Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story
A reimagined fairy tale exploring guilt and redemption.
Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story is a 2001 American television miniseries directed by Brian Henson and co-produced by Hallmark Entertainment and The Jim Henson Company. Based on the classic English tale, the story was reworked to reflect a more ethical, humanist perspective. The cast includes Matthew Modine, Mia Sara, Jon Voight, Vanessa Redgrave, Richard Attenborough, Daryl Hannah, and James Corden.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Drama
- Adventure
- Fantasy
- Story
- James V. Hart; Brian Henson
- Writer
- James V. Hart
- Brian Henson
- Bill Barretta
- Director
- Brian Henson
- Starring
- Matthew Modine
- Mia Sara
- Jon Voight
- Vanessa Redgrave
- Richard Attenborough
- Daryl Hannah
- James Corden
- JJ Feild
- Narrator
- Vanessa Redgrave
- Composer
- Rupert Gregson-Williams
- Country
- United States
Facts from the source article.
Plot
Jack Robinson, wealthy CEO of a worldwide company, experiences recurring dreams of his father being chased by a giant. No Robinson male has lived past 40. During construction, workers unearth a giant skeleton. A woman named Ondine appears, accuses Jack of murder, and vanishes. That night, Jack is taken to his great-aunt Wilhelmina, who tells him the traditional fairy tale and gives him the last magic bean. She suggests the tale may be false and that answers lie at the top of the beanstalk.
Cast
Matthew Modine plays Jack Robinson, the fifteenth-generation descendant of the original Jack, portrayed as a good and honest man. Mia Sara is Ondine, a woman raised by the giant Thunderdell after losing her parents; her heart hardened after the original Jack betrayed her. Vanessa Redgrave plays Countess Wilhelmina, the original Jack's mother and Thunderdell's actual murderer, cursed with immortality. JJ Feild appears as the original Jack Robinson, a poor con-man who stole the harp and goose, leading to the Robinson curse. Daryl Hannah plays Thespee, a kind giantess once worshiped by Norse people. Anton Lesser plays Vidas Merlinis, a scientist who later directs the Robinson fortune toward ending world hunger. Richard Attenborough portrays Magog, the wise leader of the giants. Bill Barretta plays Thunderdell, the kind-hearted giant. Jim Carter plays Odin, a one-eyed giant with blue hair, hot-tempered and accusatory.
Origin
CBS executive Michael Wright proposed a Jack and the Beanstalk miniseries. Brian Henson initially refused but reconsidered when allowed to alter the story. He worked with screenwriter James V. Hart, who had collaborated on Muppet Treasure Island. Henson came to hate the original tale, calling its morality poor and tied to empire building. The story was set in the present, with Jack Robinson journeying to the giants' land to right his family's wrongs. Henson described the theme as sharing responsibility to bring balance. The resulting story was darker; Henson said it was not for children alone but suitable for adults to watch with children.
Production
Jim Henson's Creature Shop handled special and visual effects, branching into computer animation, compositing, and matte painting while also creating animatronic characters. Over 400 effects shots were used. A practical 20-foot beanstalk section was built for Matthew Modine to climb, while CGI created the full beanstalk. The Creature Shop and Visual Effects Supervisor Julian Parry created Harmonia, a fully computer-generated talking statue. Originally a live actress was considered, but CGI was chosen to make the character appear magical. Animatronic characters included a puppeteered goose and a head for the giant Cernos. All giants were played by regular-sized actors composited to appear larger, with slowed movements. The approach aimed to use the most appropriate technique for each element.
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