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Starring Mick Jagger and Barbara Hershey
"Let no one know that you have a little bird who tells you everything."
Another tale by Hans Christian Andersen is faithfully adapted in this elegant production. Mick Jagger,
who seems a very unlikely choice for the role of an Asian Emperor, gives a surprisingly deep performance. He portrays the
emperor as both frustrated and frightened. The story of the emperor who finds true friendship in an ugly bird with a sweet
voice rings very true to life in many ways. The real surprise is to see Barbara Hershey in one of her earlier roles. Her part
as the little Kitchen Maid who loves the Emperor seems bigger than it was meant to be, due to Hershey's fantastic performance
- she very nearly steals the show. The climatic scene in the emperor's chamber where he conquers death is very spooky, one
that I wouldn't recommend for very young children, as I know that it terrified me for a year when I was little. Shelley Duvall
narrates and voices the Nightingale. She has a sweet voice and when you think about it, is perfect for the job. Her soft,
soothing voice is very comforting and they couldn't have found a better one. This is one of the sweetest and truest faerie
tales out there. I give it the highest recommendation.
Trivia:
Anjelica Huston and Jerry Hall have a cameos as Primrose
and Pansy.
Although set in Cathay (ancient China) none of the lead actors
are Asian: Shelley Duvall and Barbara Hershey are American, Edward James Olmos is Mexican, and Mick Jagger is British.
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