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. 'Faerie Tale Theatre' puts its own magical spin on the best of the episodes while still capturing the essence of the stories.
'Rapunzel' is not one of my favourite stories but is still lovely and it's unsurprising that it's still regarded fondly. 'Faerie Tale Theatre's' adaptation of the story of 'Rapunzel' is very well done on the whole and one of the standouts of the series. "Rapunzel" is a little too drawn out to start with and some of the special effects are on the cheap side.
With all that being said, in terms of the visual look and design, "Rapunzel" on the most part is one of the series' better looking episodes. The sets are colourful and simply quaint and the costumes are a step up from the low-quality shoestring-budget quality seen in other episodes of the show. It's all very pleasingly photographed too.
Music is suitably whimsical that matches the atmosphere well. The script has a great balance of never less than amusing comedy elements without being overdone, crude or cheesy and romantic elements that are genuinely touching and never too mawkish, neither one of them overpowering the other. The magic is similarly there, as well as the agreed sexual elements that one doesn't get in some other adaptations of 'Rapunzel'.
Storytelling is always charming, and the way it's approached is perfect, playing it in as straight a way as possible, instead of being too much for laughs or too seriously, and very affectionately too. The characters are engaging, while Roddy McDowell is a warm narrator.
Gene Rowlands clearly enjoys herself as the Witch, while Shelley Duvall beguiles in the title role and she is well matched in good chemistry with Jeff Bridges' dashing Prince.
In conclusion, very good and easy to let your hair down to. 8/10 Bethany Cox