Ella Enchanted

"Get enchanted"

2004 1h 36m EN

👍

6.5

SOLID

★6.5TMDB · 2,025

FamilyFantasyComedy

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Ella lives in a magical world in which each child, at the moment of their birth, is given a virtuous "gift" from a fairy godmother. Ella's so-called gift, however, is obedience. This birthright proves itself to be quite the curse once Ella finds herself in the hands of several unscrupulous characters whom she quite literally cannot disobey. Determined to gain control of her life and decisions, Ella sets off on a journey to find her fairy godmother who she hopes will lift the curse. The path, however, isn't easy -- Ella must outwit a slew of unpleasant obstacles including ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, elves and Prince Charmont's evil uncle, who wants to take over the crown and rule the kingdom.

“Get enchanted”

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Cast

Anne Hathaway
Ella
Hugh Dancy
Char
Cary Elwes
Edgar
Aidan McArdle
Slannen
Joanna Lumley
Dame Olga
Lucy Punch
Hattie
Jennifer Higham
Olive
Minnie Driver
Mandy

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Tommy O'Haver
Writers: Karen McCullah, Laurie Craig, Kirsten Smith
Languages: English
Countries: Ireland, United Kingdom

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

MONEY

Did you know

Earned back only 88% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 22 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: Ireland, United Kingdom.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Tommy O'Haver, shot by John de Borman. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Nick Glennie-Smith. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Masahiro Hirakubo shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Anne Hathaway and Hugh Dancy and Cary Elwes carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "Get enchanted".

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Tommy O'Haver directs. John de Borman behind the camera. Nick Glennie-Smith scores. Masahiro Hirakubo cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. A commercial under-performer on release. Produced in Ireland, United Kingdom. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Earned back only 88% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.
2Released 22 years ago.
3International production across 2 countries: Ireland, United Kingdom.
4Directed by Tommy O'Haver, shot by John de Borman. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Original score by Nick Glennie-Smith. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
6Editor Masahiro Hirakubo shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
7Anne Hathaway and Hugh Dancy and Cary Elwes carry the top of the cast.
8Marketing tagline: "Get enchanted".
9IMDB entry: tt0327679 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
10Classified under 11 themes, including "based on novel or book", "elves", "magic", "fairy tale".
11Released under 10 different titles around the world.

The technical file

Cinematography: John de Borman
Original score: Nick Glennie-Smith
Editing: Masahiro Hirakubo
Production design: Norman Garwood
Costume design: Ruth Myers
Makeup / hair: Eileen Buggy
VFX supervisor: Matthew Twyford
Sound: John Fitzgerald
Stunt coordinator: Paul Jennings
Runtime: 96 min · 1h 36m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Budget: $31,000,000
Box office: $27,400,000
Return: 88% of budget
Original language: EN
Certification (US): PG
IMDB: Ella Enchanted (2004)

Also by

Tommy O'Haver

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What people are saying

RalphRahal2025-01-05
★ 6/10
Ella Enchanted is a whimsical fairy tale that manages to stand out, even if it doesn’t quite reach perfection. The first act does a great job introducing the characters, setting up the plot, and establishing the unique charm of this world. The second act keeps a solid pace, building on the adventure and humor, and it all leads to a satisfying climax in the final act. While the cinematography and editing aren't flawless, they don’t detract from the experience either, they're just there, doing their job without standing out. What really sets this movie apart is its message about consent, autonomy, and freedom. These themes hit differently today than they did in 2004. Sure, the whimsical elements might feel over-the-top or gimmicky at times, but they also give the movie a unique personality. It’s a fun watch that knows exactly what it’s trying to say and follows through on that. For a film directed by Tommy O'Haver, who doesn’t have a big name or portfolio, it’s a respectable effort

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