Paula Hammond - Features EditorFabulous Films’ new complete collection comprises of all nine episodes of Jim Henson’s original The Storyteller series, starring John Hurt, plus all four episodes of The Storyteller: Greek Myths, narrated by Michael Gambon.
Featuring both human actors and creations crafted by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, The Storyteller won two BAFTA Awards and one Primetime Emmy.
Henson himself was so committed to the project that he funded the pilot, Hans My Hedgehog, with his own money. But despite critical acclaim, the darker retelling of these classic fairytales meant low ratings in the US and the show was eventually deemed too scary for kids. In fact, NBC refused to air the second series of Greek Myths, although in the UK and mainland Europe, both seasons were a huge success.
The original series—narrated by Hurt, aided by his cynical dog—cleverly retells classic folk tales, fables and legends such as The Three Ravens and The Heartless Giant. The Storyteller: Greek Myths retells the tales of Daedalus and Icarus, Orpheus and Eurydice, Perseus and Gorgon, and Theseus and the Minotaur with Gambon taking Hurt’s place. Look out, too, for the likes of Miranda Richardson, Jane Horrocks, Sean Bean, Jonathan Pryce, Brenda Blethyn, Jennifer Saunders, Joely Richardson Derek Jacobi, and Art Malik.
As Roald Dahl knew, kids aren’t quite as fragile we adults tend to imagine. They love a dark tale and the odd scare. Whether the thirteen tales collected in Jim Henson’s The Storyteller box set are too dark, too scary, is for individual parents to decide.However, when it comes to tales like Orpheus and Eurydice and Theseus and the Minotaur, you should, perhaps, be prepared for the inevitable questions that follow stories that deal with love, death, and betrayal. But don’t let that put you off. This is a series that’s beautifully made, superbly told, and—yes—educational.
