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Short summary

Cinderella (named Zezolla) and her family live mid 20th century, where fashion is practically everything. As her father is won over by a selfish woman named Claudette, Cinderella must keep her new step-mother from murdering the only family she has left. Add in an anti-social mermaid literally living in a cave, a bored prince with an ear for rock n' roll, and the glamour of the 1950's and one'll find that this story can't grow old.

This film is one of four versions featuring Lucy Punch as Cinderella's evil stepsister; the other three versions are Võlutud Ella (2004), Fairy Tales: Cinderella (2008), and Sügavasse laande (2014).

The stepsisters are named Goneril and Regan, after the two conniving sisters in Shakesepeare's King Lear. For the Italian dubbed version, their names were changed to Genoveffa and Anastasia, after the two stepsisters in Disney's Italian dubbed version of Cinderella (1950).

Cinderella's (Marcella Plunkett) real name in the film is Zezolla, after the princess in the Italian Cinderella story, "La Gatta Cenerentola" (or "The Cat Cinderella") by Giambattista Basile, which was published in 1634.

The godmother as a mermaid is a reference to the ancient Chinese Cinderella story, "Ye Xian" (a.k.a. "Yeh-Shen" or "Yeh Hsien"), in which Cinderella's godmother is a magic fish. In "Ye Xian", Cinderella also wears a blue gown.

At one point Claudette attempts to cut off the toes of Goneril and Regan so that the slipper fits. In Grimm's version of the story, the stepmother forces each stepsister to cut off part of their foot (one a toe, the other a heel) to make the slipper fit.

Zezolla plants a rosebush on her mother's grave, and at key moments is guided by a bird that helps her on her quest to get to the ball. This is an allusion to the Grimm version of the story, where Cinderella did not have a fairy godmother, but rather a tree that contained magic birds.

The scene where the father asks his three daughters for proof of their love so he can buy whatever they desire, is a reference to the Cinderella-type folktale "Cap-o'-Rushes", wherein the story the father asks his daughters how much they loved him. The father as a businessman and the gifts they request upon his return trip home, jewelry and a rose, are allusions to the fairy tale "Beauty and the Beast".

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: Malann
    I remember watching the Disney version and watching it now makes me think it has somehow lost its magic touch. Plenty of other renditions, Ever After put aside, of Cinderella, have, in fact, lost their touch throughout the years. Then I found this production with a flawless performance by Kathleen Turner as the evil stepmother and was blown away by the phantasmagorical essence of this fantasy story that has cast me under its spell since childhood.

    We all know the story of Cinderella, a young girl who's father died and was dominated by her wicked stepmother and stepdaughters and longs to go to the ball for one last chance for freedom. But this plot line takes a different twist in the classic Fairy Tale by causing Cinderella (whose real name is Zizola, and is only called Cinderella by her family because of her slavery) to be trapped in a situation of her father (who still lives) slowly losing himself to a dominant wife who manipulates him into playing favorites with his wife and step-daughters against his own and tries to poison him. Thus, Zizola goes out to save her father by stopping her stepmother from finding another suitor at the ball by distracting the men who come her way. There, the bored Prince Valiant has a change of heart from his dull life and falls in love with the mysterious lady in the strange dress (forged by a water nymph named Mab) with rose petals for slippers.

    What drew me to this film most of all was it's original take on the old Fairy Tale that none can compare to. It does not weave a web of lies like most Cinderella stories, it does not ignore any reason as to why Cinderella would want to attend the ball and nor does it show a shallow side to the Prince as the Disney version did. Instead it shows more of Cinderella's selfless heart more than any other production and the artwork is simply stunning! The costumes are all beautifully made, especially Zizola's sapphire blue ballgown to match the Marcella Plunkett's fantastical beauty and soft, spirit-like voice.

    I would highly suggest this film for anyone who is interested in a dream-like sequence of the classic Fairy Tale with an interesting twist. My only problem is that the producers and director did not make a full collection of other Fairy Tales with this same element and the fact that the film is now out of print.
  • comment
    • Author: Lost Python
    this film was almost a great imaginative film. A mixture of shakespeare, pop, jazz, and faerie tales. This movie was an imaginative twist on the Cinderella theme. Featuring a strong cast, headed by the perfectly cast Kathleen Turner, this movie had everything going for it. Everything but production values. I almost never think that a movie needs special effects or big budgets, but with an over the top production like this, it came off with the same seedy quality as every other made for tv movie. Besides better cinematography, this film was almost perfect.
  • comment
    • Author: Meri
    I've seen this movie twice with my teenagers who love it. This one ought to be a cult fave! The best line, "Your dress is deeply cool!" says the Prince to Cinderella. Kathleen Turner shines as the stepmother. I also like the 1950's era cars and motorcycles. The melancholy prince is a great departure from the typical swashbuckler. He tries to stay cool, but fails to hide his love for the fairy-tale princess-to-be. Her slipper is not glass (truer to the original story), but Cinderella loses is nonetheless but gets it back from the heir to the throne. My only complaint is that it is not shown more and seems to be almost impossible to get. Hopefully Blockbuster or Amazon will start stocking this one sometime soon.
  • comment
    • Author: Kecq
    I thought it was an original story, very nicely told. I think all you people are expecting too much. I mean...it's just a made for television movie! What are you expecting? Some Great wonderful dramtic piece? I thought it was a really great story for a made for television movie....and that's my opinion.
  • comment
    • Author: Fordrekelv
    It is not difficult for a die hard fairy tale enthusiast to get bored with all the different versions of Cinderella. However, i think that this one was all together unique. Kathleen Turner was EXQUISITE as the "Wicked Step Mother" true. But there were other elements to this version that made it equally fabulous. The fact that Cinderella "rescues" her father, and gains a backbone and stands up to her step mother were great. There is also a wonderful element of traditional magic, in the form of Cinderella's "fairy god mother" a mermaid/sea nymph who takes an interest in Cinderella. The low budget, special effects harkened back to Rogers and Hamerstein's version. Simple effects let the story take center stage.
  • comment
    • Author: Ral
    I have an admitted soft spot for Cinderella, but always had issue with the complete simpy victim she let herself be. In this case, she's far less so---I very much like how she's FAR more interested in saving her father than her own future happiness.

