Watch Slipper and the Rose

In 1976, the fantasy musical film "The Slipper and the Rose" was released, directed by Bryan Forbes and starring Richard Chamberlain as Prince Edward and Gemma Craven as his love interest, Cinderella. The movie offered a modern take on the classic fairy tale story, with a mix of humorous and romantic moments that were perfect for audiences of all ages.

The story begins with Prince Edward returning home from his travels to find that his kingdom is being ruled by his evil stepmother, played by Margaret Lockwood. The queen has convinced the king to marry her own daughter, Signorina Esmerelda, played by Rosalind Ayres, to the prince. However, the prince has already fallen in love with a commoner, Cinderella. Unfortunately, the prince isn't able to find out Cinderella's true identity before she has to leave the ball and lose her glass slipper.

The rest of the film follows the prince's quest to find Cinderella again, with help from his best friend John, played by Michael Hordern. Meanwhile, Cinderella is back at home, facing the wrath of her wicked stepmother and stepsisters, played by Annette Crosbie, Sherrie Hewson and Maxine Audley. The stepmother wants Signorina Esmerelda to get married to Prince Edward, and will stop at nothing to achieve her aim.

The movie stands out through its incredible musical numbers, which were composed by the famous duo of Richard and Robert Sherman, who also co-wrote the songs for "Mary Poppins". The songs featured in the movie were inventive and catchy, and helped bring the story to life. Highlights of the musical score include "Once I Was Loved", which introduces Cinderella's story and "Why Can't I Be Two People?" a song that perfectly captures the conflicted feelings of Prince Edward.

The cast of the movie delivered great performances, with Richard Chamberlain in particular standing out for his portrayal of Prince Edward. Chamberlain played the role with perfect balance, showcasing the character's playfulness, charm, and his sense of duty.

Gemma Craven, on the other hand, portrayed a perfect Cinderella, balancing the character's vulnerability with her strength and determination to overcome her difficult situation. The chemistry between the two main actors was undeniable, and their performances really brought the movie's central love story to life.

Annette Crosbie also delivered an incredible performance as Cinderella's wicked stepmother, a character that was both utterly loathsome and strangely comedic. The other supporting actors were also great in their respective roles, with Michael Hordern playing the role of the prince's best friend and confidante with great charm and warmth.

One of the great things about "The Slipper and the Rose" was the way it updated the story of Cinderella while also retaining the essential elements of the original tale. The movie's plot was well crafted, blending elements of romance, comedy, and action to create an engaging and enjoyable film that audiences of all ages could enjoy.

Overall, "The Slipper and the Rose" is a charming and entertaining movie that is well worth watching. The beautiful musical score, great performances by the cast, and the clever new take on the classic fairy tale makes this movie a must-watch for fans of musicals and fantasy stories.

Slipper and the Rose is a 1976 music movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 23 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.