The original fairy tale by Charles Perrault has always struck me as particularly violent and merciless, and it’s interesting that Shelley Duvall’s “Faerie Tale Theatre” manages to adapt it for the show without sacrificing most of its rough edges. Despite the show being for children, Malcolm McDowell’s Big Bad Wolf is downright malevolent, like he’s a pre-burnt Freddy Krueger acting in a children’s play, and he seems to be having the time of his life deploying his specific brand of creepy appeal. In the title role, Mary Steenburgen is fine, but it’s Frances Bay as the grandmother who makes the most out of all of her lines and she’s a blast to watch.
Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)
