Main Cast: Coral Browne, Ian Holm, Peter Gallagher, Nicola Cowper, Caris Corfman, Amelia Shankley
Release Year: 1985
Country: UK
Run Time: 94 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Plot
Irreverent British writer Dennis Potter speaks aloud what many literary historians have only postulated in whispers in Dreamchild. The film is set in 1932, on the 100th anniversary of the birth of Alice in Wonderland creator Lewis Carroll. The guest of honor at the New York-based celebration is 80-year-old Alice Liddell (Coral Browne), who as a child inspired Carroll's whimsical novels. Amidst the cajoling of both devoted fans and fast-buck hustlers, the grim-faced Alice tries to remain calm and dignified. What none of the idolaters suspect is that Alice harbors a long-suppressed secret concerning her "very special" relationship with Carroll -- a secret revealed in an extremely tasteful fashion during a flashback sequence, featuring Amelia Shankley as young Alice and Ian Holm as Charles Dodgson, the virginal, child-obsessed clergyman whom the world knew as Lewis Carroll. The darkness of Dennis Potter's vision is lightened by Muppeteer Jim Henson's marvelous three-dimensional renditions of the Wonderland and Looking Glass characters. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Jane Asher - Mrs. Liddell; Imogen Boorman - Loriona; Emma King - Edith; Shane Rimmer - Mr. Marl; William Hootkins - Radio Actor; Ron Mueck - Gryphon; Steve Whitmire - Mock Turtle; Karen Prell - Dormouse; Michael Sundin - March Hare; Fulton Mackay - Gryphon; Alan Bennett - Mock Turtle; Julie Walters - Dormouse; Anthony Haygarth - Mad Hatter; Frank Middlemass - Caterpillar; Roger Ashton-Griffiths - Rev. Duckworth; Ron Berglas - Editor; Danny Brainin - Reporter/Photographer; Nigel Hawthorne; Olivier Pierre - President of University; Alan Sherman - Reporter; Pat Starr - Radio Actress; Ron Travis - Editor; James Wilby - Baker; Rupert Wainwright - Hargreaves; Peter Banks - Editor; Sam Douglas - Reporter; Big Mick - Mad Hatter; Jeffrey Chiswick - Radio Actor; Thomasine Heiner - Announcer/Chairman; Derek Hoxby - Editor; Johnny M. - 1st Crooner; Tony Mansell - Waldorf Astoria Crooner; Peter Whitman - Radio Producer; Ken Campbell - Radio Sound Effects Man
Credit
Marianne Ford - Art Director, Len Huntingford - Art Director, Gates McFadden - Choreography, Jane Robinson - Costume Designer, Gavin Millar - Director, Angus Newton - Editor, Stanley Myers - Composer (Music Score), Hans Zimmer - Composer (Music Score), Max Harris - Composer (Music Score), Eddie Knight - Makeup, Roger Hall - Production Designer, Billy Williams - Cinematographer, Verity Lambert - Producer, Rick McCallum - Producer, Dennis Potter - Producer, Kenith Trodd - Producer, Dennis Potter - Screenwriter, Lewis Carroll - Book Author
