"Tale as old as time" may be from the song of another fairy tale movie, but it aptly describes the tale of Cinderella. And because itโs so old, itโs been adapted for stage and screen countless times.
The latest of these is Disneyโs live-action reimagining of its own fairytale film from 1950. At the helm 65 years later is Kenneth Branagh, the Northern Irish actor and director renowned for dabbling in movies with some or other literary connection.
The prolific filmmaker has directed and starred in several movies based on Shakespeareโs plays; portrayed a Harry Potter character, and taken on Mary Shelleyโs infamous Dr. Frankenstein. So when it comes to the Grimmโs brothersโ classic, Branagh is the best bet.
Those very words, โGrimmโs brothersโ classicโ, belie the fact that this story is not of their making, but actually of Italian origin. The Grimmโs storytelling purpose was not so much in creating fairytales, but in collecting, retelling and publishing folk stories of yore, so that current and future generations could enjoy them too.
Theatre and film adaptations could be said to be the new brothers Grimm, bringing us fairytales old and new, so we can enjoy them for time immemorial. From opera, ballet and pantomime to animation and modernisation, Cinderellaโs seen it all.
With Hollywood talent like Lily James, Cate Blanchett and Helena Bonham Carter cast in the main roles, the latest version is not one you want to miss. Watch it this Sunday 3 January at 20:05 on M-Net and 20:30 on M-Net Movies Premiere.