Released | December 2, 2001 (part 1) December 4, 2001 (part 2) |
Duration | 184 minutes |
Director | Brian Henson |
Written by | James V. Hart, Brian Henson, Bill Barretta |
Music | Rupert Gregson-Williams |
Studio | Hallmark Entertainment |
Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story was a two part telefilm that aired on CBS in December 2001. The film, produced by The Jim Henson Company and Hallmark Entertainment, was directed by Brian Henson and featured effects by the Jim Henson Creature Shop. The first half of the film aired on CBS as a 2-hour television event on Sunday December 2, 2001; the second half aired on Tuesday, December 4, 2001. The film was released on video and DVD immediately following the television premiere.
Plot
Jack Robinson is a wealthy business man with no time for anything but work. However, a family curse is looming over him - no man in the Robinson line has lived past the age of fourty.
When a beautiful and mysterious woman, going only by the name of Ondine, corners Jack in a restaurant, she alleges that the Robinson family empire is not built on the blood, sweat and tears of his ancestors, but on the feathery back of someone named Gallaga. In an ominous tone, she warns that his time is almost up, and unless he rights the wrongs of his ancestors, he too shall suffer their fate. Jack is confused and stunned, but nonetheless interested, however the young beauty vanishes as quickly as she appeared.
However, Jack has bigger problems on his hands - the latest project for Robinson Enterprises has run into a bit of a "hiccup." While digging the foundation for a new casino, the workmen have stumbled upon some enormous bones in the ground - and they aren't from a dinosaur.
Jack goes to see an old relative, Willy who tells the Jack that the ancient fairy tale of Jack and the Beanstalk and that the fairy tale is true. Jack learns that he is a decendent from the Jack in the story.
Cast
- Matthew Modine as Jack Robinson
- Vanessa Redgrave as Countess Wilhelmina
- Mia Sara as Ondine
- Daryl Hannah as Thespee
- Jon Voight as Sigfried Manheim
- Richard Attenborough as Magog
- Bill Barretta as Thunderdell
- Brian Henson as Gallaga
- Jonathan Hyde as Dussan
- Anton Lesser as Vida
- Honor Blackman as Jules
- J.J. Field as Jack the First
- Buttercup as Milky White
- Julia McKenzie as Jack's Mum
- Cyril Shaps as The Bean Man
- James Corden as Bran
- Jim Carter as Odin
- Hon Ping Tang as Maha Calla
- Nicholas Beveney as Cernos
- Gareth Wilmot as Gargan
- Roger Blake as Thor
- Denise Worme as Nimna
- Rachel Shelley as The Harp (voice)