Watch Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland is a whimsical, fantastical journey through Lewis Carroll's famous novel brought to life in a 1999 movie adaptation by CBS. The lead role of Alice is portrayed by a young and spirited Tina Majorino. As the story opens, Alice is depicted as a restless young girl, bored with her mundane reality and eager for adventure. She finds her wish fulfilled when she discovers a rabbit hole in her garden and falls down it, landing in a strange and surreal world.

In this new realm, Alice encounters a bizarre cast of characters, each more peculiar than the last. She is confronted by the menacing Queen of Hearts, played with venomous flair by Miranda Richardson. The queen is surrounded by her bumbling minions, the card soldiers, who are constantly being scolded for their inefficiency.

Martin Short deserves special mention for his portrayal of the Mad Hatter, who captures the madcap spirit of the character perfectly. Whoopi Goldberg plays the twisty and sneaky Cheshire Cat, and Simon Russell Beale embodies the melancholic yet wise Caterpillar. Robbie Coltrane makes a brief appearance as Tweedledum and Tweedledee, adding an extra layer of madness to the proceedings.

Ken Dodd delights as the bearded and befuddled Mouse, who is eventually chased away by Alice's curious cat. Heathcote Williams leaves an impact as the dour and sinister Mock Turtle, while Gene Wilder pops up unexpectedly as the eccentric Mock Turtle's teacher.

George Wendt lends his voice to the hapless Walrus, while Elizabeth Spriggs embodies the music-loving, saucy Duchess. Pete Postlethwaite has a minor role as the Gryphon, while Jason Flemyng gives an eerie performance as the chillingly charismatic Knave of Hearts.

Liz Smith rounds out the cast as the white-haired, kind-hearted Cook, who befriends Alice and helps her along the way.

Throughout the movie, Alice grapples with the dizzying conundrums and weird adventures that Carroll's source material is famous for. Her intellect and resourcefulness are tested at every turn as she tries to make sense of the topsy-turvy world she finds herself in.

One of the standout scenes is the tea party hosted by the Mad Hatter and the March Hare, where time seems to stand still and the characters engage in nonsensical and hilarious banter. The scene is brought to life with a dazzling array of visual effects and set designs.

The movie also features some really impressive makeup, costumes, and choreography. The Queen of Hearts' court is a sight to behold, with its elaborate gowns, ornate headpieces, and intimidating red and black color scheme. It is clear that a lot of care and attention went into bringing the storybook characters to life in a memorable way.

The final act of the movie features a dramatic showdown between Alice and the Queen of Hearts, with Alice making a heroic stand for justice and logic. The climax is visually stunning and brings a satisfying conclusion to the story.

Overall, CBS's Alice in Wonderland is an imaginative and charming adaptation of a classic tale. It is well worth watching for the outstanding performances, dazzling visuals, and memorable characters. A wonderful reminder that sometimes, it's good to get lost in a world of nonsense and let your imagination run wild.

Alice in Wonderland is a series that is currently running and has 2 seasons (78 episodes). The series first aired on January 1, 1983.