JIM HENSON'S "THE STORYTELLER": GREEK MYTHS: PERSEUS & THE GORGON (TV)
Summary
One in this series of folk tales and legends based on Greek myths -- presented as a follow-up to the earlier series "The Storyteller" -- featuring fantasy characters from Jim Henson's Creature Shop. In this episode, the Storyteller narrates the tale of Perseus and Medusa, the Gorgon whose frightening appearance and deadly stare turn men to stone. When King Acrisius of Argos hears a prophesy from the Oracle that his daughter, Danae, will bear a son who will one day kill him, he has her imprisoned to outwit the fates. But Zeus enters through her chamber window in a shower of gold and Danae conceives a son, Perseus. Acrisius discovers the child and gives orders to have Danae and Perseus sealed in a chest and thrown into the sea, but they wash up on the shore of a small island and are saved by Diktys, a kindly fisherman. Years later, the unscrupulous Polydektes, ruler of the island, wants Danae to become his wife. Polydektes tells Perseus that he will be allowed to attend the wedding only if he can bring a wedding gift. In response, Perseus vows to kill the Gorgon Medusa and return with her head; he declares that if he is successful, the wedding will not take place. The goddess Athena and the god Hermes aid Perseus by supplying him with a magical sword and shield, and warn him not to lay eyes on the Gorgon. Wearing winged sandals and a cap that renders him invisible, he slays Medusa and returns with her head in time to prevent the unsavory Polydektes from marrying his mother. As the story concludes, King Acrisius' attempt to change destiny proves fruitless when a chance encounter with Perseus leads to tragedy.
Details
- NETWORK: Channel 4 (United Kingdom)
- DATE: December 8, 1990 Saturday
- RUNNING TIME: 0:23:45
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:24088
- GENRE: Children's programs; Drama, fantasy/science fiction
- SUBJECT HEADING: Children's programs; Drama, fantasy/science fiction; International Collection - United Kingdom; Mythology; Puppets
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1990-1991
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Jim Henson … Executive Producer
- Duncan Kenworthy … Producer
- David Garfath … Director
- Anthony Minghella … Created by
- Nigel Williams … Writer, Screenplay by
- J. Nigel Pickard … Production (Misc.), Executive in Charge of Production
- John Stephenson … Production Design, Creative Supervisor, For The Creature Shop
- Nigel Booth … Production Design, Special Creature Design, For The Creature Shop
- Neal Scanlan … Production Design, Special Creature Design, For The Creature Shop
- John Beard … Production Design
- Rachel Portman … Music by
- Michael Gambon … Cast, the Storyteller
- Brian Henson … Cast, the Dog
- Frances Barber … Cast, Medusa
- Jeremy Gilley … Cast, Perseus
- Kate Buffery … Cast, Danae
- John McEnery … Cast, Polydektes
- Arthur Dignam … Cast, Acrisius
- Barbara Barnes … Cast, the Gracae
- Justine Glenton … Cast, the Gracae
- Tacy Kneale … Cast, the Gracae
- Tony Vogel … Cast, Diktys
- Dearbhla Molloy … Cast, the Oracle
- Pat Roach … Cast, Atlas
- Deborah Vale … Cast, the Gorgon
- Tessa Vale … Cast, the Gorgon
- Oscar Webb … Cast, Young Perseus
- Hannah Cresswell … Cast, Young Danae
- Sandra Voe … Cast, Artistes, Voice
- Trevor Martin … Cast, Artistes, Voice