Princess Caraboo (1994)

User Rating:

5.6/10   

Director:

Michael Austin

Writers (WGA):

Michael Austin (written by) &
John Wells (written by)

Release Date:

16 September 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | History | Mystery | Romance

Tagline:

She was everything they dreamed of... And nothing they expected.

Plot:

Bristol, England, early 19th century. A beautiful young stranger who speaks a weird language is tried for the crime of begging...

Plot Keywords:

Princess | Bristol | Reporter | Language | England

Cast

Jim Broadbent	...	Mr. Worrall
Phoebe Cates	...	Princess Caraboo / Mary Baker
Wendy Hughes	...	Mrs. Worrall
Kevin Kline	...	Frixos
John Lithgow	...	Professor Wilkinson
Stephen Rea	...	Gutch
Peter Eyre	...	Lord Apthorpe
Jacqueline Pearce	...	Lady Apthorpe
Roger Lloyd-Pack	...	Magistrate Haythorne
John Wells	...	Reverend Hunt
John Lynch	...	Amon McCarthy
John Sessions	...	Prince Regent
Arkie Whiteley	...	Betty
Kate Ashfield	...	Ella
Ewan Bailey	...	Ship's Captain

Also Known As:

Princesse Caraboo (Canada: French title) (France) [fr]
La princesa Caraboo (Spain) [es]
La principessa degli intrighi (Italy) [it]
Prinsessa Caraboo (Finland) [fi]
Prinzessin Caraboo (Germany) [de]

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Australia:PG | Finland:S | Germany:o.Al. (w) | Spain:T | Sweden:Btl | USA:PG | Norway:7

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company:

Ardican Films

Trivia:

Based on the true story of Mary Willcocks Baker, who appeared in 1817 in Gloucestershire, England, speaking an unknown language and behaving strangely. Through signs and gestures she claimed to be a princess from an island called Javasu, who had been kidnapped by pirates and escaped. For several months, "Princess Caraboo" was a national figure and was welcomed into high society. Her story was revealed as a hoax after a local woman saw her face in the newspaper and recognized her as a former tenant. After being exposed, the real Mary Baker faded into obscurity and died in 1864 at the age of 75.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Two If by Sea (1996)

Delightful

Wonderful piece and the best role Phoebe Cates has ever had. A sweet and sad tale based on true events, although how close this film is to the truth I do not know. But it is still one of my favorites, I even bought the DVD even though it wasn't in widescreen and had no extras, I just could resist owning this wonderful movie!