Inkheart (film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Inkheart |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Iain Softley |
| Produced by |
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| Screenplay by | David Lindsay-Abaire |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Javier Navarrete |
| Cinematography | Roger Pratt |
| Editing by | Martin Walsh |
| Studio |
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| Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures (International) Entertainment Film Distributors (United Kingdom) Eagle Pictures (Italy) |
| Release date(s) | December 11, 2008 (Germany) December 12, 2008 (United Kingdom) January 23, 2009 (United States) |
| Running time | 106 minutes |
| Country |
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| Language | English |
| Budget | $60 million |
| Money made | $62,450,361 |
Inkheart is a 2008 fantasy adventure film that takes you on a magical journey. It was directed by Iain Softley. The movie is based on the popular 2003 novel of the same name by Cornelia Funke.
The story is about a special man named Mo, who can bring characters from books to life just by reading aloud. But this gift also has a downside. When a character comes out of a book, someone from the real world goes into it. This leads to exciting adventures and dangerous challenges.
The film stars Brendan Fraser, Paul Bettany, Helen Mirren, Jim Broadbent, Andy Serkis, and Eliza Bennett. It was released in the UK on December 12, 2008, and in the US on January 23, 2009.
Contents
Story of Inkheart: A Magical Adventure
The movie begins with Mortimer "Mo" Folchart (Brendan Fraser) and his wife Resa (Sienna Guillory). They are reading "Little Red Riding Hood" to their baby daughter, Meggie. Suddenly, a red velvet hood appears out of nowhere. This is the first sign of Mo's special power.
Mo's Secret and a Dangerous Book
Twelve years later, Meggie (Eliza Bennett) and Mo are in an old book shop in Europe. Mo is secretly searching for a rare book called Inkheart. He finds it, but then a strange man named Dustfinger (Paul Bettany) appears. Dustfinger is a fire dancer and an old friend of Mo's. He asks Mo to "read him back into the book." Mo quickly leaves with Meggie, knowing Dustfinger is from Inkheart.
Mo takes Meggie to his great-aunt Elinor's (Helen Mirren) house in Italy. There, he tells Meggie his secret. Nine years ago, while reading Inkheart to her, he accidentally brought Dustfinger, the villain Capricorn (Andy Serkis), and Capricorn's henchman Basta (Jamie Foreman) into the real world. Sadly, his wife Resa was sent into the book in their place.
Captured by Capricorn
Dustfinger soon arrives with Basta, and they capture Mo, Meggie, and Elinor. They destroy Elinor's amazing library and take the Inkheart book. The group is taken to Capricorn's new castle, which is now in the real world.
While imprisoned, Mo explains his gift more clearly. He tells them that when he reads someone or something out of a book, someone from the real world goes into it. Capricorn forces Mo to use his gift to bring treasure from The Arabian Nights into the real world. He also brings out Farid (Rafi Gavron), one of the 40 Thieves. Dustfinger, who was promised to be read back into the book, is betrayed by Capricorn.
Escape and a New Plan
Despite the danger, the group manages to escape. They use a tornado that Mo accidentally reads out of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Elinor decides to stay behind to try and save her damaged library.
Meggie suggests they go to Alassio, the town where the author of Inkheart, Fenoglio (Jim Broadbent), lives. They hope he might have another copy of the book. Dustfinger, though scared of what he might learn about his own story, joins them.
Meeting the Author and a Shocking Truth
When they meet Fenoglio, he is thrilled to see his characters alive. However, Dustfinger learns a terrible truth: he dies at the end of the book trying to save his marten, Gwin. Angry and upset, Dustfinger tells Mo that Resa is trapped in Capricorn's castle and has lost her voice.
Mo and Dustfinger take Fenoglio's car, and Farid secretly hides in the trunk. At Fenoglio's house, Meggie starts reading aloud. She accidentally brings Toto from The Wizard of Oz into the real world. Suddenly, Basta and his men burst in and take the group back to Capricorn's castle. Elinor, realizing something is wrong, follows them.
The Final Confrontation
At the castle, Capricorn orders Meggie to bring out the Shadow, a terrifying monster from Inkheart. He threatens to hurt her mother if she doesn't obey. Mo sneaks into the castle to help. Dustfinger is captured but escapes when Meggie tells him about Capricorn's evil plan.
Mo tries to free Meggie and the others as Capricorn forces Meggie to bring the Shadow. Dustfinger returns with Farid and sets the castle on fire to create a distraction. This allows Fenoglio to give Meggie a rewritten ending he created. Elinor arrives with other creatures Capricorn had imprisoned.
Meggie bravely writes the new story on her arm. As she reads her creation aloud, Capricorn turns to ashes as the Shadow devours him. His henchmen disappear, and the Shadow explodes. All the creatures that were read out are sent back to their own stories, including Toto. Meggie also grants Fenoglio's wish to live in the world he created. Most importantly, she reunites Mo with her mother and restores Resa's voice.
Dustfinger is also safely read back into Inkheart, where he finds his wife Roxanne. In the real world, Farid reveals he kept Gwin, Dustfinger's marten, with him. This means Dustfinger can avoid his sad fate and control his own destiny. As Mo and his family leave with Farid, Meggie agrees to teach Farid how to read. Farid, in turn, agrees to teach Meggie how to use the "dragon breath," a fire-breathing ability he learned from Dustfinger.
Meet the Cast
Here are some of the main actors and the characters they played in Inkheart:
- Brendan Fraser as Mo 'Silvertongue' Folchart
- Eliza Bennett as Meggie Folchart
- Paul Bettany as Dustfinger
- Helen Mirren as Elinor Loredan
- Andy Serkis as Capricorn
- Jim Broadbent as Fenoglio
- Rafi Gavron as Farid
- Sienna Guillory as Teresa "Resa" Folchart
- Lesley Sharp as Mortola
- Jamie Foreman as Basta
- Matt King as Cockerell
- John Thomson as Darius
- Jennifer Connelly as Roxane
- Marnix Van Den Broeke as The Shadow
- Steve Speirs as Flatnose
- Jessie Cave as Nymph
- Adam Bond as Prince Charming
- Tereza Srbova as Rapunzel
- Emily Eby as Guinevere
- Roger Allam as Narrator
- Paul Kasey as Minotaur
- Stephen Graham as Fulvio
Inkheart in Other Media
Video Games
A video game based on the Inkheart film was released for the Nintendo DS on January 12, 2009. Video games based on movies often let you play through the story. This game received mixed reviews from critics.
See also
In Spanish: Corazón de tinta (película) para niños
