Rapunzel, Rapunzel (1979)

• 64%
• 1979
• Tom Davenport

This masterful rendition of the classic fairy tale suitably answers a child's ponderings of how, exactly, a prince can climb the cascading tresses of a damsel in distress to rescue her from a prison tower--without causing her a bad-hair day. Named after a forbidden flower in an enchanted garden, Rapunzel is the story of a young girl of exquisite beauty who has been imprisoned from birth by a cruel witch. Her only connection to the outside world is her unforgettably long brown hair, which she flings out her lofty window at the beckon of a nocturnal suitor. Set in turn-of-the-century America, this live-action film is part of the series From the Brothers Grimm, a set of award-winning productions that translate traditional tales into the American idiom while remaining faithful to the folk original. Wrapped in gorgeous cinematography, this short and sweet tale (15-minutes) will grab viewers' attention through its enchanting blend of realism and imagination, showing a courageous girl's struggle for freedom. Not to mention the delicious elements of a good story--a wicked stepmother, a handsome prince, a curse lifted by the tears of an amorous woman, and the proverbial happy ending.