Ella Enchanted (film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ella Enchanted |
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Canadian Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Tommy O'Haver |
| Produced by |
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| Screenplay by |
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| Starring | |
| Music by | Nick Glennie-Smith |
| Cinematography | John de Borman |
| Editing by | Masahiro Hirakubo |
| Distributed by | Miramax Films (United States) Buena Vista International (UK/Ireland) |
| Release date(s) | April 9, 2004 (US) December 17, 2004 (UK/Ireland) |
| Running time | 96 minutes |
| Country |
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| Language | English Irish |
| Budget | $31 million |
| Money made | $27.4 million |
Ella Enchanted is a fun fantasy romantic comedy movie from 2004. It was directed by Tommy O'Haver. The story is based on a popular 1997 book called Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine.
The film stars Anne Hathaway as Ella and Hugh Dancy as Prince Char. It takes a classic fairy tale idea and adds a new, funny twist. This movie was made by companies from the United States, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
Contents
Story of Ella Enchanted
In the magical land of Lamia, a baby girl named Ella of Frell gets a strange "gift" from a fairy godmother named Lucinda. This gift makes Ella obey every single command she hears, no matter what. It's more like a curse! Ella's mother warns her to keep this secret, so no one can use it against her.
After her mother passes away, Ella's father marries a rich woman named Dame Olga. Olga and her daughters, Hattie and Olive, are very mean to Ella. When Hattie and Olive find out about Ella's obedience gift, they use it to make her do silly and embarrassing things.
One day, Ella meets Prince "Char" Charmont, who is very popular. He invites her to his big coronation ball. But Dame Olga hides the invitation. Hattie and Olive then force Ella to stop being friends with her best friend, Areida.
Ella decides she must find Lucinda, the fairy who gave her the gift, to get rid of it. Mandy, a fairy who works for Ella's family, helps her. Mandy lends Ella her boyfriend, Benny, who was accidentally turned into a magic book! Ella learns that Lucinda is at a wedding in Giantville, so she sets off on her journey.
Ella's Journey and New Friends
On her way, Ella meets Slannen, an elf who dreams of being a lawyer, not an entertainer. They are captured by ogres, but Prince Char rescues them. Char joins their adventure because he wants to find out who killed his father. Ella helps Char see that the laws in their kingdom are unfair to elves and giants.
They find out Lucinda has already left Giantville. Char suggests they check the castle's records to find her. This plan is overheard by Heston, a talking snake who works for Char's uncle, Sir Edgar. Ella and Char start to fall in love after Ella sings a song at the wedding.
Back at the castle, Edgar learns about Ella's obedience gift from her stepsisters. Edgar, who wants to be king, plans something terrible. He orders Ella to kill Char at midnight during the coronation ball, when Char is sure to propose to her. He also tells her to keep this plan a secret. Edgar then reveals that he was the one who killed Char's father. If Char dies, Edgar will become king.
Ella is horrified. She writes Char a letter, saying she must leave but cannot explain why. She asks Slannen to chain her to a tree, hoping to avoid Edgar's command. Slannen gathers other elves and giants to protect Char.
The Coronation Ball and Freedom
As night falls, Lucinda appears. Ella begs her to take back the gift. Lucinda gets upset and tells Ella she must remove the gift herself. She unchains Ella and gives her a beautiful dress. Ella is forced to go back to the castle and ends up at the ball.
Char takes Ella to a secret hall of mirrors and proposes to her. As Ella is about to stab Char because of the command, she sees her reflection and a vision of her mother. At that moment, she bravely commands herself to no longer be obedient. This breaks the curse forever! Char sees the dagger, and Edgar has Ella arrested for trying to harm him.
Benny, the magic book, was left behind and later found by Slannen. Benny reveals that Ella is in the dungeon. Slannen, along with the elves, giants, and ogres, sneaks into the castle and frees Ella. Benny also shows them that Edgar has poisoned Char's crown, planning to kill him at the coronation.
The Truth Comes Out
As Char is about to be crowned, Ella and her friends burst into the ceremony. A big fight breaks out with Edgar's soldiers. During the chaos, Mandy turns Benny back into a human! Ella and Char fight off the guards together. Ella tells Char she loves him and reveals Edgar's evil plan and how he killed Char's father. Edgar tries to deny it.
Heston, the snake, tries to bite Char, but Ella kicks him away. Char's fan club accidentally steps on Heston, which makes Char believe Ella's story about his uncle. Edgar then tries to declare himself king, but he foolishly puts on the poisoned crown and collapses.
Soon after, Char and Ella get married. Ella's stepsisters are very jealous. Char announces a new time of fairness for everyone in the kingdom. It turns out Edgar is still alive, but he is very weak. The movie ends with everyone dancing to a fun song, and the newlyweds ride off on their honeymoon.
Characters
- Anne Hathaway as Ella of Frell: A kind girl who has a magical "gift" that makes her obey any command. She tries to break this curse.
- Aimee Brigg plays young Ella.
- Hugh Dancy as Prince "Char" Charmont: The son of the late king and next in line for the throne. He is very popular, but he cares about justice.
- Cary Elwes as Sir Edgar: Prince Char's evil uncle. He is the acting ruler and wants to become king himself.
- Steve Coogan as Heston: Edgar's talking pet snake and his sneaky helper.
- Eric Idle as the Narrator: The voice who tells the story.
- Aidan McArdle as Slannen: An elf who wants to be a lawyer instead of an entertainer.
- Jimi Mistry as Benny: Mandy's boyfriend, who was accidentally turned into a magic book.
- Minnie Driver as Mandy: A household fairy who helps Ella.
- Vivica A. Fox as Lucinda Perriweather: The fairy who gave Ella the obedience gift. She means well but often causes trouble.
- Lucy Punch as Hattie: One of Ella's mean stepsisters who is obsessed with Prince Charmont.
- Jennifer Higham as Olive: Ella's other stepsister, who is not very smart and follows Hattie.
- Jim Carter as Nish: The leader of a group of ogres.
- Parminder Nagra as Areida: Ella's best friend from childhood.
- Ankita Malkan plays young Areida.
- Patrick Bergin as Sir Peter: Ella's father.
- Donna Dent as Lady Eleanor: Ella's mother.
- Joanna Lumley as Dame Olga: Ella's cruel stepmother.
- Alvaro Lucchesi as Koopooduk: A giant.
- Heidi Klum as Brumhilda: A giantess and Slannen's love interest.
Music from the Movie
The movie's soundtrack was released on April 6, 2004. It includes fun songs like Kelly Clarkson's version of "Respect" by Aretha Franklin. You can also hear Anne Hathaway and Jesse McCartney singing "Somebody to Love" by Queen and "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" by Elton John and Kiki Dee.
See also
In Spanish: Ella Enchanted para niños
