Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse
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| Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse | |
|---|---|
| Genre | |
| Written by | Abigail Wilson |
| Directed by | David Kerr |
| Starring | |
| Narrated by | John Hannah |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Producer |
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| Cinematography | John Conroy |
| Running time | 89 minutes |
| Production company | Hartswood Films |
| Original release | |
| Network | Sky One |
| Release | 24 December 2020 |
Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse is a Sky original made-for-television drama film[3][4][5] inspired by the true story of a six-year-old Roald Dahl meeting his idol Beatrix Potter. It was written by Abigail Wilson and directed by David Kerr starring Dawn French as Beatrix Potter, Rob Brydon as William Heelis and Jessica Hynes as Sofie Dahl.
Storyline
[edit]Set in 1922, Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse is a comedy drama inspired by the true story which follows six-year-old Roald Dahl (Harry Tayler) as he sets off on an adventure to meet his favourite author, Beatrix Potter (Dawn French).
The famed author is coming to the end of her career. With her publisher hounding her for her next draft, she is unable to concentrate and has had enough of writing children's books. It is not just her motivation that she has lost—her optometrist has recognised she has failing eyesight. With Christmas approaching, Beatrix is pressured, feeling increasingly out of touch with her readers, not to mention the trespassing fans and jovial door-knocking carol singers.
Her Cumbrian farm and ever-growing Herdwick sheep flock, her long-suffering husband William and disobedient animals including a much loved pig called Sally, act as her only real comfort as she looks for inspiration and resists taking the easy way out with her publisher.
Two hundred or so miles away in Wales, life is changing for an anxious young boy called Roald. Having recently lost his older sister and now his father, the once happy six-year-old has found solace and comfort in books. The beloved tales of Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddle-Duck fill his mind, distracting him from the funeral, sadness and the revelation that he might be sent to boarding school.
Wanting to run away, he is encouraged by his mother Sofie (Jessica Hynes) to follow his dreams and visit his hero Beatrix Potter. Roald pushes his anxiety aside and they set off on his first big adventure. Their extraordinary journey is filled with unpredictable and humorous characters all of whom ignite Roald's imagination and provide comfort to his grieving mother.
The dream of meeting his favourite author is eventually realised and their very special encounter proves to be both a magical and life changing moment for them both.
Cast
[edit]- Dawn French[6][7] as Beatrix Potter
- Rob Brydon[8] as William Heelis
- Jessica Hynes[9] as Sofie Dahl
- Harry Tayler as young Roald Dahl
- Alison Steadman as Dora
- Bill Bailey as Bona Fide Gent
- Nina Sosanya as Anne Landy
- Nick Mohammed as Mr. Entwhistle
Production
[edit]Filming
[edit]Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse was filmed in Wales[10]
Title sequence
[edit]The title sequence is animated to look like layers of cut out paper. It was made by Peter Anderson Studio.[11][12] The sequence won an RTS award in the category 'Design – Titles' in 2021,[13] with the jury noting “these titles were, enchanting, playful and nicely put together. They were charming and original and were everything a title sequence should be”.[13] The sequence was also nominated for a BAFTA award at the British Academy Television Craft Awards in the category 'Television Craft | Titles & Graphic Identity' in 2021.[12]
Critical reception
[edit]Reviewing the book for the Financial Times, Suzy Feay wrote "a Christmas classic is born".[14] Anita Singh at The Telegraph gave it three stars and called it "A sweet tale of a very unlikely meeting".[15] The Spectator said it was "essential national viewing".[16] while The Independent also gave it three stars with Adam White mentioning "This only-slightly-true Sky One film is gentle fun for all the family."[17] Lauren Morris at The Radio Times gave it four stars, describing it as a "heart-warming Christmas tonic for fans of all ages."[18]
References
[edit]- ^ "Meet the cast of Sky One's Roald and Beatrix, 8 December 2020". Radio Times.
- ^ "Roald & Beatrix: the Tail of the Curious Mouse cast: Who stars in Sky One film, and what time it's on tonight, 24 December 2020". iNews.
- ^ "First look at Roald & Beatrix starring Dawn French with special cameo from Bill Bailey, 17 November 2020". Radio Times. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
- ^ "When is Roald and Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse on TV?, 30 November 2020". Radio Times. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
- ^ "Roald & Beatrix is a slow-burning, yet heart-warming Christmas tonic for fans of all ages, 24 December 2020". Radio Times. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
- ^ "Dawn French reveals heart-warming true story behind new Christmas treat Roald & Beatrix by Francesca Shillock, 24 December 2020". Hello Magazine. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
- ^ "Dawn French on her latest book, playing Beatrix Potter and bringing back The Vicar of Dibley for Christmas, 15 December 2020". Radio Times.
- ^ "Gavin & Stacey stars Rob Brydon and Alison Steadman reunite in Wales for Roald & Beatrix film on Sky, 24 August 2020". WalesOnline.
- ^ "Jessica Hynes on playing Roald Dahl's mother, filming during the pandemic and series three of There She Goes, 24 December 2020". Radio Times.
- ^ "The Welsh locations where Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse was filmed". WalesOnline.
- ^ "Roald Beatrix Title Sequence". Peter Anderson Studio. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
- ^ a b "2021 Television Craft Titles & Graphic Identity | BAFTA Awards". awards.bafta.org. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
- ^ a b "Winners announced for the RTS Craft & Design Awards 2021". Royal Television Society. November 22, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
- ^ "Roald and Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse — a Christmas classic is born, reviewed by Suzy Feay, 24 December 2020". Financial Times.
- ^ "Roald and Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse, review: a sweet tale of a very unlikely meeting by Anita Singh, 24 December 2020". The Telegraph.
- ^ https://life.spectator.co.uk/articles/why-the-curious-tale-of-roald-and-beatrix-is-a-must-watch/
- ^ "Roald & Beatrix – The Tail of the Curious Mouse review: Festive nostalgia marred by Dahl's real-life antisemitism, reviewed by Adam White, 24 December 2020". The Independent.
- ^ "Roald & Beatrix is a slow-burning yet heart-warming Christmas tonic for fans of all ages, 24 December 2020". Radio Tiimes.