Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageDarby O'Gill and the Little People (1959)
Director: Robert Stevenson
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
Walt Disney had wanted to make this Oirish fantasy (suggested by HT Kavanagh's stories) for more than 20 years and even visited Ireland to do the research, acknowledging the co-operation of 'King Brian of Knocknasheega', lord of the little people, on the final credits. Forty years on, with M'Lord Fitzpatrick's caretaker Darby O'Gill (Sharpe) falling down a well and landing in the realm of the leprechauns where he's given three wishes, it registers as a pretty hokey entertainment. But Peter Ellenshaw and Eustace Wallace's effects are put together with the studio's customary care - and there's even a banshee sequence with flame throwers to put the wind up the kids, begorrah begob. For those of a sentimental turn, there is the delight of watching young Connery romancing the ineffably wholesome Janet Munro, a couple of years before things turned nasty for Commander Bond at Crab Key with the somewhat more knowing Ursula Andress.Author:
Cast & crew
Director: Robert Stevenson
Cast: Albert Sharpe, Jimmy O'Dea, Sean Connery, Janet Munro, Kieron Moore, Walter Fitzgerald, Jack MacGowran full cast
Genre(s): Children's
Duration: 90 mins
Top Stories
Ben Drew aka Plan B interview
The singer, rapper and now film director discusses his debut film 'Ill Manors'
Cannes Film Festival 2012: final round-up
Dave Calhoun draws the curtain on the world's greatest film festival
Ridley Scott interview
Director Ridley Scott tells Cath Clarke why he's making a science fiction comeback
What do you think?
Post your review now