Product Description

When a modern-day jack uncovers an ancient family curse he must make amends for the sins of his ancestors by traveling to a land where an immortal giant swears vengeance for all eternity. Studio: Lions Gate Home Ent. Release Date: 04/22/2003 Starring: Matthew Modine Mia Sara Run time: 184 minutes Rating: Nr

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #17188 in DVD
• Brand: Lions Gate
• Released on: 2002-02-05
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 184 minutes

Amazon.com
This ambitious miniseries begins with Jack's descendant (Matthew Modine) and works its way backward to the story of the original young man and the beanstalk. Because the first Jack used that towering vine to steal a giant's magic goose and harp, an entire world was reduced to poverty and a bloodline was cursed--all Robinson men die in their 40s, and the modern-day Jack is around that age. Fortunately, Ondine (Mia Sara), a visitor from the giant's alternative reality, has a plan. If she and Jack can recover the stolen items in time, they may be able to solve both problems. The made-for-TV movie boasts top stars (including Vanessa Redgrave and Jon Voight) and Jim Henson's Creature Shop's nifty special effects. Although children younger than 10 may find the complex narrative confusing and the implied violence scary, Jack and the Beanstalk is an inventive retelling that adds new life to an old story. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Customer Reviews

Excellent Family Movie Promoting High Moral Values
This is one of the best family DVD's I have ever seen. Not only is the story great for kids (but appropriately rated at PG because of a few scary scenes) , it is really wonderful for adults, too.

The story has been changed from the traditional Jack and the Beanstalk. The giant has been transformed into a good giant, and Jack has been transformed into a scoundrel. The story shows a modern-day good and ethical Jack, and what effects the life of his ancestor (the traditional Jack) have on his modern life. Modern Jack didn't know that the traditional story was real, and that the traditinal Jack was really his ancestor, until some events happen in his life, and he finds out. He also goes up to the giants' city in the clouds and ends up taking care of unresolved business.

It has been several weeks since I watched this 3½-hour DVD with my husband and my daughter, and I am still thinking about it. My husband, who normally enjoys action movies, reallly enjoyed it. My daughter has watched it numerous times. This is a great story which promotes good moral values for kids, and for society.

Parents need to pay more attention..
This film was rated PG....folks who complain about it not being apropriate for their small children are right. But it is their own fault for not paying attention.
Just because something is made by Hensen, and just becasue it is is based on an old fairy tale doesn't mean it is automatically for children.
Parents stop blaming the film makers and pay attention to the what the film says on its packaging!
Aside from that this film is wonderful, not at all boring as some think, but and interesting intelectual twist on a fairy tale. It was a delight to see this well acted, well filmed TV movie that truly had some heart and good storytelling to boot!
Mia Sara was excellent and the lovely twist at the end was well done and hard to see coming. I'm talking about the "True" story of Jack and his mother, not the actually ending of the film. Which was a little cliched but I belive that cliches, if done well are not always a bad thing. And the cliches in this story have more to do with the parallels to the original fable and so are not a bad thing at all.

Magical, Brilliant, and Entertaining!
I came across this DVD totally by chance on Amazon and I'm so glad I took a chance and bought it with out viewing it first! I'm very surprised that this movie has not gotten more attention, there is a great cast and a very good plot line. They took the old story of Jack and the beanstalk but warped it into the modern scene and made the audience begin to wonder, 'did it really happen?' I'm 20, and I wasn't sure what age range this movie is for, based on the reviews found here people say 'oh it's not for kids' or 'oh it's a great family movie with high morals' Well this is my own take on it, yeah there is violence and a lot of romance and kissing, maybe not something you want to show your very young children. I think that 10 year olds will enjoy and understand this movie as well as older people. I loved this movie and the main star is soooo hot! The story is complex enough for adults, yet simple morals can be learned for kids watching this movie. If you like Tenth Kingdom, Snow Queen, or any other Hallmark production buy this movie!