My sister and I watched this non-stop as kids. (Recorded from tv onto a vhs as per most 80s kid obsessions.) I'm scared to rewatch it now, I'm case I ruin it... but it was definitely one of my favourite things ever.
8 Reviews
I watched this non-stop as a kid
ella45123 December 2020
Rarely Told Story
rachelrachel-3343130 December 2021
The last 'Faerie Tale Theatre' episode, also one of the series' best
TheLittleSongbird3 July 2017
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 (whether playing for laughs or straight), also adding elements and embellishing what already exists which gives the characters for example more depth, on the best of the episodes while still capturing the essence of the stories, while also giving further enjoyments in seeing talented performers in early roles or in roles that are departures from their usual roles.
Significant for being the last episode of 'Faerie Tale Theatre', "The Dancing Princesses" is, along with the likes of "Hansel and Gretel", "The Boy Who Left Home to Find Out About the Shivers", "The Princess and the Pea", "The Three Little Pigs", "The Snow Queen", "Rumpelstiltskin", "The Pied Piper of Hamelin", "Little Red Riding Hood", "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" and "Cinderella", one of the best episodes. While still above average, to me the only disappointments were "The Princess Who Had Never Laughed" and "Rip Van Winkle", with the still decent to pretty good "Puss in Boots", "Pinocchio", "Beauty and the Beast", "The Nightingale" and "Jack and the Beanstalk" also being lesser episodes.
"The Dancing Princesses" weak link is the costumes which did look hindered by budget, being rather plain in design and drab in colour. That is pretty much the only real wrong thing about the episode. Elsewhere visually, the interior and exterior sets are attractive enough and it's well photographed with all limitations being taken into account.
Other great elements are a sweeping music dance that makes one want to dance along with the princesses, and a sparkling witty script with lines that will make one laugh out loud. The romantic elements of the story are both adorable and touching, and there are no pacing longueurs. Parts are likely to make one well up with sadness.
A good cast helps and "The Dancing Princesses" does, great even. Taking acting honours is a truly charming Lesley Ann Warren at perhaps her most luminous. Roy Dotrice brings noble gravitas to the king, while Peter Weller, sharing sweet chemistry with Warren, is a likable soldier. The other princesses are also fun.
In summary, one of the best episodes of 'Faerie Tale Theatre'. 9/10 Bethany Cox
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 (whether playing for laughs or straight), also adding elements and embellishing what already exists which gives the characters for example more depth, on the best of the episodes while still capturing the essence of the stories, while also giving further enjoyments in seeing talented performers in early roles or in roles that are departures from their usual roles.
Significant for being the last episode of 'Faerie Tale Theatre', "The Dancing Princesses" is, along with the likes of "Hansel and Gretel", "The Boy Who Left Home to Find Out About the Shivers", "The Princess and the Pea", "The Three Little Pigs", "The Snow Queen", "Rumpelstiltskin", "The Pied Piper of Hamelin", "Little Red Riding Hood", "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" and "Cinderella", one of the best episodes. While still above average, to me the only disappointments were "The Princess Who Had Never Laughed" and "Rip Van Winkle", with the still decent to pretty good "Puss in Boots", "Pinocchio", "Beauty and the Beast", "The Nightingale" and "Jack and the Beanstalk" also being lesser episodes.
"The Dancing Princesses" weak link is the costumes which did look hindered by budget, being rather plain in design and drab in colour. That is pretty much the only real wrong thing about the episode. Elsewhere visually, the interior and exterior sets are attractive enough and it's well photographed with all limitations being taken into account.
Other great elements are a sweeping music dance that makes one want to dance along with the princesses, and a sparkling witty script with lines that will make one laugh out loud. The romantic elements of the story are both adorable and touching, and there are no pacing longueurs. Parts are likely to make one well up with sadness.
A good cast helps and "The Dancing Princesses" does, great even. Taking acting honours is a truly charming Lesley Ann Warren at perhaps her most luminous. Roy Dotrice brings noble gravitas to the king, while Peter Weller, sharing sweet chemistry with Warren, is a likable soldier. The other princesses are also fun.
In summary, one of the best episodes of 'Faerie Tale Theatre'. 9/10 Bethany Cox
One of the best Faerie Tale Theatre productions
Liza-1919 October 2001
I have always loved this movie, and I always will. I first saw it when I was four, and I fell in love with it. It's beautifully done, and the actors are all clearly enjoying themselves. Of course it has its problems, the costumes in particular perhaps, but it's just fun and very enjoyable. Peter Weller is adorable as the soldier, Lesley Ann Warren is just her usual lovable self, and Roy Dotrice seems to be having the time of his life!
