Jim Henson's The Storyteller - The Complete Collection [DVD]

Bought this as first one has wear and tear and me and my kids love it. It's not cheap for an old dvd but the content is cool.

it's good to see some of Jim Henson's other creations and not just The Muppets

I remember watching these growing up. It used to be a family tradition to curl up in front of the fire and watch these together. We even had the book of stories to read when we went to bed. For me, this hasn't aged at all; Jim Henson puppetry really is the best. Add to this some classic yet little known folk stories and the wonderful narration of the Storyteller himself, John Hurt, and you have a classic good for any home.I bought a DVD release of this back in the 2000's but it only contained a handful of episodes, I couldn't afford the 2nd DVD at the time so I'm glad to finally have all episodes in one place. Now, to light the fire, sit back and relive those memories.

If you know the Storyteller series it's probably the famous nine programmes made with John Hurt as the tale-teller. There is no way to adequately describe the brilliance of the films and special effects .... save to say these are definitely NOT bedevilled with CGI but are based upon the superb Henson creature workshop and advanced puppetry and animatronics.The second DVD of Greek myths featuring Michael Gambon (and the shaggy dog) is no less excellent - but there are only 4 stories and absolutely no extras. Surely there was room for some behind-the-scenes films about the Creature Workshop? This is a totally cheapskate and unforgivable oversight - hence the loss of a star.But all 13 films are beyond criticism and if you are reading this review because you half-remember the original series on TV and wondered if they were as good as you remember them to be .... THEY ARE.No child should grow up without seeing these.No adult should pass over the chance to remember what it was like to be a child.

My children (and myself!) have very fond memories of the story teller series - I still have some very worn VHS copies somewhere, but no player! This was the cheapest copy I could find - most of the English releases seem to sell for 3-4 times this price (delivery was as fast as from some UK suppliers). Just make sure your player can play the American region releases.The stories are just as magical as I remember them. The picture is not as clear as I would have hoped for, but that maybe because I'm now too used to HD on a large screen - reduce the screen size and it seems fine, possibly this is a side effect of the US region format, I wouldn't know.I'm saving my copy to surprise the family at Christmas - though I've already watched them through; couldn't wait!!

Though the Storyteller series is now out in the UK over two disks, I wouldhighly recommend purchasing this American, all-inclusive release. It isan absolute treasure.The mix of Germanic, Celtic and Russian tale bring you right back. Notonly to childhood if you watched this series then, but into theimagination and the hint of a forgotten heritage. Stories were made fordark days, rainy days and the communal nighttime, whilst sunny days werefor work and activity. Having such an imaginative restbite is still soimportant to us, and being able to watch such a well-made series such asthis goes a long way to reminding me at least, that such dark, damp daysof a holiday when I might otherwise be incapacitated, has its place.These are dark stories, but touched with such light and warmth, and alsotruth, that you cannot help but be entranced. A real landmark oftelevision, and something that works beautifully well over a DvDformat.Highly Recommended.

Watching this as I type. My 5 year old son has been absolutely fascinated by this series. Watched it as a child (now 38) and have loved watching it again.It might be slightly scary for younger children but older children will love it. Cartoons and other similar programmes these days simply don't compare.Like the Story Teller series of stories on cassette this is something to be treasured forever.

not so good very short story

I came across this Jim Henson production via Prime video and never saw this as a child. It is amazing and a must have to your collection. I was able to get this collection which also contains the Greek tales and couldn’t be happier. Love having this to my movie/tv library! Get it before you can’t see it on streaming.

some of the best filmed fairy tales of all time.$35 amazon prime thank u,thank u.i will cherish this 4-ever.you get 9 German folk tales,maybe 1 is Celtic.i wish Jim did not pass as he was going to make many more of these from all sorts of tales from all over the world.there is a Greek myths set with only 4 episodes which too are amazing if u want to drop at least $50-100 and up ,up,up.if u see them under $50 grab right away.it truly is amazing.

very good a children's classic

Los clásicos episodios del cuentacuentos que vimos cuando éramos pequeños... Adaptaciones de cuentos alemanes, rusos, con el toque de Jim Henson. El soldado y la muerte, la verdadera novia... Te transportan a la infancia de los años 80. Solo una pega... No tiene subtitulosni audio en español.. Hay que verlo en ingles.

Diese Märchenverfilmungen sind immer noch so zauberhaft, wie ich sie aus meiner Kindheit in Erinnerung behalten habe. Jim Henson und seine Mitarbeiter haben mit dieser Mini-Serie Maßstäbe im Märchenfilm gesetzt, die heute kaum einer noch erreicht. Die Dramaturgie ist fabelhaft, die Dialoge sind klug geschrieben, stellenweise geradezu literarisch, die visuelle Inszenierung ist trotz fehlender Computertechnik ein Augenschmaus. Henson hatte einen Blick für die Archetypen, die unser Unbewusstes bevölkern, und er hatte die Mittel, sie sichtbar zu machen. Dabei ist es ein genialer Zug, dass er die teilweise abgründigen Stoffe nicht also solche präsentiert, sondern als Erzählunggegenstände des stets ironischen Geschichtenerzählers (wunderbar gespielt von John Hurt), der, gemeinsam mit seinem sprechenden Hund, die Gewissheit ausstrahlt, dass, egal, was da kommen mag, alles wieder gut wird. So kann Henson den zuschauenden Kindern so manches zumuten, was anders sicherlich nicht so ohne Weiteres für Kinder geeignet wäre.Schade nur, dass dieses Kleinod es auf DVD niemals zu einer besseren Bildqualität oder gar einer BlueRay-Veröffentlichung gebracht hat. Denn die Bildqualität - das muss man schon sagen - ist mittlere VHS-Qualität, also im Grunde genommen unterirdisch. Es bleibt zu hoffen, dass der Storyteller irgendwann einmal in neuem Glanz erstrahlt. Ich würde zu den allerersten Käufern gehören.