In this live-action, Cannon group rendition of the classic Brothers Grimm fairytale <I>Hansel and Gretel</I>, music, drama, and suspense interweave in a captivating tale of two young children lost in the woods. Sent to pick berries by their exasperated mother (Emily Richard), Hansel (Hugh Pollard) and Gretel (Nicola Stapleton) stray from the well-worn path into the dangerous Northern Woods with nary a care; singing, dancing, and leaving a trail of cookie crumbs so they can find their way back home. Happiness soon becomes despair when the two children discover that the birds have eaten their crumbs and they're hopelessly lost in the woods. Scared and hungry, Hansel and Gretel stumble upon a gingerbread house inhabited by a seemingly kind old woman Griselda (Oscar-winner Cloris Leachman) and gorge themselves on an abundance of sweets and pastries. Pure fright replaces the children's initial glee when they discover that Griselda is really an evil witch who wants to imprison them and eat them for supper. Somehow, the children must escape from the wicked witch and reunite with their father (David Warner) and mother. Cloris Leachman is absolutely convincing as the wicked Griselda in this production and Hugh Pollard and Nicola Stapleton adeptly portray the innocence, fears, and resourcefulness of young children. (Ages 6 and older) <I>--Tami Horiuchi</I>

Reader Reviews
This movie was among my favorites as a child. The story contradicts the version known to most kids, but they serve a purpose and result in a well made movie. For instance, the stepmother in the Grimm story (although initially the mother until the change was made in later versions) is the real mother of Hansel and Gretel. In addition, the children are sent by their mother to pick berries, rather than banished to the woods so that the stepmother and father will have more to eat. Aside from these minor changes, however, the rest of the story remains intact.

Possibly the best decision made as far as production goes was putting the story to music. I am unfamiliar with the opera version of the story, but the songs fit the characters and the story, making it enjoyable and memorable.

As far as rating goes, amazon suggested this for children ages six and up. I would agree with this, but each parent should be able to judge in the case of their own child. When my sister first saw the movie (around the age of four), she had nightmares afterwards that a witch was living inside her closet. Certainly the supernatural elements are much more frightening than the idea of a mother sending her children from the house in search of food, when she realizes that they will not be able to safely find anything to eat.

I purchased two copies of this movie, one for my collection of favorites and another for a library I work at, and look forward to sharing the magic of this movie with the next generation.

Available from Amazon Price: $19.99 Updated on 5-31-2008.