Episodes
The Soldier and Death
Returning from war, a young soldier trades his last biscuit for a magical sack... into which anything summoned will enter! Trapping devils and even death itself, the soldier brings peace to his country. But death soon proves a greater enemy captured than free! From an early Russian folk tale.
Fearnot
Fearnot is a young man who is incapapble of feeling fear. He leaves his home and his true love to embark on a vast journey to experience the shudder of fear. No monster or creature that he meets, however horrible or terrifying, makes him afraid. It is only upon return that he learns that true fear exists in the places which are closest to us. From an early German folk tale.
The Luck Child
Upon news of the birth of a Luck child - a peasant boy predicted by wise man to one day wear the crown - the cruel-hearted king seeks out the boy, pretending to take him under his terrible wing. Will luck indeed play a part in our hero's final destiny? From an early Russian folk tale.
A Story Short
The storyteller recalls his days of servitude to the king for bamboozling the royal cook out of a free meal. A story a day was his punishment - or else he'll boil in the cook's cauldron of oil! All goes well until the final day... when he can't think of a story to save his life! From an early Celtic folk tale.
Hans My Hedgehog
Hans, a hedgehog-boy, feels ostracized in his town so he runs away. Twenty years later, Hans helps a king lost in the woods find his way back to his kingdom. The king rewards Hans with the first thing that the king will see when he re-enters his kingdom. But when the first thing he sees turns out to be his beautiful daughter, will despair take hold or can love prevail? From an early German folk tale.
The Three Ravens
After using her powers to charm the widowed king into marrying her, an evil witch sees his children standing in the way of her power. She uncovers the children’s secret hiding place and turns the three princes into ravens. The ravens tell the princess she cannot speak a word for three years, three months and three days or they will remain forever as birds. From an early German folk tale.
Sapsorrow
Upon fleeing her kingdom to escape an arranged marriage, the lovely Princess Sapsorrow toils in the kitchen of a faraway palace, disguised as an ugly hag. Her masquerade is no ball, as Sapsorrow has fallen in love with a prince, who sees her only as a peasant!
The Heartless Giant
A young prince is tricked into helping a heartless giants escape from the king’s dungeon. The evil giant unleashes terror across the land and those who go off to fight him never return. The young prince becomes the servant of the giant and tries to find where the giant’s heart is hidden. But even if he were able to get the heart, can all be made right once more? From an early German folk tale.
The True Bride
A girl who was adopted by an abusive troll finally is freed with the help of a white lion. When her betrothed does not return after a trip, the girl is grief-stricken to learn that the troll's sister had put a spell on him and plans to marry him. The white lion appears again and helps the girl by giving her three magical gifts. From an early German folk tale.
Cast
John Hurt
The Storyteller
Crew
Anthony Minghella
Screenplay
Rachel Portman
Original Music Composer
John Fenner
Director of Photography
David Yardley
Editor
Debbie McWilliams
Casting
Roger Hall
Production Design
Ann Hollowood
Costume Design
Mark Shivas
Producer
Duncan Kenworthy
Producer
Jim Henson
Executive Producer
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