Into the Woods (1990)

92% of users liked it
(4,855 ratings)

Originally broadcast as part of the American Playhouse series on PBS, this video captures a performance by the original cast of the popular Broadway musical. With songs and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Lapine, who also directed the stage production, Into the Woods humorously… More Originally broadcast as part of the American Playhouse series on PBS, this video captures a performance by the original cast of the popular Broadway musical. With songs and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Lapine, who also directed the stage production, Into the Woods humorously combines a number of classic fairy tales into one over-arching narrative. A baker and his wife are assigned a number of tasks by a nearby witch; only after completing these duties will they be able to give birth. During their quest to fulfill the witches' demands, they encounter Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, Cinderella, and numerous other fairy tale figures. The traditional stories are parodied and altered at will, yet the original fairy tales' sense of wonder and, at times, darkness remains intact. The score, winner of Broadway's Tony Award, includes such songs as Children Will Listen, Giants in the Sky, and No One Is Alone. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: James Lapine
Genres: Television, Musical & Performing Arts, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Mar 20, 1991 Wide
On DVD: Aug 24, 1999

No Critic Reviews Found…

Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

This is an adult version of fairy tales with music and comedy. I really liked it, but I saw it a long time ago, and would like to see it again.
Stephen M

"Stay a child while you can be a child" A Baker and his Wife have been cursed with a childless marriage by the spiteful Witch next door, who promises only to lift the curse if they journey into the woods to collect four items for her: Jack's white… More
"Stay a child while you can be a child" A Baker and his Wife have been cursed with a childless marriage by the spiteful Witch next door, who promises only to lift the curse if they journey into the woods to collect four items for her: Jack's white cow, Little Red Riding Hood's cape, Rapunzel's yellow hair and Cinderella's golden slipper... This is an excellent filmed performance of Stephen Sondheim's brilliant musical fairy tale. Because events take a very dark turn in the Second Act, I wouldn't recommend this for small children, unless you're one of those parents who enjoys fielding questions about death, mutilation, adultery and human sacrifice; it's better suited to adults who refuse to grow up. Some of the songs are gorgeous, especially Stay with Me, sung by Bernadette Peters' Witch to her adopted daughter Rapunzel, and No One Is Alone, sung by Cinderella and the Baker to a recently bereaved Little Red Riding Hood and Jack. The most amusing number, and the one that most readily gets stuck in my head, is Agony, in which two Princes Charming argue over whose insurmountable quest for love is the most difficult to bear. I loved every minute of this!
Sunil J

Maybe not the best music(some of it is very good) but the story is quite interesting.