The Falcon

Based on one of the best known folk tales in the former Soviet Union, and shot entirely on location in the Republic of Georgia, The Falcon is a remarkable family film. The charming and witty adaptation written by American playwright Greg Palmer features a story within a story: one night, a traveler stops at an inn where the innkeeper's sensitive, youngest daughter is having second thoughts about her pending arranged marriage. The traveler tells the story of Anna and Fenist, the falcon. When Anna's father goes on a business trip, he brings home goodies for his three daughters. In "Beauty and the Beast" fashion, two of the daughters are selfish shrews, while Anna, the youngest is pure at heart. Anna desires a falcon's feather, and when she finally receives it, she retires to her room, where the feather is magically transformed into the handsome prince, Fenist. When Fenist is driven away by the jealous sisters, Anna must "cross the nine mountains to the tenth kingdom," where she must free Fenist from the clutches of an evil queen. Gorgeously filmed in the Caucasus Mountains of Georgia, The Falcon boasts a superb script, excellent--and often hilarious--performances from the American and Soviet cast, and breathtaking locations, such as the 18th century ballroom of the former Tsarist Governor's Palace in Tbilisi. An outstanding film. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (Available from: The Children's Television Consortium, 1333 Gough St., San Francisco, CA 94109.)