Princess Caraboo (1994)

60% of critics liked it
(15 reviews)
43% of users liked it
(3,192 ratings)

Loosely based on an actual incident, this family-friendly British comedy is also a sly satire of class consciousness. Phoebe Cates stars as a woman who appears in the English countryside of 1817 wearing exotic garb and speaking gibberish. Delivered to a nearby manor, the mystery woman is sheltered… More Loosely based on an actual incident, this family-friendly British comedy is also a sly satire of class consciousness. Phoebe Cates stars as a woman who appears in the English countryside of 1817 wearing exotic garb and speaking gibberish. Delivered to a nearby manor, the mystery woman is sheltered by the Worralls (Wendy Hughes and Jim Broadbent), who are then persuaded by their suspicious Greek butler Frixos (Kevin Kline, Cates' real-life husband) to have the drifter tried for vagrancy and begging, capital crimes. At the hearing, however, the woman persuades the magistrate through pantomime that she is a princess of Javanese origin named Caraboo, escaped from pirate kidnappers. The Worralls welcome Caraboo back into their home, lavishing upon her the deference due a royal. A society sensation, Caraboo wins over a linguist (John Lithgow), the prince regent (John Session), and even Frixos. Only an Irish reporter, Gutch (Stephen Rea), remains skeptical about Caraboo's origins. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 36 min.
Directed By: Michael Austin
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Sep 16, 1994 Wide
On DVD: Apr 24, 2001
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Daniel M. Kimmel, Variety
The great costumes and sets are more substantial than the plot and characters.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Moderately amusing social satire of mistaken identity, that has little bite.
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
This would probably be a hit in 2003. Yes, it is that horrible.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
This snappy and exuberant comedy celebrates creativity as an asset of free spirits.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

Leigh R

It was cute enough.

Cast

            Phoebe Cates as Princess Caraboo

            Jim Broadbent as Mr. Worrall

            Wendy Hughes as Mrs. Worrall

            Kevin Kline as Frixos

            John Lithgow as Professor Wilkinson

            Stephen Rea as Gutch

            Peter Eyre as Lord Apthorpe

            Jacqueline Pearce as Lady Apthorpe

            John Wells as Reverend Hunt

            John Lynch as Amon McCarthy

            John Sessions as Prince Regent

            Arkie Whiteley as Betty

            Annabel Brooks as Lady Neville

            Rachel Fielding as Mrs Benson

            David Glover as Musician

            Peter Howell as Clerk of the Court

            Barbara Keogh as Mrs Wilberforce

            Steven Mackintosh as Harold

            Murray Melvin as Lord Motley

            Roger Lloyd Pack as Magistrate Haythorne

            Edward Tudor-Pole as Lord Neville

            Stromboli
            
            Jacqueline Tong as Mrs Hunt

            Jerry Hall as Lady Motley

            Andrew Seear as Mr Peake

            David Sibley as Harrison

            Anna Chancellor as Mrs Peake

            Dougray Scott as Dragoon Captain

            Kate Ashfield
            
            Roger Lloyd-Pack
            
See full cast