Alice (1982 film)
1982 Polish film
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Alice (a.k.a. Alicja) is a 1982 musical-fantasy film directed by Jacek Bromski. A Belgian and Polish co-production, it is a modern telling of Lewis Carroll's 1865 Alice's Adventures in Wonderland story and stars French actress Sophie Barjac in the title role. Jean-Pierre Cassel plays the jogger named Rabbit with whom Alice falls in love; Susannah York, Paul Nicholas, Jack Wild, Tracy Hyde, Peter Straker and Dominic Guard all have supporting roles.
Jerzy Gruza
Jerzy Gruza
Judy Raines
Susannah York
| Alicja | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Jacek Bromski Jerzy Gruza |
| Written by | Jacek Bromski Jerzy Gruza Judy Raines Susannah York |
| Based on | |
| Starring | Sophie Barjac Jean-Pierre Cassel Susannah York Paul Nicholas Jack Wild Tracy Hyde Dominic Guard |
| Cinematography | Alec Mills Witold Sobociński |
| Edited by | Bill Blunden |
| Music by | Henri Seroka; Lulu |
| Distributed by | Zjednoczenie Rozpowszechniania Filmów |
Release date |
|
Running time | 96 minutes |
| Country | Poland |
| Languages | Polish English |
The film features a musical score by Henri Seroka and lyrics by Gyllianna. Barjac's vocals were dubbed by the Scottish singer Lulu. The film is relatively obscure despite the participation of well-known talent.
Plot
The screenplay draws its inspiration loosely from Carroll's story, but begins with Alice witnessing a murder.[1]
Cast
- Sophie Barjac as Alice
- Jean-Pierre Cassel as Rabbit
- Susannah York as Queenie
- Paul Nicholas as Cheshire Cat / Caterpillar
- Lulu as Alice (singing voice)
- Tracy Hyde as Mona
- Jack Wild as Mock Turtle
- Dominic Guard as Gryphon
- Peter Straker as Mad Hatter
- Marc Seaberg as March Hare
- David Toguri as Duchess
Music
All of the main cast have singing parts, with the exception of Barjac whose vocals were performed by Lulu. She is featured as a soloist on three songs: "Hello My Friend", "Love is the Answer", and "Maybe I'm In Love Again"; and in duet and ensemble performances of several other songs. The complete soundtrack was released as a double LP in Poland, with a selection of excerpts also released on cassette. [2]
Release
The film was internationally released as Alice or Alicja; and to German-speaking audiences under the title Alicja im Horrorland.[3] In 1986 it was released on VHS in the United States and Canada by Karl-Lorimar Home Video, and later on an English-language DVD in Poland with Polish and French subtitles, packaged with an accompanying soundtrack CD.
Reception
The film is considered a curiosity "worth seeking out" "(f)or anyone who’s a Lulu fan".[4] This version is also said to emphasize Carroll's obsessiveness.[5] Leonard Maltin found it "entertaining".[6] A retrospective review of the DVD version praised the music and choreography but is very negative about all the rest, the plot in particular, deemed non-existent.[7]
