Product Description

The Slipper and the Rose is a grand musical adventure in the tradition of The Sound of Music and My Fair Lady. This lavish production features Richard Chamberlain in a spirited retelling of the classic Cinderella fairy tale, and the Academy Award-nominated score is provided by the Oscar-winning song-writing duo the Sherman Brothers (Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang). The Slipper and the Rose is a brilliant mix of fantasy and realism that will enchant viewers of all ages. No musical collection would be complete without this romantically delightful film. Audio commentary by director Bryan Forbes (The Stepford Wives, King Rat). Video interview with the Sherman Brothers. Promotional featurette--Cinderella Story: The Making of "The Slipper and the Rose." Available for the first time on home video in its complete, full-length version. 143 minutes. AC-3 Soundtrack. 16x9 anamorphic widescreen transfer.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #64680 in DVD
• Released on: 2000-05-02
• Rating: G (General Audience)
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Color, Dolby, DVD, Special Edition, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 143 minutes

Amazon.com
You know the story: Cinderella rides in a magical pumpkin to the ball, enchants the prince, and flees at midnight. He finds her slipper and tracks her down, and they live happily ever after. But wait! In The Slipper and the Rose, it turns out there's more to the life of a prince than being charming. The king prefers to choose the prince's wife, one of proper social station who would provide a strong political alliance to ward off the kingdom's enemies. That's one of the twists in this 1976 British take on the classic fairy tale, one of a long line of musical versions.

The disgruntled prince, who's as much of a focal point here as the lady with the footwear, is played by Richard Chamberlain, during the years when he was taking on the classics and had not yet been crowned king of the TV miniseries. He displays a pleasant voice opposite Gemma Craven as Cinderella, and veteran character actor Michael Hordern as the king leads the supporting ensemble. Add lavish sets and lush scenery (partially filmed in Austria), humor, fun choreography, and an Oscar-nominated score full of charming songs by Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman (veterans of such Disney movies as Mary Poppins and The Jungle Book, and who also cowrote the script with director Bryan Forbes), and you have a grand, engaging family musical. The 143-minute running time and dreamy, deliberate pace might test the patience of antsy viewers, but this is the first time The Slipper and the Rose has been available on video in its uncut version, and its legion of fans wouldn't have it any other way. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews

The richest "Cinderella" movie ever made
This has long been my favorite movie ever made. As a lover of fairy tales, it sparked my interest immediately, and as a girl my favorite fairy tale of all was "Cinderella."

Here, the Sherman Brothers (writers of "Mary Poppins") have brought this classic story to a whole new level. The richness of this tale is unsurpassed. In spite of its being fairly cheesy (hardly surprising in a fairy tale, after all) it is also wonderfully charming. The story is expanded excellently, and this new release of it includes never-before-seen footage as well. The added footage was wonderful, I was so upset that they had actually left it OUT! There are even two new songs that were not in the original release, and a couple of other songs are expanded.

The music is breathtaking and sometimes downright haunting (as in the case of "Tell Him Anything" or "I Can't Forget the Melody"), the cinematography is gorgeous, and the costumes are simply unbelievable! I wanted to be in that movie if only for the sake of those scrumptious costumes! ;-)

For the lover of the musical, or simply a lover of fairy tales, this is the best of them all.

"Suddenly it happens, and the dream comes true!"
"Wonderfully, beautifully it happens and your world is new," says Cinderella in this long awaited film, which is FINALLY being released in its entirety -- the full length, British version! This wonderful, lavish musical of the story of Cinderella, stars Richard Chamberlain as the Prince, Gemma Craven as Cinderella, and a wonderful cast including Annette Crosbie, Michael Hordern, Christopher Gable, Kenneth More, Margaret Lockwood, and Dame Edith Evans. The musical score is brilliantly written by the incomparable Sherman Brothers, who also co-wrote the script with Director Bryan Forbes. This is a great film for all ages, and sure to be a perfect addition to your movie collection.

ALSO INCLUDED on the DVD are an audio commentary by director Bryan Forbes, a video interview with the Sherman Brothers, and a promotional featurette -- "Cinderella Story: The Making of 'The Slipper and the Rose".

Truly Magical & Romantic Movie - Best Cinderella Ever!!!
I first saw that movie when I was in second grade and I remember putting "Gemma Craven" (the actress, who plays Cinderella) as my "Favorite Actress" in my diary. I have seen this movie so many times now and I can watch it over and over again... The music is amazing (by the Sherman Brothers, who also wrote "Mary Poppins" and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"). The story is so detailed and realistic for those times and full of humor and subtle irony. Everytime I watch that movie I find another detail that makes me smile - it is definitely not only for children, but also for adults with a big heart. It was produced with a love to detail. The costumes and the scenery are truly magical and splendid. There are no words to really describe the beauty of them. The dancing scenes are wonderfully choreographed and danced. The actors not only play their roles - they ARE them. I would not change one single actor - they all are so unique and could not have been chosen better: I love the slightly confused King, the wicked but stylish Stepmother, the loveable Fairy Godmother and of course Richard Chamberlain as the charming Prince and Gemma Craven as the beautiful and touching Cinderella. I can unconditionally recommend that movie. I have seen most Cinderella movies (old and new, musical and fairy tale, ballet versions etc.) and this is my most favorite!