The Tales of Beatrix Potter

The Tales of Beatrix Potter

6–
dir. Reginald Mills
UK 1971 / 90’
no dialogue

Can you tell an entire story through dance alone? In a world inspired by Beatrix Potter’s work, the narrative is driven by movement, rhythm, and imagery, creating a charming tale where gesture replace dialogue.

A little girl immerses herself in a fantasy realm where the characters from her favourite books come to life. Throughout the house, she discovers hidden stories, told by the animal characters. Together with the girl, they lead us through a series of dance scenes – full of humour, affection, and subtle feeling.

The colourful costumes, inspired by Potter’s illustrations, and the dancers’ lightness make the film feel like a book brought to life. The Tales of Beatrix Potter is a charming spectacle that showcases the power of a child’s imagination and the magic hidden within a timeless, universal story.

Did you know that…
… the mice, ducks, and frogs are played by real ballet dancers? Dancers from The Royal Ballet perform in animal costumes, telling the entire story through music and ballet only.

Creators

Director
Reginald Mills
Screenplay
Christine Edzard, Richard Goodwin
Cinematography
Austin Dempster
Editing
John Rushton
Music
John Lanchbery
Main cast
Frederick Ashton, Alexander Grant, Wayne Sleep, Michael Coleman, Lesley Collier, Garry Grant
Producers
Richard Goodwin
Production
EMI Films, GW Films
Sales
Tamasa Distribution
Original language
no dialogue