During the Christmas Season, the British TV schedules include a number of excellent TV programmes and films which aim to provide enjoyable escapism for the whole family on the dark, cold December nights. Here is a list of particularly interesting TV programmes and films airing during the last fortnight of 2016, all of which are based on, or inspired by, fairy tales, mythology and classic children's stories. In order to make this list easier to put together, I am only including films and TV programmes on Britain's five terrestrial channels - BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.
Television
Paul O' Grady's Favourite Fairy Tales
When's It On? - Tuesday 20th December at 9PM (ITV1)
TV presenter Paul O'Grady, currently playing the Wicked Stepmother in the London Palladium's Christmas pantomime version of Cinderella, presents this documentary about the Brothers Grimm. In it, he looks at the German locations which inspired classic fairy tales such as Rapunzel and Snow White, and how these stories have evolved throughout the centuries. This documentary seems like it will be entertaining viewing for families and fairy tale enthusiasts, even if you are familiar with the insights which O'Grady offers.
Dancing The Nutcracker: Inside the Royal Ballet
When's It On? - Christmas Day at 4:00PM (BBC2)
The Royal Ballet's version of The Nutcracker, being performed to mark the 90th birthday of famed choreographer Peter Wright, is on at the Royal Opera House until January. In order to co-incide with its run, the Royal Ballet has provided a rare opportunity for TV audiences to see what life is like behind the scenes, as the company prepares for the production. Across three months of rehearsals, we get to see the cast, which ranges from 11 year-old pupils at the Royal Ballet School, to the woman playing the Sugar Plum Fairy herself, practise for their roles. We also get to see the technical crew in action, as the special effects are brought to life. If you are interested in seeing how an iconic ballet is made, or want an intelligent documentary to contrast with the usual Christmas Day entertainment, then then Dancing The Nutcracker: Inside The Royal Ballet is a must-see.
The Nation's Favourite Disney Songs
When's It On? - Boxing Day at 1:40PM (ITV)
This special was aired last year, but is being repeated during Boxing Day. If you haven't seen it already, The Nation's Favourite Disney Songs provides a countdown of the Top 10 Disney songs (according to a poll conducted by ITV), including classic tunes from iconic Disney films such as The Lion King, Frozen and The Jungle Book. The magician and TV presenter Stephen Mulhern narrates, as a number of celebrities, including McFly member Harry Judd and Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips, talk about why they love the songs on the countdown, with their children often providing additional praise. In addition, a number of people involved in the production of the Disney films mentioned, ranging from Mary Poppins star Jane Dotrice to Aladdin songwriter Sir Tim Rice, provide insight into what it was like to work on a Disney film and hear the classic songs being brought to life. This countdown provides a strong list of Disney songs, and even if you don't agree with it ("Classic" films from Walt Disney's lifetime are a little too dominant) it is interesting to see fans and experts talk about why these tunes are so appealing.
Revolting Rhymes
When's It On? - Boxing Day and Tuesday 27th December at 6:30PM (BBC1)
Roald Dahl's 1982 book Revolting Rhymes contained six poems which provided twisted and irreverent takes on classic fairy tales. In this two-part animated series, we get adaptations of five of these poems, with "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" being the only one not to be included.
The first episode depicts the friendship between Snow White and Little Red Riding Hood, as the former helps the Seven Dwarves make a fortune through gambling on horse racing, and the latter makes a living by hunting wolves. Meanwhile, the second episode combines the stories of Cinderella and Jack and the Beanstalk, with Cinderella finding out that her Prince Charming is not as nice as he appears, and Jack learning that the only way to get a happy ending is to improve his personal hygiene. A number of British actors, including David Walliams, Rob Brydon and Dominic West, voice multiple roles in both specials. Revolting Rhymes promise to be perfect fun for fans of Roald Dahl, and it seems like it will capture the hilarious tone of the source material.
Peter Pan Goes Wrong
When's It On? - New Year's Eve at 6:20PM (BBC1)
Mischief Theatre have become the one of the biggest names in West End theatre due to farces such as The Play That Goes Wrong and The Comedy About A Bank Robbery. They have become so popular that their Christmas play Peter Pan Goes Wrong will be their first work to air on TV.
Peter Pan Goes Wrong, currently being performed at London's Apollo Theatre, tells the story of an ameteur dramatics society whose Christmas play (a version of Peter Pan) does not go to plan. Though this television adaptation will probably be heavily abridged to fit a one-hour time slot, it will also feature many of the play's most memorable moments as the cast argue and the special effects malfunction. The chaos will be highlighted by narration from Poirot star David Suchet. This looks like it will be great fun for those seeking to end the year by watching an amusing comedy.
Films
Hercules (2014)
When's It On? - Sunday 18th December at 9PM (Channel 5)
The myths about the Greek demigod Hercules have always been popular due to his sheer strength and power. Most films about him have taken his heroism for granted, but this 2014 movie, based on the graphic novel Hercules: The Thracian Wars, provides a revisionist interpretation. In it, Hercules is portrayed as a mercenary who has exaggerated the stories of his "Twelve Labours" in order to improve his reputation. However, it doesn't take long before he has to demonstrate that he's worthy of his heroic status. Dwayne Johnson is the ideal choice to play Hercules, and he is joined by a fine supporting cast, including John Hurt and Ian McShane. This take on Hercules is aimed primarily at teenagers and older males, but it's great fun for anyone who's into the sword and sandal genre.
