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Features: Television Miniseries
Once you've visited Hallmark Entertainment's presentation of Gulliver's worlds, your own will never be the same. Adventure abounds in this magnificent adaptation of the classic novel by Jonathan Swift. Viewers of all ages will delight in this classic tale of wonder that features an all-star cast, lavish costumes and lush scenery. Winner of five Awards, including "Best Miniseries." Ted Danson portrays Gulliver, the 18th century physician who takes eight event-packed years to return home. Mary Steenburgen is the devoted wife who stands by Gulliver when everyone says his story is the tale of a madman--and what an unforgettable tale it is! Join Gulliver as he towers over tiny Lilliput and its wishy-washy king (Peter O'Toole), as he becomes a pocket-sized fortune-teller in a land of giants ruled by a wise queen (Alfre Woodard), and as he soars on a massive flying island piloted by intellectual airheads. See Gulliver match wits with a sorcerer (Omar Sharif) and watch as he proves his mettle in a realm where horses rule and humans are beasts. For thrilling adventure and spectacle, don't miss this "towering achievement" (Los Angeles Daily News).
"...exciting, unique, substantive and spellbinding. Do not miss it." The Daily News
"A fantastic voyage..." Los Angeles Times
"...[a] towering achievement..." Los Angeles Daily News
"This masterful adaptation of Jonathan Swift's novel will go down as a triumph of special effects." Denver Post
"...[the film] triumphs on a giant scale." USA Today
"Rousingly inventive..." Hollywood Reporter
"Movie magic..." The Philadelphia Inquirer
"A terrifically entertaining, endlessly fascinating, big and splashy production..." The Seattle Times
"Sumptuous production values, state-of-the-art special effects and an all-star assemblage." The Wall Street Journal
Editor's Note
This acclaimed made-for-television version of Swift's fantasy employs an all-star cast and superior special effects to portray all four books in the cycle. From Lilliput and Brobdingnag to Laputa and the lands of the Struldbruggs and Houyhnhnms, Gulliver's 9-year odyssey and his struggle to prove his sanity are vividly brought to life.
Plot Summary
Ted Danson stars as Doctor Lemuel Gulliver in this spectacular television version of Jonathan Swift's classic satire of English society.| Gulliver returns to England from his perilous journey to find that during his 8-year absence, his wife, Mary, gave birth to a son he'd never met, his medial practice has been taken over by Dr. Bates, and all these years Mary has been employed as housekeeper for Bates, but has successfully spurred his proposals of marriage.| Meeting his boy, Tom, for the first time, Gulliver begins to recount his travels. He tells him of the Lilliputians: the tiny, belligerent people who employed Gulliver to attack their rivals. Then he recalls meeting the giants, who turned him into a novelty attraction; the geniuses from the flying island of Laputa; and the Houyhnhunms, a breed of intelligent, rational horses that have created a nearly perfect society. | While Mary and Dr. Bates listen to Gulliver's stories, they become convinced that Gulliver is mad. And Bates becomes very aware that he has the opportunity to lock away Gulliver in a mental asylum -- and keep the medical practice and Mary for himself.
| Technical Info
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Release Information
|  | Studio: Artisan |
| Release Date: 12/18/2001 |
| Running Time: 175 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 1996 | | Catalog ID: 40083 | | UPC: 00707729400837 | | Number of Discs: 2 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: English | | Available Audio Tracks: English [CC], English | | Video: Color |
| Cast & Crew
| Awards |
Emmy (1996) |  | Frederic Evard, John Fenner, et. al., Winner, Outstanding Achievement In Art Direction: Mini-Series Or Special | | Simon Moore, Winner, Outstanding Individual Achievement In Writing: Mini-Series Or Special | | Tim Webber, Winner, Outstanding Special Visual Effects | | | Charles Sturridge, Nominee, Outstanding Individual Achievement In Directing: Mini-Series Or Special | | | Alfre Woodard, Nominee, Outstanding Supporting Actress: Mini-Series Or Special |
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| | Professional Reviews | Leonard Maltin's Movie & Video Guide 0 of 10
Elaborate production, stunning special effects, and stellar cast (some in nearly invisible roles, others like O'Toole in outre performances) give Swift justice to the 1726 political and social satire... Written by Simon Moore, this exhilarating world is quite removed from earlier film versions
Leonard Maltin's Movie & Video Guide 7 of 10
Elaborate production, stunning special effects, and stellar cast (some in nearly invisible roles, others like O'Toole in outrŽ performances) give Swift justice to the 1726 political and social satire... Written by Simon Moore, this exhilarating world is quite removed from earlier film versions.
Find-A-Video 0 of 10
Who...would have imagined a made-for-TV production would be the most faithful and entertaining adaptation yet? And whoever OK'd Ted Danson for the role of the good ship's doctor is either a man of vision or a fool for Q ratings. But Danson does give a very good performance in a very difficult role, wisely choosing not to attempt an English accent.... Of course, the real stars are the special effects, here supplied by Jim Henson's always reliable people. While some of Swift's rapier raillery gets dulled down a bit, this bygone burlesque still manages to deliver a potent message.
Denver Post 0 of 10
This masterful adaptation of Jonathan Swift's novel will go down as a triumph of special effects.
The Wall Street Journal 0 of 10
Sumptuous production values, state-of-the-art special effects and an all-star assemblage.
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