Five Children and It (film)

"For the original book, see Five Children and It."Infobox Film
name = Five Children and It


image_size =
caption = Five Children and It Poster
director = John Stephenson
producer = Nick Hirschkorn
writer = E. Nesbit
David Solomons
narrator =
starring = Freddie Highmore
Jonathan Bailey (Actor)
Zoe Wanamaker
Kenneth Branagh
Eddie Izzard
music = Jane Antonia Cornish
cinematography =
editing =
distributor =
released =
runtime =
country = UK
language = English
budget =
gross =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
website =
amg_id =
imdb_id = 0366450

"Five Children and It" is a 2004 film adaption of the book of the same name, directed by John Stephenson, starring Freddie Highmore, with Zoe Wanamaker, Kenneth Branagh and Eddie Izzard as the voice of the Psammead.

Plot Summary

Five children are sent to the country to live with their mad uncle during the war. When there, they meet as Psammead (a sand fairy), who grants them wishes - with unexpected consequences.

Differences Between the Book and the Film

There are some differences between the film and the book: the movie is based on the children's father going to war and their mother looking after wounded soldiers as a nurse. As a result the children end up staying at their uncle's house, where they meet the sand-fairy. The Psammead lives on a beach reached via a tunnel from the greenhouse. The film also included previously unseen characters, such as their cousin Horace.

Cast & Selected Crew [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0366450/maindetails IMDb Main Details] ]

Cast

*Tara Fitzgerald ... Mother
*Freddie Highmore ... Robert
*Alex Jennings ... Father
*Jonathan Bailey (Actor) ... Cyril
*Jessica Claridge ... Anthea
*Poppy Rogers ... Jane
*Alec Muggleton ... Lamb
*Zak Muggleton ... Lamb
*Zoë Wanamaker ... Martha
*Kenneth Branagh ... Uncle Albert
*Alexander Pownall ... Horace
*Eddie Izzard ... It (voice)
*Georgio Serafini ... Mr. Bialli
*John Sessions ... Peasemarsh
*Kim Fenton ... RFC Flier
*Norman Wisdom ... Nesbitt
*Duncan Preston ... Sergeant

Crew

*John Stephenson - Director
*David Solomons - Writer
*E. Nesbit - Writer (novel)
*Samuel Hadida - Producer
*Lisa Henson - Producer
*Nick Hirschkorn - Producer

Production Information

* Robin Williams was originally offered the role of the Psammead. [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0366450/funfacts IMDb Fun Facts] ]

Reception

Five Children and It received positive to mixed reviews, Empire stating that it was "a refreshing family film and once you're on the wavelength, Izzard is a treat", giving the film 3 out of 5 stars. [ [http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/ReviewComplete.asp?FID=10369 Empire Review] ] Time Out London was less praising, stating that the cast "shuffle [d] " through their parts, lamented the special effects but praised Eddie Izzard. [ [http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/81406/Five_Children_and_It.html Time Out London Review] ] Rotten Tomatoes (a website that pastes together reviews) gave it 57%, [ [http://uk.rottentomatoes.com/m/five_children_and_it/ Rotten Tomatoes Review] ] and IMDb awarded it an average 5.5 out of 10. [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0366450/maindetails IMDb Rating] ]

Awards

* BAFTA Awards 2005Won Anthony Asquith Award for Best New British Composer (TV) - "Jane Antonia Cornish"
* Heartland Film Festival 2005Won Crystal Heart Award

References

See also

* Five Children and It

External Links

* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0366450/ IMDb Page]