    I loved the King Lear aspects and found this to be a delightful visual treat
  • comment
    • Author: Westened
    Creative use of modern and mystical elements: 1956 Cadillac convertible to transport evil stepmother Kathleen Turner (John Waters' "Serial Mom") and the 2 twisted sisters; Queen Mab as the faerie godmother; David Warner (Evil in "Time Bandits") in redcoat at court; Cinderella (she's a babe) shovelling coal into an insatiable furnace; Cinderella and her prince charming both look like (and act like) rock stars. Isle of Man locations.
  • comment
    • Author: Cherry The Countess
    This film moves the Cinderella story forward to the early 1950s and makes good, if eccentric, use of the Isle of Man as a background. The Ugly Sisters have become wildly glamorous upper-class English girls, and together with Kathleen Turner as the stepmother they flounce about in various wonderful period costumes. The story is altered a little from the traditional version: early on it is oddly combined with the plot of "King Lear", and in later stages Cinderella is rather more assertive than is usual. It looks splendid and works on the whole pretty well, but does go over the top at times.
  • comment
    • Author: Wenaiand
    Bizarre take on the Cinderella tale. Terribly poor script, but Kathleen Turner turns in a pretty decent evil step-mother performance.

    Visually stunning in some parts, but that's about it. The period costumes range from the Elizabethan era to the 1990s. Fast forward until you see something interesting and save yourself the full 90 minutes of drivel.

    If you're really in the mood for a Cinderella story - I suggest "Ever After: A Cinderella Story" or "The Glass Slipper".
  • comment
    • Author: Silvermaster
    *****THIS REVIEW MAY HAVE SPOILERS - but that determination would be negligible in such a classic and well-known story*****

    The CINDERELLA story ranks as my favorite fairy tale. The world will never have enough of this wonderful tale.

    The problem is that everyone wants to tell their own version of the tale. This cannot work if the story deviates or attempts to throw some interesting ideas together with some magical photography and scrumptious looking production designs with poor direction and editing.

    This Cinderella story is more like an Ugly Duckling that never hatches or rather, is never transformed into a swan.

    All the production value that money can buy, cannot purchase good cinematic timing and dramatic development - or good acting.

    The entrance of Cinderella at the ball as so poorly done, there was no drama of anticipation nor excitement of discovery.

    The writing made me very nervous, too. The Prince Charming was the most undesirable of memory. Why would any girl want to marry a boorish, self-absorbed prince who disliked women?

    Turner's turn on the Stepmother role was an embarrassingly painful showing that demonstrated one-liners more than acting nuance.

    Even the Cinderella part held little interest or sympathy.

    Perhaps only one sentence will describe this attempt: So cheaply '90's,

    What MUST be mentioned and mentioned in shameful excess is the glorious photography, matte work and production design. It was a pleasure to peruse the landscapes, sets and settings as the story unfolded.

    For some Cinderella storytelling, go for two gems:

    1) Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella Musical with Lesley Ann Warren. Even with the obvious stagey TV - 60's look to the sets, this is the best version on celluloid - bar none. An all star cast makes every effort to provide the highest entertainment. Engaging, diverting and memorable writing and music. This is the classic.

    2) Ever After- this Drew Barrymore gem maintains the historical perspective, alters the story line but not enough to derail the effective development of the salient points of this classic tale. The characters of the principals and of all of the supporting roles were written smartly and acted well.
  • Cast overview, first billed only:
    Sharon Maughan Sharon Maughan - Queen Seraphina
    Gideon Turner Gideon Turner - Prince Valiant
    David Warner David Warner - Martin
    Katrin Cartlidge Katrin Cartlidge - Goneril
    Lucy Punch Lucy Punch - Regan
    Kathleen Turner Kathleen Turner - Claudette
    Trevor Nelson Trevor Nelson - Captain of the Guard
    Marcella Plunkett Marcella Plunkett - Cinderella
    Leslie Phillips Leslie Phillips - Felim
    Jane Birkin Jane Birkin - Mab
    Hosh Kane Hosh Kane - Marco (as Hosh Ibrahim)
    Grant Ibbs Grant Ibbs - Warner
    Nickolas Grace Nickolas Grace - First Minister
    Leonard Brindley Leonard Brindley - Ambassador
    Michael Medwin Michael Medwin - General
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