Rumpelstiltskin

Having the distinction of being announced for home video release before appearing in the theaters, this HBO/Cannon production of the famous Brothers Grimm fairy tale will be entertaining to children and easy-to- please adults. Fleshing out the story a bit (though without tinkering with the basic tale), the filmmakers have cast Amy Irving as the unfortunate maiden who must spin gold for a greedy king, and Billy Barty as the ugly dwarf whose aid Irving seeks, and who nearly costs her firstborn child. Musical numbers have added verve and spectacle to the story, and children will appreciate the audience interaction when a song requires the viewers to yell out 'Rumpelstiltskin'. Since there are few "G"-rated live action pictures made at all, we won't quibble over whether this one is good or merely passable. Recommended.(R. Pitman)[DVD Review—Sept. 6, 2005—MGM, 84 min., G, $14.95—Making its first appearance on DVD, 1987’s Rumpelstiltskin sports a nice-looking transfer and Dolby Digital surround sound, but no extras other than trailers. Bottom line: a disappointing extras package for this entry from the Cannon fairy tale series, which many remember fondly.]