Similar to “Rapunzel,” this episode of Shelley Duvall’s charming PBS family classic benefits tremendously from a series of great performances. Christopher Reeve seems to relish an opportunity to riff on his handsome persona, but this is all about Beverly D’Angelo as the wicked fairy Henbane: Her costumes and makeup are imaginative, and D’Angelo looks like she’s having the time of her life playing the villain, tearing into the role just as Gena Rowlands did hers in the aforementioned “Rapunzel.” On the whole, the episode sometimes feels a little long and has a series of unnecessary digressions, but the charmingly dated climax highlights just how fun these “Faerie Tale Theatre” episodes can be.
Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)
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