Product Description

At the edge of the mortal world lies a mystical vortex which leads to the Nine Kingdoms a fantastic land where fairy tales are reinvented... and not with happily-ever-after results! An evil queen (Dianne Wiest) has just doomed Prince Wendell (Daniel Lapaine) to life as a dog. His quest to recapture the throne leads him through a portal to the mythical Tenth Kingdom... Central Park! With the help of ordinary mortals Virginia (Kimberly Williams) and Tony (John Larroquette) they battle evil in a parallel universe of vile trolls goblins and every fairy tale character imaginable. Stunning visual effects and a stellar cast include Scott Cohen Rutger Hauer Camryn Manheim and Ed O'Neill dominates this epic adventure that will enchant audiences of all ages.System Requirements:Starring: Ann-Margret Scott Cohen Rutger Hauer John Larroquette Camryn Manheim and Ed O'Neill Directed By: David Carson and Herbert Wise Running Time: 417 minutes Color Presented in "Standard" formatFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: CHILDREN/FAMILY Rating: NR UPC: 707729127185 Manufacturer No: 12718

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #858 in DVD
• Brand: Lions Gate
• Released on: 2002-05-28
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Full Screen, Color, Dolby, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 3
• Dimensions: .40 pounds
• Running time: 417 minutes

Amazon.com
This epic 10-hour miniseries from the Emmy-winning writer of Gulliver's Travels was a ratings bust on television, but on video and DVD, where it can be enjoyed at one's leisure, it has a better chance to cast its magical spell. Kimberly Williams has never been more enchanting than as Virginia, a waitress who still lives with her janitor father (John Larroquette) and yearns for something exciting to happen to her. Her wish comes true when she and her father are transported from New York City into a dimension that, with apologies to Rod Serling, can only be called the Fairy Tale Zone; nine kingdoms populated by characters from fairy tales of yore. They team up with a dog who's really a prince--Wendell, grandson of Snow White--changed into canine form by the evil Queen (Dianne Wiest), who plots to usurp Wendell's throne. Father, daughter, and his royal dogness are relentlessly pursued through the nine kingdoms by the Troll King (Ed O'Neill) and his three bumbling and horrible children, and the conflicted Wolf (Scott Cohen), who is allied with the Queen but, with the aid of some Oprah-esque self-help books, tames his inner beast and falls in love with Virginia. The 10th Kingdom is a special effects extravaganza. There is indeed, as one character marvels, magic to behold here. But despite the Hallmark brand name and the presence of a grown-up Snow White (Camryn Manheim) and Cinderella (Ann-Margret), bewitched animals, magic mirrors, and trolls, this is not kid's stuff. It can get scary, surprisingly violent, and quite intense; you know, just like real fairy tales. --Donald Liebenson

Customer Reviews

Complex Epic Fantasy
Until the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy this movie was the most complex fantasy ever attempted. In some ways the story does ramble, but the intricate elements are woven together so coherently that they smoothly fit into the quest undertaken by the principal characters.

Virginia and Tony Lewis (Kimberly Williams and John Larroquette) live in a New York apartment. One day a dog enters Virginia's life. However, the dog is not just any ordinary dog, but Prince Wendell (Daniel Lapaine) changed into a dog by an evil Queen (Dianne Wiest). Soon trolls enter the story along with magic, and the story begins.

Virginia and Tony travel through a magic mirror into the land of the nine kingdoms (with New York being the 10th kingdom. It takes Virginia and Tony little time to realize that the world they have entered has very different rules from their own. Their goal is to find a mirror that will allow them to travel back to their own world, and the quest for the mirror forms the heart of the story.

Along the way both Virginia and Tony, but most especially Virginia, are on a voyage of discovery about themselves. Through a series of vignettes they learn the history of the nine kingdoms, and learn there are mysteries related to that history. One of the most startling revelations is that Virginia and Tony are somehow involved in the nine kingdoms, but it's not until we get well into the movie that we understand the nature of their involvement.

The plot is generally coherent and I had little trouble keeping track of the parallel stories. I admit that there were a few things that confused me when I watched the story in its original television debut, but my confusion was cleared up by watching the DVD version without the commercials and all in one 7+ hour sitting.

The acting talent in this movie is phenomenal. Rutger Hauer plays the Queen's woodsman, with his own poignant story. Warwick Davis is Acorn, a criminal with a tongue-in-cheek character. Ed O'Neil is perfect as Relish the Troll King. Scott Cohen as Wolf took a little getting used to, but once I realized how he fit into the story I enjoyed his antics and characterization. Camryn Manheim makes an interesting Snow White. Ann-Margret brings class to Queen Cinderella. This list is but a fraction of the cast possible by the epic nature of this movie.

The story is an adult fairy tale. There is violence in the movie as well as a number of intense scenes that are likely inappropriate for children below the age of 7 or 8. However, for everyone else this movie is fun and complicated. If you enjoy fantasy, and you can be open-minded about how fantasy is approached, this movie could be perfect for you.

Perfect! The Best TV Miniseries Yet
This movie was so incredibly well done. The cast was superb , the special effects were so unbelievable , the settings were magical and gorgeous. I'm a 13-yr-old girl, and this movie captured my soul and left me craving for more. Wolf , played by Scott Cohen , was the best part of the entire movie. He had class, was able to pull of a truly magnificent part of a half man half wolf. Not to mention that he was so handsome. The story takes place in the 9 kingdoms, you'll have to watch it to understand that better, formed by Cinderella, Snow White and Little Red Riding Hood. Virginia, a girl from Manhatten, is pulled into the kingdoms by traveling mirrors and is sent on a journey with her father, Wolf, and a dog that can talk ( I know it sounds cheesy but you have to watch it, really ). Throughout the journey their goal is to retrieve the mirror so they can return to New York, but as they come closer to the mirror it becomes harder to get. They have to enter contests and raise money to get a grasp on the mirror, but all the while a magical love story unfolds between Wolf and Virginia, making it more complicated. The movie progresses and mystery, magic, fantasy, love, humor and more are woven together to make one of the best movies I myself have ever seen. If you buy one movie at this site, make it this one, you'll never regret it.

The 10th Kingdom- A Review
This movie is absolutely fantastic! It is the perfect mixture of comedy, action and fantasy. Wolf, half- man and half- wolf, definitely steals the show, but the rest of the cast is great, as well. The story revolves around Virginia (Kimberely Williams), her father, Tony (John Larroquette), and Wolf (Scott Cohen) trying to save the Nine Kingdoms and restore Prince Wendell, who is now a dog thanks to the evil Queen (Diane Weist), to his throne. What results is a breathtaking adventure which makes you hold your breath and laugh out loud at the same time. Scott Cohen plays Wolf to perfection and John Larroquette is brillantly funny as usual, constantly lamenting about the weird ways of the Nine Kingdoms. "What is it with you people?" He finally cries out. This movie is definitely worth its incredible length- 10 hours. If you don't buy it, borrow it from a friend!