Dreamchild (1985)

100% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
85% of users liked it
(361 ratings)

Irreverent British writer Dennis Potter speaks aloud what many literary historians have only postulated in whispers in Dreamchild. The film is set in 1932, on the 100th anniversary of the birth of Alice in Wonderland creator Lewis Carroll. The guest of honor at the New York-based celebration is… More Irreverent British writer Dennis Potter speaks aloud what many literary historians have only postulated in whispers in Dreamchild. The film is set in 1932, on the 100th anniversary of the birth of Alice in Wonderland creator Lewis Carroll. The guest of honor at the New York-based celebration is 80-year-old Alice Liddell (Coral Browne), who as a child inspired Carroll's whimsical novels. Amidst the cajoling of both devoted fans and fast-buck hustlers, the grim-faced Alice tries to remain calm and dignified. What none of the idolaters suspect is that Alice harbors a long-suppressed secret concerning her "very special" relationship with Carroll -- a secret revealed in an extremely tasteful fashion during a flashback sequence, featuring Amelia Shankley as young Alice and Ian Holm as Charles Dodgson, the virginal, child-obsessed clergyman whom the world knew as Lewis Carroll. The darkness of Dennis Potter's vision is lightened by Muppeteer Jim Henson's marvelous three-dimensional renditions of the Wonderland and Looking Glass characters. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 34 min.
Directed By: Gavin Millar
Genres: Drama, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Oct 4, 1985 Wide
Studio: HBO Video

Critic Reviews

Joe Leydon, San Francisco Examiner
A marvelously inventive mix of fantasy and fanciful speculation.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
The Jim Henson fabrications of the Wonderland characters are more horrific than whimsical and the direction feels like a TV film, but the attempt is noteworthy.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Wistful and warm ... and just a little bit dull.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Living up to it's title a dreamy film of the aged Alice's half memories of her childhood and Lewis Carroll interwoven with sequences of animated characters from the story and her present day, the 30's, trip to receive an honorary degree. Nice sense of time and place and… More
Living up to it's title a dreamy film of the aged Alice's half memories of her childhood and Lewis Carroll interwoven with sequences of animated characters from the story and her present day, the 30's, trip to receive an honorary degree. Nice sense of time and place and a truly lovely performance by Coral Browne as the grownup Alice.
Anthony V

Quite good story behind the girl who was the inspiration for Alice in wonderland.

Cast

            Coral Browne as Alice Hargreaves

            Ian Holm as Rev. Charles Dodgson

            Peter Gallagher as Jack Dolan

            Nicola Cowper as Lucy

            Caris Corfman as Sally Mackeson

            Jane Asher as Mrs. Liddell

            Amelia Shankley as Little Alice

            Imogen Boorman as Loriona

            Emma King as Edith

            Shane Rimmer as Mr. Marl

            William Hootkins as Radio Actor

            Ron Mueck as Gryphon

            Steve Whitmire as Mock Turtle

            Karen Prell as Dormouse

            Michael Sundin as March Hare

            Fulton Mackay as Gryphon

            Alan Bennett as Mock Turtle

            Julie Walters as Dormouse

            Anthony Haygarth as Mad Hatter

            Frank Middlemass as Caterpillar

            Roger Ashton-Griffiths as Rev. Duckworth

            Ron Berglas as Editor

            Danny Brainin as Reporter/Photographer

            Nigel Hawthorne
            
            Pierre Olivier Bardet as President of University

            Alan Sherman as Reporter

            Pat Starr as Radio Actress

            Ron Travis as Editor

            James Wilby as Baker

            Rupert Wainwright as Hargreaves

            Peter Banks as Editor

            Sam Douglas as Reporter

            Big Mick as Mad Hatter

            Jeffrey Chiswick as Radio Actor

            Thomasine Heiner as Announcer/Chairman

            Derek Hoxby as Editor

            Johnny M. as 1st Crooner

            Tony Mansell as Waldorf Astoria Crooner

            Peter Whitman as Radio Producer

            Ken Hudson Campbell as March Hare
See full cast