Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageThe Thief Lord (2005)
Director: Richard Claus
Movie review
From Time Out London
This adaptation of Cornelia Funke’s kids’ story unravels within a pretty Venetian setting and involves ‘Oliver Twist’-inspired child thieves, a long-nosed roof-top-flitting Peter Pan figure and a magical merry-go-round with the power to reverse or advance the ageing process. The convoluted plot centres on two orphans on the run from their cantankerous uncle and aunt. They hook up with the Thief Lord (Rollo Weeks) and spend most of the film evading their relatives’ hired private dick before a wooden wing belonging to said merry-go-round leads towards a predictable fantasy finale. The story’s dull, the dialogue’s empty, the performances are pretty crummy, the editing’s slipshod, the score’s bombastic, and for some reason everyone speaks with an unmistakably British accent – except for one extra, a maid, who answers the door with a genuine Italian accent. What’s that all about? Most disappointing.Author: Derek Adams
Time Out London Issue 1866: May 24-31 2006
User reviews of this film
-
- Steven said...
- Posted on Dec 01 2008 00:47 The film was not that amazing, but I believe the book was quite well-done. The story shouldn't be hit so hard. Sure, pick on the rest, But really, the story isn't that bad!
- Report as inappropriate
-
- emille said...
- Posted on May 05 2008 17:07 rollos great he should be in more movies!
- Report as inappropriate
Cast & crew
Director: Richard Claus
Producer: Richard Claus
Cast: Caroline Goodall, Vanessa Redgrave, Jim Carter, Robert Bathurst, Aaron Johnson, Jasper Harris, Rollo Weeks, George Mackay, Lathaniel Dyer, Alexei Sayle, Bob Goody, Geoffrey Hutchings full cast
Genre(s): Action/Adventure, Children's
Rated: PG
Duration: 110 mins
UK Release: May 26 2006
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Hippies who work for The Man
To celebrate George Clooney comedy 'The Men who Stare at Goats', we look back at six memorable onscreen hippies who fought the system from within
Roland Emmerich's guide to disaster movies
Ahead of the release of '2012', Roland Emmerich offers his ten tips on creating the perfect global catastrophe
Grant Heslov: interview
Grant Heslov, director of 'The Men who Stare at Goats' talks about his old pal George Clooney, his interest in the paranormal, and his fond memories of working on 'Happy Days'
The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'
Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’
Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?
Time Out ponders the influences behind James Cameron's anticipated space-opera on the basis of the trailer
Michael Jackson's This Is It: review
Kenny Ortega's posthumous concert film is a rousing eulogy for one of pop's great enigmas
Michael Haneke: The man behind the menace
From Cannes to Munich to London, Dave Calhoun tours Michael Haneke's Palme d'Or winner, 'The White Ribbon'
Lone Scherfig talks 'An Education'
Danish director Lone Scherfig was an unlikely choice for a very English affair like 'An Education'. Cath Clarke meets her
How Jane Campion brought John Keats back to life
Time Out gets Romantic with the ‘difficult’ New Zealander about her new film, 'Bright Star'
Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam
In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations
What do you think?
Post your review now