Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.0

Dreamchild Blu-ray Movie Review

Dreamchild is a compelling dramatic-narrative exploring the inspiration behind the tale of Alice in Wonderland. Produced by Rick McCallum (A United Kingdom, Radioland Murders) and Kenith Trodd (Pennies from Heaven, The Singing Detective), Dreamchild includes creative special effects and puppetry from the Jim Henson Muppet creature workshop. Executive produced by Verity Lambert (Shoulder to Shoulder, Love Soup) and Dennis Potter (Screen Two, Lipstick on Your Collar), Dreamchild includes a strong ensemble cast including Coral Browne, Amelia Shankley, Ian Holm, Amelia Shankley, Peter Gallagher, Caris Corfman, Nicola Cowper, and Jane Asher. A tale of the imagination in us all.

Alice Hargreaves (Coral Browne) is now 80 years old and remembering her past journeys through life. As the narrative unfolds, Dreamchild explores her youth as Little Alice (Amelia Shankley) and the unique encounters she had with the Reverend Charles L. Dodgson (Ian Holm) – who would go on to pen the tales of Alice in Wonderland as Lewis Carroll. Reverend Charles L. Dodgson was both author and mathematician and Dreamchild explores his strange and otherworldly imagination (with a world inhabited by strange creatures). Set against the backdrop of New York circa the 1930s, Dreamchild weaves together a tale of fantasy and reality to explore the creation of Alice in Wonderland. A tale about life – and all of its stages.

Coral Browne delivers a worthwhile performance as Alice Hargreaves. The performance taps in to what it feels like to reflect on something and look back at the past with introspective eyes. The role is one of quiet wonder and as a result the performance works quite well. The young Alice, performed by Amelia Shankley, makes a solid impression as well (especially in juxtaposition to the Muppets from the Jim Henson workshop). Ian Holm is as impressive as always and delivers a subtle and compelling performance.

The cinematography by Billy Williams (On Golden Pond, The Wind and the Lion) is one of the best aspects of the production. Williams has a keen visual sensibility as a cinematographer. The effort certainly shines. The cinematography is often darker and bleaker in aesthetic than one might expect to find from the production – or perhaps not, as Alice in Wonderland has always had a darkness beneath the surface. A solid effort from Williams.

The production design by Roger Hall (Highlander II: The Quickening, Merlin) is excellent and there is a lot to appreciate about the effort. Hall is a compelling production designer and the results certainly make a solid impression. Hall understands that the production design is fundamental to bringing the tale of Alice in Wonderland to life and the stages and creative flourishes add to the experience. The art direction by Marianne Ford (Nouvelles d'Henry James) and Len Huntingford (Chariots of Fire, Rawhead Rex) contributes to these fantastical elements as well.

Perhaps the most compelling element of the production is the Jim Henson Muppet creature workshop elements. The myriad of creatures from Alice in Wonderland are brought to life with an interesting array of designs. These designs are often quite surreal and haunting. One can’t help but imagine young viewers having terrible nightmares because of these often scary and strange designs – darker from what I had expected to find in this tale but compelling nonetheless.

The costumes by Jane Robinson (Indian Summer, Memphis Belle) are a highlight of the production. Robinson has a keen understanding of costume design. The costumes for the production are sophisticated and compelling. These designs impress throughout the film (and the different stages of the tale). A solid effort by Robinson. 

The score by Stanley Myers (The Witches, The Deer Hunter) is a compelling element of the film, too. The score certainly evokes a sense of surrealism at times. Dreamchild is a surrealist and haunting film during some key sequences and the composer understands the necessary ingredients for the production. The score certainly helps the tale to unfold with even more visual wonder.

Edited by Angus Newton (Vampire’s Kiss, The Crow Road), Dreamchild is a generally well-paced and edited effort and there is a lot to appreciate here. The production doesn’t drag its feet too much. The editing is fluid and compelling. Though this isn’t necessarily a perfectly paced edit in every section of the film, Dreamchild is compelling nonetheless, and it works on the whole.

The screenplay by Dennis Potter (Gorky Park, Pennies from Heaven) adds some depth to the production. The script does a good job of exploring the characters and the more dramatic undercurrents of the tale. The story evokes a certain sense of nostalgia that feels inherit in the screenplay.

Directed by Gavin Millar (The Crow Road, Tidy Endings), Dreamchild is a fascinating production. Though the film might not be as good as viewing an actual adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, the director had fun exploring the world of Alice in Wonderland and providing a unique approach to the tale (with the emphasis being on the origins). A reasonably compelling directorial effort by Millar.

Dreamchild Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, Dreamchild is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1 widescreen. The presentation is not noted as being from a new remaster and yet the scan looks exceptional throughout and offers a nice layer of natural looking film grain.

The print quality on the release is excellent and far exceeded my own expectations (given the presentation was not listed as being a new restoration). Colors look quite excellent during the presentation and there is a nice sense of depth to the image. The image is sharp and organic looking. Dreamchild certainly has a unique cinematographic style and one that this release capably reproduces.

Dreamchild Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. The lossless audio quality on the release is quite impressive sounding. Dialogue sounds crisp, clear, and easy to understand. The soundstage is clean sounding and the soundtrack is well reproduced. This is a pleasing audio presentation and one that doesn't suffer from egregious issues (such as hiss or crackle). A quality lossless master provided by distributor Kino.

Dreamchild Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio Commentary by Author/Historian Lee Gambin

Peter Medak Remembers Coral Browne – Audio Only Interview Moderated by Lee Gambin (HD, 21:49)

Dreamchild – Trailer (HD, 2:57)

Pufnstuf – Trailer (HD, 2:50)

The Railway Children – Trailer (SD, 4:04)

Dreamchild Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Dreamchild is far from a classic. Yet the film has an array of impressive production elements and strong performances. The main draw of the film is likely to be the creative Muppet designs by the Jim Henson workshop. Dreamchild is also a great showcase for the ensemble cast – including stars Coral Browne, Amelia Shankley, and Ian Holm.

The Blu-ray release from Kino Lorber includes a solid video and audio presentation. The release also includes some noteworthy supplemental features, including an audio commentary track featuring author Lee Gambin. The release even provides an audio only interview featuring Peter Medak (as moderated by Lee Gambin). Recommended.