The Prince and the Pauper (2000)

Adequate "loose" adaptation with mediocre performances makes this more "pauper" than "prince"

Ah.... HALLMARK HOME ENTERTAINMENT, the production company of clean boring stories for the family! Sorry, but with so many other versions of THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER done over the years, this production for all of it's star power (Alan Bates, Aidan Quinn and Jonathan Hyde) is rather generic and ultimately unsatisfying. The screenplay is pretty choppy and cuts through alot of the book in order to make the 90 minute deadline required to fit in all of the advertisers.Aidan Quinn is SO much better than this. His role as the king's protector, Miles Hendon, is pretty much nothing! The film has a VERY made-for-television look and feel.

What I did find good about this production was the use of real life twins, Robert and Jonathan Timmins to play Edward and Tom. Generally, other productions have used the same actor to play the mirror images. Ultimately what made this film most enjoyable is the excellent soundtrack by veteran composer Stanislas Syrewicz. He has a wonderful sense of period music and he has created a very enjoyable soundtrack that far exceeds the accomplishments of the film itself. Syrewicz's other notes of work are the sountracks to THE CLANDESTINE MARRIAGE, NORA, SEPARATE LIES and THE HOLCROFT COVENANT. June 14, 2007

EXCELLENT, FUN TO WATCH MOVIE!

I first saw this video in my language class. I immediately fell in love with it! Just to let you know, I'm actually almost 14. Even though the acting doesn't really compare with a real star; it still seems to have a likeable side to it. I kept wanting to watch it until the end! I never got tired of it. It's a VERY interesting video. I would reccomend it for kids about my age, but I don't think adults would be very partial towards it. If you want a movie to promote your kid to read a classic or just have a good time; I would deffinitely reccomend this! It's terrific! April 1, 2003

MIRROR IMAGES

Everyone is no doubt familiar with Mark Twain's classic work of two boys (one a prince, the other a pauper) exchanging identities. In this latest film remake of The Prince and The Pauper (put out by Hallmark Entertainment) we are given an interesting spin on the story. The story line stays intact but subtle emphasis is placed on the two characters' fathers.

Prince Edward (Johnathan Timmons) and Tom Canty (Robert Timmons) have fathers that are mirror images of one another as the boys. Both sires exhibit a contempt for women, greed and an insatiable desire to control. Tenderness and mercy are not in the vocabulary of either the king nor the thief.

When the young boys exchange clothes they see the reality of life from both sides of the palace walls. Edward is confronted with poverty, unjust laws and the oppression of his father's terror. Tom witnesses the oppulance of the court, endless power plays and the ceaseless back biting. Both boys find themselves having to come to terms with their heritage and doing what they feel is just and right.

You won't find superb acting. The Timmons brothers do an adequate job in portraying the two characters. Miles (Aiden Quinn) shows a deep empathy for the pauper who is Edward. Alas the poor boy is mad thinking he is a prince then a king. Miles goes along with the game but after awhile is challenged by Edward to move beyond his own disillusions.

This is another good family video. It is entertaining and enjoyable. Mark Twain would no doubt enjoy this rendition of his work. March 1, 2002

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