Author JM Barrie had a great love of children, so much so that, in 1929, he turned over all rights to his most beloved story, Peter Pan to the Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital in London which continues to receive royalties to this day every time a production of the play is put on or Peter Pan books and other products are sold.
The story of Peter Pan, the boy who refused to grow up, has been told countless times and in this reimaging, we relive the adventure through Wendy’s eyes. It’s a story within a story however, opening with the admission of young Lucy (Hazel Doupe) into the Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital for life-saving surgery. While admitted, she helps distract other young patients by reading them the story of Peter Pan. Each child becomes one of the characters in their own imagination as, once again, we fly to the second star to the right, and straight on till morning, where adventure awaits with the Lost Boys, Redskins, mermaids and pirates.
Paloma Faith is the jealous fairy Tinker Bell and it’s interesting to note that the film almost breaks the fourth wall during her death scene, encouraging children everywhere to shout out that they believe in fairies so she can be restored to life. This interactive device is used in stage pantomimes and is an unexpected but well-delivered twist to the story’s usual cinematic outings.
Also in the cast is the ever-reliable Stanley Tucci who takes on the roles of Captain Hook, Mr Darling and the hospital doctor. Wendy’s siblings are played by Patrick Williams and Maurice Cole as Michael and John respectively, with Natifa Mai as Tiger Lily and Zak Sutcliffe making a marvellous screen debut as Peter Pan.
Peter and Wendy is delightful viewing that the whole family can enjoy. As a made-for-TV film, it’s aimed at entertaining people of all ages and it succeeds admirably. It’s particularly refreshing seeing the hospital’s history tied into the story and the young cast of patients/Never Never Land characters adds a whopping dose of sentimentality to it. Writer Adrian Hodges has given JM Barrie’s story the twist it needs to make it fresh again.
Reviewed by Rod Lewis
Twitter: @StrtegicRetweet
Rating out of 10: 8
Peter and Wendy is out this month on DVD and Digital.
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