Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #73821 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-02-18
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• ESRB Rating: Teen
• Formats: Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 176 minutes

Amazon.com
One of the great figures of world literature, Danish author Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) is renowned for his children's tales, yet comparatively little is known of his extraordinary rise from poverty to preeminence. Hallmark Entertainment presents the story behind the storyteller, one as full of pathos as Andersen himself. In his film debut, Kieran Bew is remarkable as Andersen, an impoverished child who, at age 15, runs away to Copenhagen. Destitute, he's befriended by a wealthy benefactor, Jonas Collin (James Fox), who offers him shelter, education, and, ultimately, an audience with a publisher. As the biography unfolds, so does Andersen's brilliant imagination. The film deftly weaves snippets of his fairy tales ("The Snow Queen," "The Little Mermaid") into the real-life scenes of a man whose rise to fame is tangled with the strains of success and a tendency to believe his own fiction. An inventive script and strong ensemble cast make this a cinematic standout. (Ages 8 and older) --Lynn Gibson

Customer Reviews

Magically produced and Charmingly Acted
Kieren Bew and Emily Hamilton bring most of the emotional and acting highs to this delightful production.

The art direction and styling of this splendrous melding of Hans Christian Andersen and his memorable stories are unforgettable.

Bew brings a delightfully childlike and charmingly bubbly prescence that disarms one and allows us into the mind and true story of one of history's delightful creations.

I recommend this very highly. To those who cherish Andersen and those have not been spoiled by this present world of in-your-face theatrics and slam-bang storytelling. All is not happy in this tale. But that's life...as Hans readily admits.

The pace is free and easy. Buy it, make yourself a cup of tea and sit back. Enjoy.

Magical, but uneven film...
I take David Eberhart's point about the depressing quality that weaves its way though this movie - the front end, during his early years, being the most depressing by far.

The almost Shakespearean tragedy of mis-placed affection and obsessive love that led Andersen to pursue the wrong woman is captured well, while various fairytales are woven into the real-life a story span.

Bew is almost over the top as a wacky but gifted Andersen, although his craziness gradually diminishes as the movie progresses.

Emily Hamilton gives a heartbreakingly sweet and sensitive performance as his 'adoptive' sister, whom any man in his right mind would have married in an instant.

By the time Andersen works out that he really loved Emily's character after all, it is too late...

When it works, it works beautifully, and the cast, which includes the superb James Fox and Alison Steadman (who turns in a couple of delicious cameos) all delivered admirable performances.

Not perfect, but worth a look.

great film
This version of Hans Christian Andersen is really great. Wonderful costumes scenery and good actors and also scenery and effects. Its version for children and grownups .