Director: Kenneth Branagh
Writer: Chris Weitz
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Lily James, Helena Bonham Carter
Released: March 26, 2015
Rating: (G)
Runtime: 112 minutes
Websites:
Story: The story follows the fortunes of young Ella (Lily James) whose merchant father remarries following the death of her mother. Eager to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and her daughters Anastasia (Holliday Grainger) and Drisella (Sophie McShera) into the family home. But, when Ella's father unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself at the mercy of a jealous and cruel new family. Finally relegated to nothing more than a servant girl covered in ashes, and spitefully renamed Cinderella, Ella could easily begin to lose hope. Yet, despite the cruelty inflicted upon her, Ella is determined to honour her mother's dying words and to "have courage and be kind." She will not give in to despair nor despise those who mistreat her. And then there is the dashing stranger she meets in the woods. Unaware that he is really a prince, not merely an apprentice at the Palace, Ella finally feels she has met a kindred soul. It appears her fortunes may be about to change when the Palace sends out an open invitation for all maidens to attend a ball, raising Ella's hopes of once again encountering the charming Kit (Richard Madden). Alas, her stepmother forbids her to attend and callously rips apart her dress. But, as in all good fairy tales, help is at hand, and a kindly beggar woman (Helena Bonham Carter) steps forward and, armed with a pumpkin and a few mice, changes Cinderella's life forever.
Cast:
Cate Blanchett Stepmother
Lily James Cinderella
Richard Madden Prince
Helena Bonham Carter Fairy Godmother
Nonso Anozie Captain
Stellan Skarsgard Grand Duke
Sophie McShera Drisella
Holliday Grainger Anastasia
Derek Jacobi King
Ben Chaplin Ella's Father
Hayley Atwell Ella's Mother
Rob Brydon Master Phineus
Jana Perez Princess Chelina of Zaragosa
Alex Macqueen Royal Crier
Tom Edden Lizard Footman