Faerie Tale Theatre (TV Series) Rapunzel (1983) User Reviews

One of the best episodes of Duvall's Faeire Tale Theatre

[MissSimonetta · 8/10 · 2 November 2014]

Armed with a fantastic cast, funny and poignant writing, and beautiful art direction, this adaptation of Rapunzel is arguably the best episode of Shelly Duvall's classic series.

The appeal of this adaptation comes from the balance of elements: comedy, drama, and romance are all allowed to coexist without one trumping the other. The episode also never mocks the more outlandish aspects of the original story (how many times have we seen modern fairy tale adaptations such as Frozen (2013) mock the love at first sight trope with little originality or intelligence?). It plays everything straight with a great deal of affection.

Surprisingly, this episode keeps the sexual elements of the original tale intact with the prince visiting Rapunzel every night and her giving birth to twins in the desert after the witch learns about their evening trysts.

All in all, a beautiful and emotionally resonant adaptation. Must-see for fairy tale lovers and ideal for kids too.

Let Down Your Hair, Rapunzel

[BatBanks · 8/10 · 15 May 2014]

I first saw this episode when my special ed teacher show to me and my classmates when I was nine. I saw again as young woman now after having as Christmas present. I like this version of Rapunzel, Disney new version of Rapunzel "Tangled" was good as well. Jeff Bridges and Shelley Duvall play dual roles as Rapunzel's parents and prince and Rapunzel. Gena Rowland is good as the wicked sorceress who like Rapunzel and did a lot wicked things. Jeff Bridges made a handsome prince in that. Shelley Duvall is good too also with her singing voice in the episode, but she is some-what miscast as Rapunzel she not very attractive to play but she and Jeff did have good chemistry. This my favorite episode in Faerie Tale Theatre.

Very easy to let your hair down to

[TheLittleSongbird · 8/10 · 17 June 2017]

There is a lot to like about the 'Faerie Tale Theatre' series. Many of their adaptations of various well-known and well-loved fairy tales are charming, clever and sometimes funny. 'Faerie Tale Theatre' puts its own magical spin on the best of the episodes while still capturing the essence of the stories.

'Rapunzel' is not one of my favourite stories but is still lovely and it's unsurprising that it's still regarded fondly. 'Faerie Tale Theatre's' adaptation of the story of 'Rapunzel' is very well done on the whole and one of the standouts of the series. "Rapunzel" is a little too drawn out to start with and some of the special effects are on the cheap side.

With all that being said, in terms of the visual look and design, "Rapunzel" on the most part is one of the series' better looking episodes. The sets are colourful and simply quaint and the costumes are a step up from the low-quality shoestring-budget quality seen in other episodes of the show. It's all very pleasingly photographed too.

Music is suitably whimsical that matches the atmosphere well. The script has a great balance of never less than amusing comedy elements without being overdone, crude or cheesy and romantic elements that are genuinely touching and never too mawkish, neither one of them overpowering the other. The magic is similarly there, as well as the agreed sexual elements that one doesn't get in some other adaptations of 'Rapunzel'.

Storytelling is always charming, and the way it's approached is perfect, playing it in as straight a way as possible, instead of being too much for laughs or too seriously, and very affectionately too. The characters are engaging, while Roddy McDowell is a warm narrator.

Gene Rowlands clearly enjoys herself as the Witch, while Shelley Duvall beguiles in the title role and she is well matched in good chemistry with Jeff Bridges' dashing Prince.

In conclusion, very good and easy to let your hair down to. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair.

[Mandice · 7 November 2001]

A hair-curling fairy tale brought to life by Miss Duvall, who saves a bit on expenses and takes on dual roles for the movie.

The story remains fairly faithful to the original Grimm Tale, so watching it with your children might not be such a bad idea. Comical moments and bits of magic truly make this worth the watch. (Most video stores keep a copy in their family or children sections.)

Excellent Telling of the Classic Story

[rachelrachel-33431 · 9/10 · 30 December 2021]

Shelley Duvall stars as both the title character and the title character's mother in this charming adaptation of Rapunzel with Jeff Bridges also pulling double duty as Rapunzel's father and Rapunzel's prince. Gena Rowlands is the big star here as the wicked witch who steals Rapunzel and puts her up in a secluded tower. She embraces both the pathos of the character and the inherent camp.

Too Drawn-Out

[zkonedog · 3/10 · 12 March 2017]

For whatever reason, I vividly remember watching this FTT episode as a child. Unfortunately, watching it as an adult (with a younger sibling) did not live up to the billing.

The first half of the episode is so drawn out to be boring, while the second half is filled with cheesy dialogue and weird (often disturbing, for young children) special effects.

The main guest stars in this one are Jeff Bridges, Shelley Duvall, and Gina Rowlands.

Skip this installment and move along to better ones that indeed exists.

Affecting performance by Shelley

[lor_ · 4 February 2023]

This is a faithful rendering of "Rapunzel", directed by Gilbert Cates. Duvall takes the title role in a deeply affecting, wide-eyed and naturalistic performance, also doubling as Rapunzel's mother. Gena Rowlands, extravagantly madeup with a curly blonde wig, gives gthe wicke witch part a gripping, multi-dimensional quality, while Jeff Bridges is winning as the prince and doubling as Rapunzel's dad.

It was issued the year after its Showtime premiere on a CBS/Fox video cassette with four other episodes: "Sleeping Beauty", "The Tale of the Frog Prince", "Jack and the Beanstalk" and "Goldilocks and the Three Bears".