Product: The Slipper and the Rose: The Story of Cinderella [VHS] (1977)
Rating: 2.0
More a formal play than a movie.
I liked the 5-star, musicals "Maytime", "Naughty Marietta", and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang". There was more life in the low-budget, 3-star, musical, "Rumpelstiltskin" with Amy Irving.This film has lots of songs, but none make you want to sing along. There are a few pleasant songs that are relaxing. There are also songs by other actors, such as the king, who are not singers, and have no business singing. There is some pleasant humor by the fairy-godmother, but her deadpan humor is not exploited, because Cinderella has no reactions. The attempts at humor by the king and his Court earlier-on fall flat, and so by the time you get to the better humor by the fairy-godmother; you are jaded. The huge interior of the castle is too sparsely furnished giving a cold and lonely feeling. The king looks to be on a meager budget. They should have used a smaller set that was packed with interest. The dialogue is very formal and without personality. The dancing looks staged rather than fun. The producer lacked imagination, romance, a good sense of humor, intrigue, drama, and excitement. Not a character actor in the lot. Feels more like a play than a movie. A good Cinderella movie has yet to be made. Women may be able to imagine this better than it is. This may be a chick-flick that I just cannot relate to. Available on DVD at Brazilian-Cinema dot comm for $20 plus $4 shipping.