Hansel and Gretel
Hansel and Gretel

Movie spotlight

Hansel and Gretel

1990
Movie
87 min
Italian

A farming community make their money through kidnapping children and selling their vital organs on the black market.

Insights

IMDb5.3/10
Director: John CarlsonGenres: Family, Fantasy, Horror

Plot Summary

A dark and twisted retelling of the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale, this film follows young siblings Hansel and Gretel who are abandoned in a forest by their impoverished parents. Lost and starving, they stumble upon a seemingly abandoned cottage made of sweets, only to discover it's a trap set by a cannibalistic witch who intends to fatten them up for her next meal.

Critical Reception

This 1990 adaptation of "Hansel and Gretel" received a mixed to negative reception. While some appreciated its darker tone and departure from more saccharine versions, many critics found its horror elements underdeveloped and its pacing uneven. The performances were generally considered adequate for the material, but the film struggled to find a consistent audience, often overshadowed by other family-oriented fantasy films of the era.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film attempts a darker, more adult interpretation of the fairy tale, which some found intriguing.

  • However, many critics felt the horror elements were not effectively utilized, leading to a less impactful viewing experience.

  • The pacing and narrative coherence were points of criticism for some reviewers.

Google audience: Audience reception for this 1990 film is largely unavailable or unremarkable, suggesting it did not generate significant online discussion or strong opinions among viewers.

Fun Fact

The film was notable for casting actors like David Arquette and Talia Shire in early roles, who would go on to more prominent careers in Hollywood.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review