1) Product Description
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Ent Release Date: 05/23/2006

2) Amazon.com
One of Jim Henson's finest works is The Storyteller series, originally airing on HBO in 1987. As with his other non-Muppet creations (Labyrinth, and The Dark Crystal), Henson fills the screen with wonderful creatures that have a wisp of a J.R.R. Tolkien fantasy. This definitive collection of 13 stories--9 based on European fables, and 4 slightly grittier takes on Greek myths--deserves to be in TV's pantheon. The series was adapted by Anthony Minghella, who became an Oscar-winning filmmaker a decade later with The English Patient. Minghella weaves the narration of a storyteller with dialogue from the stories to beguiling effect; the storyteller doesn't simply introduce the tales. The storytelling duties are split with an engaging John Hurt, and a study Michael Gambon for the Greek fables. Both are accompanied by a Muppet dog performed by Henson's son and successor, Brian. The European tales are wonderful especially since the stories are not well known. "The Luck Child" is a brilliant short about a king bent on destroying a commoner boy, known as the luck child ("the seventh son born of a seventh son on a week with two Fridays"), after a wizard declares the boy will grow up to be king. The fate of the king is one of those hooks that should have the kids smiling for days. "Sapsorrow" is a curious variation on the Cinderella legend. Henson himself directs "Death and the Soldier," a vivid example of how these episodes were so wonderfully complex. A penniless solider (Bob Peck) is given a magical sack and he uses it to full effect, capturing gremlins and greater evils on his way to be king. "A Story Short" is the storyteller's own adventure. He makes a deal with a king to tell a story every day of the year. Yet on the last day, the storyteller's mind is a blank and his fate may lead him to a boiling vat of oil. By nature, the Greek myth episodes are a bit more mature (ages 8 and older) and downbeat, yet give the audience lasting impressions of oft-quoted tales. In "Perseus and the Gorgon," King Argos locks away his wife when it is foretold his future son will kill him. Soon mother and son (Perseus, fathered by none other than Zeus) are washed ashore and another angry king looks to take away Perseus's mother. How can Perseus win the day? By killing the evil Gorgon whose snake-covered head includes eyes that turn humans into statues. Derek Jacobi stars as the deft Greek designer in "Daedalus and Icarus." The father goes through many hardships, including the famous episode of his son flying too close to the sun. John Madden (Shakespeare in Love) directs the tale of "Theseus and the Minotaur." A young man reunites with his father, King Aegeus, but is cursed by his witch of a stepmother (literally). When Theseus tries to stop the regular sacrifice to the half-bull, half-man Minotaur, a new curse awaits the young prince. The magical musician Orpheus (Art Malik) finds his muse in "Orpheus and Eurydice." Unfortunately, she soon dies and goes to Hades where Orpheus follows, attempting to win her soul from the devil himself. Henson's work is true family entertainment and at only 22 minutes per episode, it's the perfect companion for some fine entertainment around the TV. --Doug Thomas

1) Greatest Story Teller Ever   [Rating: 5 out of 5]
Jim Henson was BRILLIANT I'll always miss him.I have no children, but I was grounded in the classics as a child, part of which was Mythology from different cultures and the Classic Tales meant to convey a lesson couched within in an entertaining story.Henson Studios did all that, and made it GORGEOUS Besides! John Hurt has the voice and sense of humor to delight even the most critical audience, and Henson Studio supplied the perfect costumes, back drops and dear oh dear.. the MONSTERS! LOLI purchased these for my personal library... for these are (as I said) The CLASSICS!

2) A magical tool for teachers   [Rating: 5 out of 5]
Teachers of Greek mythology or fairytales/folktales--these short films are an invaluable tool in the classroom. I teach sixth grade, and every year we do a unit on Greek mythology and fairy/folktales. Browsing through Amazon one day, looking for something to add to my lessons, I came across these productions and bought them without having ever seen them--the Jim Henson name was enough for me. I watched them and immediately knew these were going to be an integral part of my lessons. They are fantastic for teaching a variety of skills: sequence of events, compare/contrast (Cinderella and Sapsorrow, The Three Ravens and The Three Swans), problem and solution--the list goes on. I know that many reviewers have found the Greek myths to be less entertaining, but I heartily disagree. The sight of Atlas bearing the weight of the heavens, Hades' chilling figure and voice in the underworld--my students were enthralled. I highly recommend these amazing films!

3) Storyteller; Timeless   [Rating: 4 out of 5]
The stories are timeless and thoroughly enjoyable. The only let down is the audio/visual quality looks worse than my memory of the VHS versions?

4) A Triumph from Henson.   [Rating: 4 out of 5]
Amazing puppetry, fantastic stories, and stellar acting/story telling by John Hurt make this a wonderful viewing for all ages. Productions of this grandeur are inspiring, and speak to a very diverse audience. "The Storyteller" recalls Aesop, Homer, the Brothers Grimm, and Hans Christian Andersen while also informing the likes of J.K. Rowling and Neil Gaiman.

5) Consider the Greek Tales "a bonus"...   [Rating: 5 out of 5]
To put it plainly (without showing off my excess muppety knowledge), the nine tales of The Storyteller (with John Hurt) are one of the best media creations of the late 20th century. Jim Henson, taking a detour from the charmingly corny muppet empire, brought these classic tales to life with not just Creature Shop flair, but narrative and atmospheric flair as well. Some of these are very existential, "The Soldier and Death" being particularly complex, but that's part of what makes them so fetching. This was Jim Henson's swan song, but he saved the best for last (not to mention John Hurt's brilliance). The "Greek Tales" DVD came after Jim Henson passed on, and they have a bit of interest, but suffer from some awkward acting and reduced set design, and really do not have the same magic at all. Still, when taken as a bonus feature of sorts, it makes this a double-plus-must purchase.