Taglines: Desire. Defy. Escape.
Ever After: A Cinderella Story movie storyline. In the 19th century, a Grande Dame (Jeanne Moreau) summons The Brothers Grimm (Joerg Stadler and Andy Henderson) to her palace, where the brothers discuss their interpretation of the Cinderella story and notice a painting displayed in the room. The Grande Dame shows the brothers a glass slipper and tells them the story of Danielle de Barbarac.
In 16th-century France, Auguste de Barbarac (Jeroen Krabbé) is a widower and the father of eight-year-old Danielle (Anna Maguire). Auguste marries Rodmilla de Ghent (Anjelica Huston), a wealthy baroness with two daughters, Marguerite and Jacqueline (Elizabeth Earl and Alex Pooley). Later that evening, Auguste gives Danielle a copy of Thomas More’s Utopia.
Before dying of a heart attack just as Auguste leaves for business, his last words are directed to Danielle, which causes Rodmilla to envy Danielle and mistreat her for the next ten years. By the time Danielle (Drew Barrymore) is eighteen, the estate has fallen into decline.
The Baroness is not interested in farming, has sold off many of the estate’s servants to pay her taxes and wishes to get back to the Royal Court. Meanwhile, Danielle serves her stepsisters, Marguerite (Megan Dodds), and Jacqueline (Melanie Lynskey) in her home. Marguerite is spoiled, cruel, bad tempered and Rodmilla’s favorite, while Jacqueline is kind but picked on by her mother and sister.
One morning Danielle sees a man stealing her father’s horse and unseats him with an apple until she recognizes he is Prince Henry (Dougray Scott). Henry buys her silence with gold because King Francis (Timothy West) and Queen Marie (Judy Parfitt) tell Henry that he must wed the Spanish princess, Gabriella. However, Henry’s escape is foiled when he encounters gypsies robbing Leonardo da Vinci (Patrick Godfrey).
Henry chases the thief and returns the Mona Lisa to da Vinci. Meanwhile, Danielle dresses as a noblewoman and leaves to buy back Maurice (Walter Sparrow), whom the Baroness has sold to pay her debts. Henry overhears Danielle argue with the Cargomaster (Al Ashton) and orders Maurice’s release. Henry begs for Danielle’s name but she lies and gives Henry the name of her mother, who died giving birth to Danielle. That night King Francis tells Henry that he is throwing a masquerade ball in honor of Da Vinci. At The ball Henry must choose a bride or wed Gabriella.
While spending time with her friend, Gustave (Lee Ingleby), Henry rides up and asks for directions and Gustave ends up telling Henry where Danielle lives. After coming out of hiding, Danielle runs to her house, quickly changes, and spends the day with Henry where they are ambushed by gypsies. Danielle resolves the issue and they share their first kiss.
The next morning, Danielle catches Rodmilla and Marguerite stealing her mother’s dress and slippers for Marguerite to wear to the ball. After Marguerite insults Danielle about her mother’s death, Danielle punches Marguerite in the face and chases her until Marguerite threatens to throw Utopia into the fireplace. Danielle returns her mother’s slippers to Rodmilla in exchange for the book, but Marguerite burns it in the fire anyway out of spite. After Danielle is whipped, Jacqueline tends to her wounds and condemns Marguerite for insulting Danielle’s mother.
Ever After (known in promotional material as Ever After: A Cinderella Story) is a 1998 American romantic drama film inspired by the fairy tale Cinderella. It is directed by Andy Tennant and stars Drew Barrymore, Anjelica Huston, and Dougray Scott. The screenplay is written by Tennant, Susannah Grant, and Rick Parks. The original music score is composed by George Fenton. The film’s closing theme song “Put Your Arms Around Me” is performed by the rock band Texas.
Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998)
Directed by: Andy Tennant
Starring: Drew Barrymore, Anjelica Huston, Dougray Scott, Patrick Godfrey, Megan Dodds, Melanie Lynskey, Timothy West, Judy Parfitt, Jeanne Moreau, Anna Maguire
Screenplay by: Susannah Grant, Andy Tennant, Rick Parks
Production Design by: Michael Howells
Cinematography by: Andrew Dunn
Film Editing by: Roger Bondelli
Costume Design by: Jenny Beavan
Set Decoration by: Judy Farr
Art Direction by: David Allday, Stephen Dobric, Martyn John, Damien Lanfranchi
Music by: Roger Bondelli
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for momentary strong language.
Distributed by: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: July 29, 1998
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