Puss In Boots (2011)
When's It On? - Wednesday 21st December at 1;45PM (BBC1)
One of the best characters in the Shrek franchise was Puss in Boots, a Zorro-inspired take on the fairy tale feline. In this spin-off, we get a story from Puss in Boots' past, as he teams up with his old friend Humpty Dumpty in order to steal the Golden Goose. Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek and Zach Galifianakis lead the voice cast for a tale which provides a comedic spin on swashbuckling adventure stories, but does not rely on pop culture references as much as the four Shrek films which preceded it.
Saving Mr. Banks (2013)
When's It On? - Friday 23rd December at 8:30PM (BBC2)
Mary Poppins is one of Disney's best-loved movies, and it's become so iconic that there is even a film about how it was made. Saving Mr. Banks tells the story of how Walt Disney persuaded P.L. Travers, author of the Mary Poppins books, to hand over the rights to her property. Walt Disney is played by Hollywood icon Tom Hanks, with Emma Thompson as Travers. Although the movie sanitizes a lot of aspects of this real-life story (such as Travers' opposition to the finished product) it is still an interesting look at the work which goes into making a children's classic.
Hans Christian Andersen (1952)
When's It On? - Christmas Eve at 8:10AM (BBC2)
Hans Christian Andersen is not a conventional biopic about the legendary fairy tale author, but instead, it is "a fairy tale about the great spinner of fairy tales". Though purists may be annoyed by the lack of historical accuracy, the great Danny Kaye plays Andersen, and the movie contains a number of songs, including "Wonderful Copenhagen", "Inchworm" and "The Ugly Duckling", which still hold up today. It is certainly worth getting up early in the morning to see this.
Jason & The Argonauts (1963)
When's It On? - Christmas Eve at 3:10PM (Channel 5)
Jason & The Argonauts is based on the Greek myths about Jason, who found the magical Golden Fleece. It tells the story of Jason's quest, as he is assisted by figures such as Hercules and Hera. This film is famed for its special effects, created by Ray Harryhausen, as Jason battles an army of skeletons, a Hydra, and a 100-foot tall giant. The 50's and 60's saw a number of sword-and-sandal films, many of which based on Greek mythology, and Jason & The Argonauts is one of the best movies in that genre.
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
When's It On? - Christmas Day at 2:10PM (Channel 5)
L. Frank Baum wrote The Wizard of Oz in 1900 in order to provide an American equivalent to classic European fairy tales, and the iconic status of the 1939 adaptation of this book highlights just how successful his endeavour was. The Wizard of Oz airs every in Britain every Christmas, and also appears on TV during the Bank Holidays, but it still feels fresh. It's hard to believe that the film is almost 80 years old, but songs such as "Somewhere over the Rainbow" are classics and characters such as Dorothy and the Tin Man remain appealing even today. The film is also notable for being one of the first to use technicolour, and the transition from the black-and-white world of Kansas to the colourful land of Oz is still a wonderful moment.
Frozen (2013) and The Lion King (1994)
When's It On? - Christmas Day at 3:10PM (BBC1 and ITV)
Christmas is an excellent time to watch a Disney film, as families want familiar entertainment which they can enjoy together. BBC1 and ITV aim to exploit this with a "Disney Duel" on Christmas Day, as Disney's two biggest animated films will be aired opposite each other.
BBC1 is airing Frozen, which is appearing on terrestrial TV for the first time. By now, the adventures of Anna and Elsa need no further introduction, but children (and even many parents) will gladly seize an opportunity to see Elsa sing "Let It Go" once more. Meanwhile, ITV is airing The Lion King, another film whose songs and characters are also incredibly familiar. Both films are worth revisiting time and again, so it will be incredibly hard to choose which one to see on Christmas Day.
Brave (2012) and Sleeping Beauty (1957)
When's It On? - Boxing Day at 2:40PM (BBC1 and ITV)
The second "Disney Duel" between BBC1 and ITV involves two films which are not as iconic as Frozen or The Lion King, but are still fun to watch. Brave, from the Disney-owned animation studio Pixar, is set in the picturesque Scottish highlands, and tells the story of the impulsive Princess Merida and her relationship with her mother Elinor. Meanwhile, Sleeping Beauty provides an adaptation of the classic fairytale inspired by Tchaikovsky's ballet. It is most notable for its iconic villain Maleficent, the sort of wonderfully diabolical baddie which Disney don't provide anymore.
The Chronicles of Narnia:The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (2005)
When's It On? - Boxing Day at 4:10PM (Channel 4)
C.S. Lewis' classic tale is notable for its blend of epic fantasy and Christian allegory, and this is mostly preserved in this adaptation, which tells the story of four children who discover a fantasy world hidden inside a wardrobe and have to protect it from the evil White Witch. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe has a strong cast headed by Tilda Swinton (who plays the White Witch) and Liam Neeson (who voices the Christ-like lion Aslan), and the appealing story and spectacular battles are enjoyable to watch. In addition, Father Christmas has a cameo, further cementing this movie's status as ideal seasonal fare.
Peter Pan (2003)
When's It On? - Thursday 29th December at 1:15PM (ITV)
There have been a number of adaptations of Peter Pan, and whilst the 1953 Disney version is the best-known, this 2003 adaptation from P.J Hogan is worth checking out. The movie stars Jeremy Sumpter as Peter Pan and Rachel Hurd-Wood as Wendy, with Jason Isaacs chewing the scenery as Captain Hook. This version of Peter Pan is darker than most adaptations, and deals with more mature themes (especially in its depiction of Peter and Wendy's relationship), but it's still suitable for the whole family, and has no shortage of enjoyable action sequences.
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