This TV film produced as a mini-series in time for the 1985 Christmas season may have set and still hold a record for having the most movie stars of the time in it. And, but for the young Natalie Gregory who plays Alice, every other person - all the big-time names of stage and screen of the day are in supporting roles - several with just cameo appearances. Besides that distinction, this "Alice and Wonderland" is the splashiest production of the Lewis Carrol fairy tales with live actors.
This is a very good production, although it appears to deviate some in places from Carroll's stories, "Alice's Adventure in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking-Glass." That's partly understandable when one considers the improbability of being able to have actors representing various playing cards who are then bowled over as with a dominoes effect. And, there are other differences in some of the characters and settings from the stories, and from the best animated version by Walt Disney in 1951.
Whether or not one likes fairy tales, anyone who's a movie buff should enjoy seeing some of the great actors of the mid to late 20th century in the often humorous costumes and makeup for their various roles. Red Buttons does a sort of short fast step for The White Rabbit as he scurries and hurries about. Some of the funniest roles and/or caricatures are Telly Savalas as The Cheshire Cat, Ringo Starr as The Mock Turtle, Jack Warden as The Owl, and Karl Malden as The Walrus. But there are many more that will bring smiles to adult faces.
Now, as for the kiddies, I don't think this is a very good film for the very young. And, that's somewhat true of all renditions of Alice, because some of the characters and short scenes can be scary to little ones (the Cheshire Cat, for instance). As for older kids, this may be hard to sit through in one viewing. I had to split the three hours up between two days myself. And for as cute as she is, and very capable in her role, Natalie Gregory as Alice once in a while seems a little nasty or sassy herself.
This is a good film to watch once, but not something for the film library. The makeup and costume staffs had their work cut out for them with this film. They probably had quite a bit of fun doing up some of these actors and actresses. Here are a couple of lines from this film.
The Queen of Hearts, "Didn't I tell you this morning that heads would roll?" King of Hearts, "Yes, indeed you did, dear. But, you know, it's an extraordinary thing. Heads do not roll as they used to. Nowadays they just plunk down on the ground and stay there."
The White Queen, "Tuppence a week and jam every other day." Alice, "I don't want you to hire me, and I didn't come for jam." White Queen, "Well, it's very good jaaaaam." (sic) Alice, "Well, I don't want any today any way." White Queen, "You couldn't have it if you did want it. The rule is, 'Jam tomorrow, jam yesterday, but never jam today.'" Alice, "Is not ever sometime, to jam today?" White Queen: No, it can't. It's jam every other day. Today isn't any other day, you know?"
This is a very good production, although it appears to deviate some in places from Carroll's stories, "Alice's Adventure in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking-Glass." That's partly understandable when one considers the improbability of being able to have actors representing various playing cards who are then bowled over as with a dominoes effect. And, there are other differences in some of the characters and settings from the stories, and from the best animated version by Walt Disney in 1951.
Whether or not one likes fairy tales, anyone who's a movie buff should enjoy seeing some of the great actors of the mid to late 20th century in the often humorous costumes and makeup for their various roles. Red Buttons does a sort of short fast step for The White Rabbit as he scurries and hurries about. Some of the funniest roles and/or caricatures are Telly Savalas as The Cheshire Cat, Ringo Starr as The Mock Turtle, Jack Warden as The Owl, and Karl Malden as The Walrus. But there are many more that will bring smiles to adult faces.
Now, as for the kiddies, I don't think this is a very good film for the very young. And, that's somewhat true of all renditions of Alice, because some of the characters and short scenes can be scary to little ones (the Cheshire Cat, for instance). As for older kids, this may be hard to sit through in one viewing. I had to split the three hours up between two days myself. And for as cute as she is, and very capable in her role, Natalie Gregory as Alice once in a while seems a little nasty or sassy herself.
This is a good film to watch once, but not something for the film library. The makeup and costume staffs had their work cut out for them with this film. They probably had quite a bit of fun doing up some of these actors and actresses. Here are a couple of lines from this film.
The Queen of Hearts, "Didn't I tell you this morning that heads would roll?" King of Hearts, "Yes, indeed you did, dear. But, you know, it's an extraordinary thing. Heads do not roll as they used to. Nowadays they just plunk down on the ground and stay there."
The White Queen, "Tuppence a week and jam every other day." Alice, "I don't want you to hire me, and I didn't come for jam." White Queen, "Well, it's very good jaaaaam." (sic) Alice, "Well, I don't want any today any way." White Queen, "You couldn't have it if you did want it. The rule is, 'Jam tomorrow, jam yesterday, but never jam today.'" Alice, "Is not ever sometime, to jam today?" White Queen: No, it can't. It's jam every other day. Today isn't any other day, you know?"