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Synopsis: A Shakespearian 'comedy' where he loves her, but she loves another, and he loves yet another, etc. Sprinkle in some mischievous fairies, and a side story about a ragtag troupe of actors, and you have nothing but two hours of sidesplitting hilarity! (not!)
Sebastian Shaw's role: Quince, a director of a play
I must admit: I am the artsy-fartsy type. I don't need explosions, guns, kung fu or boobs in a movie in order to enjoy it (unlike a lot of the other staff here at SebastianShaw.com). So I have no problem watching a play, or listening to Shakespeare.
But this movie was a snooozer to sit through. It's labeled a comedy, but my laugh count totaled a big fat GOOSE EGG. I couldn't wait for it to be over.
The fact that it was filmed in 1969 didn't help it. The director decided to use handheld cameras for the entire production, which gave it the look of. . .a movie made in 1969. The ladies wore 60's skirts and go-go boots, but the gents wore Little Lord Fauntleroy frilly shirts that looked ridiculous.
And then there were all of these green fairies popping in and out with the same special-effect magic that Barbara Eden used in I Dream of Genie. Stop the film. Pop! There she is!
The fairies looked like they were on the set of Star Trek, and I wouldn't have been too surprised to see Captain Kirk walk on set and start making out with the hot, scantily clad Fairy Queen.
The best part about this movie is all of the actors that popped up and surprised me. David Warner, aka Sark from Tron, is one of the main dudes. Ian Holm, aka Bilbo from Lord of the Rings, plays one of the main fairies. And Diana Rigg, aka Miss Emma Peel from The Avengers, plays the girl no one is interested in. As if! She is definitely the hottie in this film.
So here's the plot. Two guys love one girl, but she only likes one. Another girl likes one of the guys, but he doesn't like her anymore. the original run away. Some meddling forest-fairies start sprinkling magic in their sleeping eyes, so they'll fall in love with whomever they see next. But it's always the wrong person. This leads to mix-up after mix-up, and it kind of plays like a Shakespearian version of Three's Company. At one point, the fairy queen falls in love with a man who's been changed into a donkey. I'm sure in Shakespeare's day this was very, very funny. Just image the audience: "She's fallen for an ass! Ho ho! Huzzah!" But it will probably leave you reaching for the FF key on your remote.
"Yes," you say. "But what about Sebastian Shaw!"
Sebastian plays this cat named Quince. He's putting on a play and dishing out parts to all of the actors. Shakespeare must have written this part about himself, and the funny little things the actors and crew say and do behind the scenes. Shaw uses a funny little voice, and has funny little glasses and a funny little hat. But honestly, it doesn't make this lame movie any funnier.
I can't talk any more about this dumb movie. I hate it.
The Shaw Factor: Even if you like Shaw, you won't get anything worthwhile out of this film. He's not in it nearly enough to subject yourself to this nonsense.
Character Vices: Apparently none.
Character Death: No
Available on VHS / DVD? Yeah, you can find in around on VHS.
Conclusion: No way, Jose. Run. RUN!
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Sebastian speaks with a silly voice and wears a silly hat in this movie.
Hey, it's Bilbo Baggins hanging out in the poison ivy! Or is it the HULK?
"The Master Control Program has chosen you to serve your system on the game grid!".
This is the only Sebastian Shaw movie with a donkey-man and green babes.
Awww yeah!
Who can resist that wonderful Sebastian Shaw smile?
