Once Upon A Time

Once Upon A Time

Synopsis

Though, sadly, not all of this charming fable survives, the Danish Film Institute's restoration, making clever use of stills and titles to fill gaps in the narrative, lets us enjoy Dreyer's expertise in composition, lighting and visual textures. It begins as light-hearted fairy-tale, with the Princess of Illyria (complete with superbly OTT coiffure) endlessly rejecting suitors, but becomes more naturalistic – and still lovelier to look at – when the Prince of Denmark, posing as a beggar, educates her in the ways of rural living.