I accidently caught this strange and beautiful tv movie when it first aired in the early 90's, while I was on a ski trip. With its weird and eerie and incredibly beautiful fairy tale atmosphere it is very reminiscent of Jim Henson's "Storyteller", and it's a shame that it only seems to have aired once and never rerun. I have no idea whether it's available on video or not, but if you can find it, I highly recommend watching it, and reading the Edgar Allen Poe story(titled "Hopfrog") it is based on as well.
6 Reviews
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lhawes111 October 2005
I'm one more of the folks who saw this film years ago, and have found it stuck in my heart and gut ever since. Dark, beautiful, tender, sassy and way ahead of its time, this one's a keeper. The setting, the costumes, the characterization -- all exceed most films made since. Most haunting, however, is the mood that's set. This film has an emotional color that is as compelling as any of its characters. At least once in their lives, a genius gets it altogether. This was an early outing for Taymor, but she gave it everything she has. And that's a great deal. I, like the other Fool's Fire junkies, would give anything to get a good DVD copy of this film. I know I would find something new, deeper each time I watched!
One of the best things ever broadcast. If only available on DVD!
wadcorp3 August 2002
My wife & I saw Fool's Fire when originally broadcast on PBS. We were totally blown away. Talk about fresh & original. Quite a coup for Julie Taymor, who is more noted these days for the Broadway production of "The Lion King".
Having Michael Anderson (one of David Lynch's favorite actors) cast as the court jester, Hop Frog, while casting all the "normal" characters of the court with puppets was amazing. This is one of the most human stories. More pathos than the original E.A. Poe story, without loosing any of the original's impact.
With Julie Taymor's success with "Titus", there should be an enterprising soul willing to put this production out on DVD, where it can get the audience it deserves.
Is anyone listening?
Having Michael Anderson (one of David Lynch's favorite actors) cast as the court jester, Hop Frog, while casting all the "normal" characters of the court with puppets was amazing. This is one of the most human stories. More pathos than the original E.A. Poe story, without loosing any of the original's impact.
With Julie Taymor's success with "Titus", there should be an enterprising soul willing to put this production out on DVD, where it can get the audience it deserves.
Is anyone listening?
What I saw was fascinating
act40fig28 December 2003
Late one night, I had the chance to catch this play. I never saw the entire PBS production. Still, I was captured by the fanciful atmosphere and very much intrigued by the puppetry. I would love to see this brought to DVD. I've been searching for it for years and I'm surprised that it's not available.
Fool's Fire Copy???
mvoperations21 February 2005
I am also looking desperately for a copy of Julie Taymor's Fool's Fire PBS production done in 1992. My mother absolutely loves this production and when I was in middle school she mistakenly gave me a permission to show it to my class for a project. Unfortunately, the VHS came up missing. As you can imagine, I have been blamed for losing this amazing broadcast ever since! If anyone has a copy or knows of a place I can get one that would be amazing. I am willing and able to pay a good amount for the copy of this production. I will be surprising my mom with it as well! Please email me at the above email address if you any information on Fool's Fire or if you have any hope at all!!!! Thanks so much!
Amazingly original treatment of obscure story
griffwn14 March 2004
I was captivated by this film when it first appeared on PBS...and have since been captivated by most of what Julie Taymore has involved herself with.
I would love to have this available on DVD. How unfortunate that it is not!
For those who are fans of absurdist theatre (such as Ionesco and others), or who enjoyed the films in the City of Lost Children genre, I definitely recommend getting a hold of a copy of this. It is odd, haunting, and a stroke of design brilliance!
I would love to have this available on DVD. How unfortunate that it is not!
For those who are fans of absurdist theatre (such as Ionesco and others), or who enjoyed the films in the City of Lost Children genre, I definitely recommend getting a hold of a copy of this. It is odd, haunting, and a stroke of design brilliance!
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