Taglines: She was everything they dreamed of… And nothing they expected.
Princess Caraboo movie storyline. Bristol, England, early 19th century. A beautiful young stranger who speaks a weird language is tried for the crime of begging. But when a man claims that he can translate her dialect, it is understood that the woman is a princess from a far away land. She is then welcomed by a family of haughty aristocrats that only wants to heighten their prestige. However, the local reporter is not at all convinced she is what she claims to be and investigates. Is Caraboo really a princess?
Princess Caraboo is a 1994 American historical comedy-drama film co-written (with John Wells) and directed by Michael Austin, based on the real-life 19th-century character Princess Caraboo, who passed herself off in British society as an exotic princess who spoke a strange foreign language; she is portrayed by Phoebe Cates.
About the Story
In Regency England, an exotically dressed woman is found in the fields, speaking a language no one can understand. She ends up at the home of the Worrall family, the local gentry. Their Greek butler, Frixos thinks the woman is a fraud from the start. Mr. Worrall sends her to the magistrate to be tried for vagrancy, but Mrs. Worrall agrees to care for her. Mr. Gutch, a local printer and newspaper reporter, takes an interest in the case especially after the woman claims via mime to be Princess Caraboo.
Gutch talks to the farm workers who found her and learns she had a book from the Magdalene Hospital in London on her. When the Worralls leave on a trip the servants inspect her for a tattoo, which they believe all natives of the South Seas have and are shocked to find Princess Caraboo has one on her thigh. Frixos tells Gutch he now thinks she’s a genuine princess. Mr. Worrall uses her presence to recruit investors for the spice trade which will be facilitated by Princess Caraboo when she returns to her native land. Gutch brings in Professor Wilkinson, a linguist who is initially dismissive of Caraboo’s story, but has enough doubt to refuse to say she is a fraud.
The local society finds Princess Caraboo fascinating and they flock to attend parties and soirees with her. Mr. Gutch begins investigating people connected with the Magdalene House. Lady Apthorpe takes Caraboo to a ball held for the Prince Regent, who is fascinated by Caraboo. Gutch learns Caraboo is actually Mary Baker, who worked as a servant for Mrs. Peake.
Gutch sneaks into the ball to warn her she’s been found out, but she refuses to acknowledge what he tells her. Mrs. Peake comes and confronts Caraboo and identifies her as Mary Baker. She is locked up. The local magistrate and Mr. Worrall want to hang her. Mrs. Worrall gives Mr. Gutch documents implicating her husband and the magistrate in a bank fraud.
Princess Caraboo (1994)
Directed by: Michael Austin
Starring: Phoebe Cates, Jim Broadbent, Wendy Hughes, Kevin Kline, John Lithgow, Stephen Rea, Peter Eyre, Jacqueline Pearce, John Lynch, Kate Ashfield
Screenplay by: Michael Austin, John Wells
Production Design by: Michael Howells
Cinematography by: Freddie Francis
Film Editing by: George Akers
Costume Design by: Tom Rand
Set Decoration by: Sasha Schwerid
Art Direction by: Sam Riley
Music by: Richard Hartley
MPAA Rating: PG for some mild sensuality and language.
Distributed by: TriStar Pictures
Release Date: September 16, 1994
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