"Ray Bradbury adapted his marvelous early 1960s fantasy novel for this 1983 Disney production, which turned out fairly dark and adult for the studio at that time. Two 12-year-old friends in the small town of Green Town, Illinois (Morrisville and Waterville, Vermont stood in for the film), are frightened and suspicious of a mysterious carnival that comes to town in October. They discover that it is collecting lonely and unhappy people and imprisoning them in new carnival identities, and soon the owner Mr. Dark (Pryce, excellent in his first major U.S. role) comes looking for the boys. Their only ally is the father of one of them (Robards, fine as always), who is hobbled by age, a weak heart, and guilt over an ancient incident where he failed his son. Fans of the novel will be disappointed by how much is changed or left out (the Dust Witch is young and beautiful -- and delectably played by Pam Grier -- not old and creaking, and she doesn't travel by balloon), the boy actors are not very good, and the climax is but so-so, but the pre-CGI special effects are decent, and many of the other visuals are lovely (especially the autumn woods, and the fabulous old library where the father works)."
David Loftus, Resident Scholar
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Overall Review
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Movie Actual chase scenes or violence - 20% Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzle - 40% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40%
**Fantasy or Science Fiction?**
- fantasy story on present day Earth
Horror film?
Yes
Kind of Horror Story
- chased by body snatchers/duplicates
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- student
Age:
- a kid
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
Hair color?
- blonde
Hair type
- (man) short/medium straight
Events of movie makes character more...
- tougher
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor?
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- average physique
Secondary Main Character
Identity:
- Male
How much in movie?
- 60%
Ethnicity/Nationality
- White (American)
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- long-lived adults
Profession/status:
- mage/magician
Has special powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main antagonist:
- can cast all sorts of spells
- can read emotions
Eccentric:
Yes
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- 40%
Hair color
- brunette (Black)
Hair style
- (man) short/standard straight
Body type
- skinny (man)
Sense of humor?
- Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physical condition
- average physique
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Setting
Earth setting:
- 20th Century (1900-1950)
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Small town?
Yes
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
Tone of movie
- fearful
Any profanity?
- None
Is this movie based on a
- book
