EVER AFTER-CINDERELLA STORY (DVD/WS/P&S) W-GIFTING O-RING DVD

Ever After
Andy Tennant directed this Cinderella variant. The Brothers Grimm arrive at the home of a wealthy Grande Dame (Jeanne Moreau) who speaks of the many legends surrounding the fable of the cinder girl before telling the "true" story of her ancestor. In flashback, the story then focuses on eight-year-old Danielle, daughter of a wealthy widower, a 16th-century landowner. After returning to France with his new wife Rodmilla (Anjelica Huston) and her two daughters, he dies of a heart attack. Ten years later, Danielle (Drew Barrymore) is now treated as a servant by the trio. Fortunately, she has an encounter with Prince Henry (Dougray Scott), who is fleeing an arranged marriage. Later, when Danielle poses as a Lady, the Prince takes an interest in her. Inventor-artist Leonardo da Vinci (Patrick Godfrey), accepting the French court's patronage, offers advice to Prince Henry on matters of the heart. George Fenton's music adds an accompaniment to the lush look of this period romance. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

Cast Drew Barrymore as Danielle Anjelica Huston as Rodmilla Dougray Scott as Prince Henry Patrick Godfrey as Leonardo da Vinci Megan Dodds as Marguerite Melanie Lynskey as Jacqueline Jeanne Moreau as Grande Dame Timothy West as King Francis Judy Parfitt as Queen Marie Jeroen Krabbé as Auguste Lee Ingleby as Gustave Kate Lansbury as Paulette Matyelok Gibbs as Louise Richard O'Brien as Pierre Le Pieu

Crew David Allday - Supervising Art Director Melissa Cobb - Associate Producer Lucinda Syson - Casting Priscilla John - Casting Timothy M. Bourne - Co-producer Kevin Reidy - Co-producer Jenny Beavan - Costume Designer Scott Printz - First Assistant Director Andy Tennant - Director Roger Bondelli - Editor George Fenton - Composer (Music Score) Michael Howells - Production Designer Andrew Dunn - Cinematographer Tracey Trench - Producer Mireille Soria - Producer Judy Farr - Set Designer Simon Kaye - Sound/Sound Designer Graeme Growther - Stunts Coordinator Andy Tennant - Screenwriter Susannah Grant - Screenwriter Rick Parks - Screenwriter Mark Taylor - ADR Recordist

Ever After
There isn't much to improve upon when dealing with a classic fairy tale, but surprisingly, this charming (if slightly overlong) update of the Cinderella story has a good deal to offer even those completely familiar with its tried and true yarn. Beautifully photographed in Super-35 on location in France, with pitch-perfect production design, Ever After succeeds in creating something with a modern bent while still retaining the core of integrity that makes its story continue to resonate. Drew Barrymore is far too contemporary for the lead role, but her effortless charisma carries the film regardless, and the supporting cast is expertly chosen, with a suitably dashing Dougray Scott and wonderfully sneer-worthy Anjelica Huston standing out among many apt performances. The movie doesn't fully capitalize on its strengths, and Andy Tennant's direction is suitable but unsurprising; still, the film is classy, straightforward entertainment and designed to please. Its video version has been rated PG, seemingly with a few trims to make it even more family friendly. ~ Jason Clark, All Movie Guide
 

(no awards)

General Specifications: Language Options: English, French Subtitle Options: English, Spanish Sound Processing: DD5.1: Dolby Digital w/ sub-woofer channel DDS2.0: Dolby Digital w/ 4 channels of sound from a 2-channel stereo mix. Additional Features: DVD Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1: Cinemascope MPAA Rating: PG13 DVD Discs Included: 1 DVD Sides: 2 DVD DVD Region Code: 1 Content Length: 100 min   DVD Chapters: Disc #1, Side A -- Ever After: A Cinderella Story 1. Once Upon a Time...(Main Titles) [5:45] 2. Papa's Final Journey [2:50] 3. The Prince and the Servant Girl [2:48] 4. "The "Family" De Ghent [:59] 5. Matters of Life and Death [3:06] 6. Comtesse Nicole De Lancret [3:38] 7. The Unwilling Heir [:10] 8. In Trouble [7:14] 9. The Baroness Plots [:28] 10. A Dip With Da Vinci [6:29] 11. The Wealthy "Benefactor" [1:06] 12. Your Father's Eyes [:05] 13. The Prince Comes to Visit [3:03] 14. Marguerite Makes Her Move [2:16] 15. The Gypsies [2:28] 16. Hypnotized [4:35] 17. Rodmilla's Revenge [2:11] 18. Our Cousin Cinderella [3:09] 19. Love Among the Ruins [:53] 20. The Missing Gown [1:37] 21. Go to Da Vinci... [2:17] 22. Just Breathe... [4:38] 23. The Slippers [2:55] 24. The Baroness Solves Her Problem [2:43] 25. The Reluctant Bride [:38] 26. The Property of Le Pieu [3:05] 27. My Match in Every Way [2:43] 28. The Prince's Wife [1:17] 29. Happily Ever After [1:52] 30. End Titles (Put Your Arms Around Me) [2:18] Disc #1, Side B -- Ever After: A Cinderella Story 1. Once Upon a Time...(Main Titles) [5:45] 2. Papa's Final Journey [2:50] 3. The Prince and the Servant Girl [2:48] 4. "The "Family" De Ghent [:59] 5. Matters of Life and Death [3:06] 6. Comtesse Nicole De Lancret [3:38] 7. The Unwilling Heir [:10] 8. In Trouble [7:14] 9. The Baroness Plots [:28] 10. A Dip With Da Vinci [6:29] 11. The Wealthy "Benefactor" [1:06] 12. Your Father's Eyes [:05] 13. The Prince Comes to Visit [3:03] 14. Marguerite Makes Her Move [2:16] 15. The Gypsies [2:28] 16. Hypnotized [4:35] 17. Rodmilla's Revenge [2:11] 18. Our Cousin Cinderella [3:09] 19. Love Among the Ruins [:53] 20. The Missing Gown [1:37] 21. Go to Da Vinci... [2:17] 22. Just Breathe... [4:38] 23. The Slippers [2:55] 24. The Baroness Solves Her Problem [2:43] 25. The Reluctant Bride [:38] 26. The Property of Le Pieu [3:05] 27. My Match in Every Way [2:43] 28. The Prince's Wife [1:17] 29. Happily Ever After [1:52] 30. End Titles (Put Your Arms Around Me) [2:18]