There is a lot to like about the 'Faerie Tale Theatre' series. Many of their adaptations of various well-known and well-loved fairy tales are charming, clever and sometimes funny, a few even emotionally moving. 'Faerie Tale Theatre' puts its own magical spin on the best of the episodes while still capturing the essence of the stories.
Another thing, that wasn't said in my reviews for the previous episodes, and that is a huge part of 'Faerie Tale Theatre's' charm, is seeing talented performers either in early roles or in roles that are somewhat of a departure to usual. Up until this particular point in the series, so from "The Tale of the Frog Prince" to this, to me there wasn't a bad episode (and in the series in general even the weakest ones still have merits). Some may disagree, as "The Nightingale" is somewhat divisive, was one of the people who liked it while acknowledging its faults.
"Sleeping Beauty" is another very good episode, not one of my favourites from 'Faerie Tale Theatre', but, based on a slight (not uncommon in fairy-tales) but lovely and deservedly popular story, very entertaining and immensely talented.
Not to say that "Sleeping Beauty" isn't flawed. Its weakest element is the script, a good deal is a lot of fun and quite daring for back then but some of the campy humour falls flat and some of the innuendos do go overboard and don't really gel in this particular story or, with a couple of exceptions, the show in general in a series that fares much better (as with fairy-tales) when played straight.
"Sleeping Beauty", on the other hand, has very little otherwise that's wrong. It is one of the better-looking 'Faerie Tale Theatre' episodes, most of which actually don't look too bad considering its low budget, other than at times for 'Faerie Tale Theatre' overall shoestring budget costumes, a few instances of too ghoulish make-up or cheap effects, scenery/sets and photography have very rarely been a problem if ever. "Sleeping Beauty" is lavishly mounted and have none of the mentioned visual faults that can be seen in a few episodes before and since.
Music score is gentle and energetic, while there is fun to be had in the script and the story does not suffer from pacing issues (not a moment of dullness in sight) and tells the story with charm.
Casting is very good, a few unlikely choices on paper but all come off well. Bernadette Peters looks radiant and charms considerably in the title role and she has believable chemistry with Christopher Reeve, who is dashing and has fun as the Prince. Beverly D'Angelo is clearly enjoying herself and her villain Henbane drips with evil, quite rightly too. All the supporting cast play entertaining roles with gusto.
In summary, charming, fun and beautiful, definitely worth watching and in no way skip-able. 8/10 Bethany Cox
Another thing, that wasn't said in my reviews for the previous episodes, and that is a huge part of 'Faerie Tale Theatre's' charm, is seeing talented performers either in early roles or in roles that are somewhat of a departure to usual. Up until this particular point in the series, so from "The Tale of the Frog Prince" to this, to me there wasn't a bad episode (and in the series in general even the weakest ones still have merits). Some may disagree, as "The Nightingale" is somewhat divisive, was one of the people who liked it while acknowledging its faults.
"Sleeping Beauty" is another very good episode, not one of my favourites from 'Faerie Tale Theatre', but, based on a slight (not uncommon in fairy-tales) but lovely and deservedly popular story, very entertaining and immensely talented.
Not to say that "Sleeping Beauty" isn't flawed. Its weakest element is the script, a good deal is a lot of fun and quite daring for back then but some of the campy humour falls flat and some of the innuendos do go overboard and don't really gel in this particular story or, with a couple of exceptions, the show in general in a series that fares much better (as with fairy-tales) when played straight.
"Sleeping Beauty", on the other hand, has very little otherwise that's wrong. It is one of the better-looking 'Faerie Tale Theatre' episodes, most of which actually don't look too bad considering its low budget, other than at times for 'Faerie Tale Theatre' overall shoestring budget costumes, a few instances of too ghoulish make-up or cheap effects, scenery/sets and photography have very rarely been a problem if ever. "Sleeping Beauty" is lavishly mounted and have none of the mentioned visual faults that can be seen in a few episodes before and since.
Music score is gentle and energetic, while there is fun to be had in the script and the story does not suffer from pacing issues (not a moment of dullness in sight) and tells the story with charm.
Casting is very good, a few unlikely choices on paper but all come off well. Bernadette Peters looks radiant and charms considerably in the title role and she has believable chemistry with Christopher Reeve, who is dashing and has fun as the Prince. Beverly D'Angelo is clearly enjoying herself and her villain Henbane drips with evil, quite rightly too. All the supporting cast play entertaining roles with gusto.
In summary, charming, fun and beautiful, definitely worth watching and in no way skip-able. 8/10 Bethany Cox