Wonderful
pie-in-a-bed-of-raw-onio8 April 2007
Warning: Spoilers
When I was little, my mother told me every day after lunch that I could either take a nap or watch a movie. Being predisposed to dislike naps, I always watched a movie. And it was always this movie.
I still sometimes watch it, and I still know the entire text by heart. I know, I know, pathetic. But it's a really great movie. This is probably what started my love for fairy tale re-tellings, because it isn't just your typical glossing-over-everything Grimm or your sickeningly-sweet Disney (those people can really get me upset). It's like real life.
"Bills, bills, bills, nothing but bills! Two thousand franks for oranges? Why they'd like to squeeze me dry!" (From the king) Is a typical phrasing, with a lot of humor and barely any cliché, which is hard to avoid in fairy tales. Also, the humorizing of an actually relatively serious text, like when the sisters are saying their prayers, where the movement and acting proved that "God bless our father, our lord..." "Our mother, in heaven doth sleep..." "God bless Grampa Igor and Grandma Myrtle..." "God bless us sisters..." "And safetiness keep" "God bless everybody and everything everywhere!" was more making sure the King was no longer at the door than actual praying.
Peter Weller and Lesley Ann Warren were convincing in the fact that it was not love at first sight, as she proved with her, "I have no patience for hearts and flowers and young men who brag about this victory and that. There's more to life than romance." I did always find Snow White's grounds for marrying slightly dubious...
In total, a movie worth seeing if you like fairy tales and wit.
I still sometimes watch it, and I still know the entire text by heart. I know, I know, pathetic. But it's a really great movie. This is probably what started my love for fairy tale re-tellings, because it isn't just your typical glossing-over-everything Grimm or your sickeningly-sweet Disney (those people can really get me upset). It's like real life.
"Bills, bills, bills, nothing but bills! Two thousand franks for oranges? Why they'd like to squeeze me dry!" (From the king) Is a typical phrasing, with a lot of humor and barely any cliché, which is hard to avoid in fairy tales. Also, the humorizing of an actually relatively serious text, like when the sisters are saying their prayers, where the movement and acting proved that "God bless our father, our lord..." "Our mother, in heaven doth sleep..." "God bless Grampa Igor and Grandma Myrtle..." "God bless us sisters..." "And safetiness keep" "God bless everybody and everything everywhere!" was more making sure the King was no longer at the door than actual praying.
Peter Weller and Lesley Ann Warren were convincing in the fact that it was not love at first sight, as she proved with her, "I have no patience for hearts and flowers and young men who brag about this victory and that. There's more to life than romance." I did always find Snow White's grounds for marrying slightly dubious...
In total, a movie worth seeing if you like fairy tales and wit.
Omg so much nostalgia!
Ladyxinfinity22 May 2020
I loved this show when I was a kid, this episode specifically. It's sad that this series isn't as well known today. Such great performances and family friendly viewing, not a single Swear word or innuendo. It's amazing that content so squeaky clean can still be so entertaining. Love it.
This movie is kooky fun.
cobcobb22 October 2001
Ya'll, this here movie has literally changed my life. The "cobbler" in this movie is the reason my nickname is cob, so you just ponder that the next time you're watching it. BUT, that is entirely besides the point. The Fairy Tale Theatre series specializes in (common-dit-on?) FROMAGE!! (in laymen's terms, that would be CHEESE!!). This movie is cheesey. Totally. The best part is when the director tries to get really fancy, and starts shooting in between people's heads and stuff. It's funny when that happens. The dancing princesses are, i'm sorry to say, not very attractive (except of course the lovely leslie-ann warren) and the costumes are simply horrid. i mean really, they're princesses but they only get one dress each?? BUT, i did give this movie a 9, and that is because in my childhood it brought me much joy (and of course pain; heaven knows how that nickname upset me as a child) and any fan of the series will enjoy this one.
those hairstyles are driving me crazy
antiallamericangirl14 April 2024
This was a cute episode! The Daughters are so cute the twins and Loretta were my favorite. I am not too familiar with the fairytale I'm not sure if the soldier exist in the original story I'm too lazy to do research! But the point is that the soldier Who is poor is a lot wiser and more open-minded than the princes.
I did not like the daughters hairstyles I was hoping they changed their hairstyles. The costumes weren't that good either. I'm not so sure what the budget of the show was but when I first heard the show I thought the budget would've been pretty high you know with all the celebrities in it! But still charming.
I did not like the daughters hairstyles I was hoping they changed their hairstyles. The costumes weren't that good either. I'm not so sure what the budget of the show was but when I first heard the show I thought the budget would've been pretty high you know with all the celebrities in it! But still charming.
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