Rotkäppchen

Once upon a time there was an unpublished writer who saw five versions of the Brothers Grimm classic tale "Little Red Riding Hood". Here's his review of number three.

A curious young girl named Linet (Amelia Shankley) looks for elves in the woods, but only finds trouble. She lives with her mother (Isabella Rossellina) and a maid, as her father (Craig T. Nelson) is off fighting in a war. Her uncle and now king (also Nelson) wants to marry his sister-in-law (!), as seven years have passed since his brother left for the war. The evil king has used black magic to transform a wolf into a man to spy for him. The wolfman learns that Linet is not afraid of her cruel uncle, so uncle decides to do something about this.

It takes 57 minutes for the story of Red Riding Hood / Linet traveling to Grandma's through the woods to happen, and Grandma isn't even sick or frail! And like most children's movies made for American audiences, this is a musical. This means people burst into song every five minutes for no apparent reason. Since the music is all synthesizer music, it really clashes with the 18th Century setting. Still, some of the songs aren't bad, and who knew Nelson could sing? The bad news is MGM's DVD is fullscreen. A note about this takes up ten seconds of the running time. Something like this should be separated from the movie, which should begin at all zeros. It's unlikely a demand for a widescreen version will create a reissue. At least the transfer is good, and there's a trailer.

Shankley, by the way, debuted as young Alice Liddell in Dreamchild (1985), the quasi-biopic of the girl who inspired Rev. Charles Dodgson / Lewis Carroll to write "Alice's Adventures In Wonderland". Unfortunately, Red Riding Hood is not as good as that movie.

The film's copyright is 1987, MGM's box has 1988 on it and IMDb lists 1989. Just once, can't we all agree on something?

Finally, a movie that gives an explanation for the fact that when they cut open the wolf, Little Red Riding Hood is unharmed. True, the reason is an enchanted cloak, but it's better than nothing. I loved the songs "You Won't Be Here in the Morning" and "Never Talk to Strangers". The other thing that makes this version better then most Red Riding Hood stories is the supporting characters. They gave Red's parents and friends all lives that had nothing to do with her being eaten, yet kept to a basic plotline.

This is one great Cannon Movie Tale.I just recently saw it.The music is very professional sounding and doesent sound cheesy like some of the other Cannon Movie Tales do.

The plotline is a little screwed up.It does have an intriging backstory featuring the Lynette(Red Riding Hood) character's uncle(Craig T Nelson).

This film boasts a terrific music score by Stephen Lawrence.It elivates the film so much and makes it seem more like a real film than a children's movie.

The film has a nasty and frightening atmosphere that might scare the little ones.Children 6 and up will not find it scary. This film is a must see or buy.It is worth a blind buy.That's what I did just because I love the Cannon Movie Tales.It is worth it!Get It NOW!!!!

"Red Riding Hood" is yet another Cannon Movie Tale released in the eighties. Although, once again, the story has been stretched to the breaking point, but it's not bad. Linnet (Amelia Shankley) and her mother, Lady Jeanne (Isabella Rosselini) live near the edge of a forest and wait for Lady Jeanne's husband (and Linnet's father,Sir Percival (Craig T Nelson) to return to them. In his absence, his brother Godfrey, (Nelson again) has become Lord Of The Province. But he is evil and lusts after his brother's wife, while abusing the rest of the populace. He has also gained the power to transform his friend Dagger (Rocco Sisto) into a wolf. From here, the story follows the traditional more or less. Linnet's grandmother (Helen Glazary) whips up the red cape and hood, which she says will protect her granddaughter from harm. The songs are nice additions to the new storyline, and most are well performed, though, as the evil brother, Nelson even hams his musical number. Shankley has a beautiful voice, and she and Sisto have the best song "Never Talk To Strangers". All in all, a modest, pleasant film.

I saw this movie when I was a child, and it is still among the favourites in my video collection. I am shocked more people have not heard of it. This film is a fresh retelling of a story that has been told for generations, only this time it is told with genuine originality. The characters have motive and depth, especially Lynette (otherwise known as Red Riding Hood) a rebellious young girl who, just like her mother once did, shows no fear...even in the face of a cunning werewolf. The music in this version is enchanting, and will ring in your head for hours afterwards; it is a shame that they never released the soundtrack.

This is most definitely a welcome addition to any collection, children's or otherwise.