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Jim Henson’s The StoryTeller: The True Bride 1988

Jim Henson’s beloved television series The StoryTeller (1987-1989) is an anthology European fairy tales, many of which were first published by the Brothers Grimm. Bringing together a human cast, including acclaimed British actor John Hurt as the eponymous storyteller, with enchanting puppets developed by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, these tales are rich with wonder, mystery and delight.

This episode, The True Bride, is adapted from a German folktale by acclaimed screenwriter Anthony Minghella. Orphan girl Anja (Jane Horrocks) languishes under the control of a cruel troll but finds her true destiny thanks to a helpful lion.

24 minutes | G | Very mild in impact

Monster Maker 1989

Movie-loving teen Matt (Kieran O’Brien), who dreams of building special effects creatures, is thrilled to be apprenticed by his Hollywood hero Chancey Bellow (Harry Dean Stanton). Things take a strange turn when Bellow’s animatronic masterpiece, the Ultra-Gorgon (voiced by British screen legend Michael Gambon), seemingly takes on a life of its own. Adapted from the novel by Nicholas Fisk, Henson modelled Bellow’s on-screen workshop on his own London Creature Shop.

45 minutes | PG | Adult themes