Faeries

WOW. Here we are, twenty-five years after "Faeries" first aired, and I thought I'd COMPLETELY hallucinated the experience.

Supposedly it was based upon the 1978 book of the same name, which was basically a collection of paintings by Brian Froud -- the artist who would go on to do the conceptual art for such films as "Labyrinth" and "The Dark Crystal" -- of different types of Faeries, with the illustrations strung together by some narrative text. (I read the book afterward, and it's very enjoyable.) But "Faeries" also borrows several significant characters from actual Irish legend: part of the Fenian Cycle involving Oisín, the son of the hero Fionn mac Cumhal, and his adventures in the "other world" with a Faerie woman named Niamh.

That's a LOT of unexpected depth for an ABC weekend special. Especially considering its short running time, and being mainly geared for children, it packed a narrative wallop, was visually pleasing, and didn't patronize the viewer.

Today, it's an official "rare cartoon"; it just seemed to vanish into thin air after one viewing like one of its namesakes.

Pity.

I was about 7 when I first saw this CBS special that my mom recorded for me. Years later, I was able to obtain a new VHS of the show. Sadly this classic was never put on DVD so I had it done so I no longer had to worry about the tape getting damaged.

All I can say is that cartoons lack so much these days. This is your classic good vs evil storyline. But what makes it so intriguing, is the characters are based on the book Faeries by Brian Froud, the guy that helped with the Dark Crystal and Labyrinth. The music is wonderful and the ending with the hero fighting the villain is dramatic and intense and keep you on your seat.

I would rate this a 10 but I give it a 9 only because I wish it was longer.

If your lucky to get a copy, have your kids watch it. Should them the good stuff that they missed out on!

I agree, it's a hot day in July 1982, we just got out of the pool and sucking on astro pops, we are drying off and come to find some fantasy legend, we turn off the pitfall and atari 2600 to enjoy this amazing "alice in wonderland" romp through froud's mind, it's amazing, enthralling, my 8 year old brain can't quite wrap around it, it's dangerous, wild, engaging, I love it, I'm now 50 and I still remember it as if it was yesterday.

I love this short film. Watership Down and Faeries played as a double feature when I was a child and both are just as good today compared to when I first watched them. The story and pacing, artistic style, the animation, voice acting and music have made this remain one of my favorites.

This could have been easily an ABC Weekend Special. Sadly, I only found it once in a rental store and never saw it again.

Sad, because this was a pretty good story with so-so heroes and cool villians.

Oisin is a poor hunter. When he tries to shoot a deer, it becomes a blue fairy that takes him to FairyLand (obviously). There, he learns that he has to destroy the evil Shadow, who was created from the fairy king's own shadow.

It's a typical fairy tale, but it'll keep your interest if you have a half hour to spare. Good news for Disney Haters: there's no songs, only a ballet-like theme. The animation is okay, but does seem sketchy at times.

Fun Fact: This film was based on a book written and illustrated by artist Brian Froud. He would go on to create the artwork for the films "The Dark Crystal" and "Labyrinth", both directed by the Great Jim Henson....