The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

Unshakable, witty and deeply felt, the film will be paying emotional dividends for a long, long time.

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

I first saw this movie when i was around six years old. my grandmother gave it to me amongst a whole lode of other videos that she was clearing out. it is easiest to say that i have never been so grateful to her in all my life than when i discovered this movie. This is a masterpiece of movie magic, although it may be based on one of the most over told stories ion modern media, it is like no others in its field. with extremely talented actors and an amazing soundtrack that makes you want to laugh, sing and cry,and I'm not ashamed to say that i know all of the words. It is by far my all time favourite movie, and a must see.

I should clarify that I actually love "Cinderella" stories. I think what I really love is the challenge of how each subsequent version is going to differ from (or somehow outshine) the last one. Each Cinderella story is infused with new things, old things, and just plain bizarre things. In this telling, there is much more emphasis on the prince- after all, Richard Chamberlain is top billed. Unfortunately, the characterization of his prince Edward is no different from any other fictional depiction of royalty: born of privilege, but hating it and wanting to live like 'regular people.' (If these were actual royal figures, such a wish would never commence.) The story also expands roughly a half hour beyond the glass slipper finding its rightful owner, and for me this dragged the film out considerably. Nevertheless, it's still the quintessential fairy story.Yet I am amazed that so many posters hail it as some sort of Kirousawa-like masterpiece. Is this because it's a British film? We always seem to rate European films just a little higher than American ones, calling them high art and so forth. And as critical as so many are especially about musical films recently- RENT, CHICAGO, THE PRODUCERS, and perhaps most acerbically and nastily, DREAMGIRLS- they all seem to turn a deaf ear on this one. I did like the costumes and set pieces, but was not thrilled with most of the Sherman Brothers' score- save two rather exquisite songs. It paces a bit sluggishly and, at 143 minutes, is about 43 minutes too long. There are two saving graces: One is in the name of Annette Crosbie. Her fairy godmother is a dream and a scream at the same time. Possessing incredibly dry wit and very sly on the subject of magic, it appears that she works with other famous fairy tale heroines (some of whom are referenced throughout the film). Her introduction to Cinderella as a simple, practical woman who shuns the "sparkle and glitter," and seems to want to unionize fairies worldwide, is hilarious. And the rags-to-riches sequence built around the song "Suddenly It Happens" is magical indeed. (How could it not be, with mice that turn into ballet dancers even before they turn into horses?) The other saving grace is the ball: easily some of the most exquisite costumes ever assembled for a period film, all in an amazing rainbow of sherbet-like pastels. The ball sequence is climaxed by a glorious grand waltz, which begins with two dancers on an empty floor, then adds other couples- two and four at a time- joining into the swirling and spinning choreography, until all are waltzing in the same direction and having a marvelous time. A truly breathtaking sequence. I almost wished the film had ended right there.

I received this movie as a gift from a good friend. I was wonderfully surprised. If you love the Fary Tales, you will love this. It is unique enough to keep you interested and the music is written well enough you don't feel the need to skip to the next scene. Although it is an older version, I didn't feel that that detracted from the charm, it's still works today. It will be a movie you will watch again. The filming is decent, with beautiful scenery, and the actors do a good job. Richard and Gemma have a good chemistry that works well together. Richard gives Prince Charming more personality than your Disney version - Thankfully. Gemma's Cinderella has a deeper role that shows why she was everything the fairy tales hinted at.Really a lovely addition to your Library.Enjoy

Honestly, I really wanted to love this film. The Sherman Brothers ("Mary Poppins," "Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang" etc.) write great tunes. Somehow, I missed this during its original release, and now I know why. The new DVD transfer is pristine. However, it reveals a typical mid-70s film, with a muted color scheme, bland score and surprisingly inept choreography.Not a single song creates an impression. While the locations are indeed lush (Austria), I feel they are often misused. The acting is adequate. Several performance numbers grind the production to a complete halt. (The "mice" dancing their way to the "pumpkin" coach is ridiculous, as is the "kitchen hoedown" scene.) The special effects are sub-par, especially by late-70s standards.Having watched the special edition DVD, I understand the Shermans unique take on the legend - from the Prince's point of view. However, attempting any kind of musical retelling after Rodger's & Hammerstein's classic, is dubious, at best. Frankly, I kept hoping to hear those R & H classics against this more sophisticated background. My only complaint with the R & H versions (all three), is the slight campiness of the material.A few surprises in this "Slipper" version.......the opulence of Cinderella's late father's castle; it often looks nicer than the Prince's abode. The ball scene is strangely stilted. The first "reunion" of Cinderella and the Prince appears an afterthought. The peppy dance number in the royal family's mausoleum is quite bizarre!! The dog's presence is unnecessary (apparently he was owned by the director).In a nutshell, considering the talent involved, and the $5 million budget (a LOT in 1976), I really expected a classic. It is not.Yes, worth a viewing. If only I could remember ONE of the tunes.