User reviews

Dawn French was made for roles such as this and she is well supported by a varied cast of quality British TV faces notably Bill Bailey for a cute interlude with young RD. I think that it managed its intentions well enough with a balance of humour and the darker side of BP and her animal world. We used to have these books and the kids enjoyed them at bedtimes so it was a little trip down memory lane. Also liked the reminder of how this wonderful woman did so much for one of the most scenic parts of the UK. We have much to thank her for. All in all not a waste of your time when xmas fare on TV is seldom the best of the year.

This is the second of two films about the life of Beatrix Potter to have appeared in recent years. The first, "Miss Potter", dealt with the early part of her career as a writer and with her romance with her publisher, Norman Warne, a romance tragically cut short by his early death. In "Roald and Beatrix" she is now in her fifties, a successful children's writer living on a Lakeland farm with her lawyer husband William Heelis.

The "Roald" of the title is another famous children's writer, Roald Dahl, although in 1922 when the film is set he was still only a child of six years old himself. The story (apparently a true one) tells of how Dahl, grieving over the recent deaths of his father and sister and rebelling against his mother's plan to send him to boarding school, ran away from the family home in Cardiff intending to make his way to the Lake District to visit his favourite author. His mother followed him, but instead of preventing him from making the journey agreed to accompany him. The film tells the story of what happened when the two met.

Potter is played by Dawn French as a formidable if rather absent-minded old lady, surprisingly unsentimental for someone who made a living writing stories about talking bunny-rabbits; there is a thread running throughout the narrative about her attempts to kill a goose for dinner. (The story takes place over the Christmas holidays). Another plot thread deals with a young woman whom Potter's publishers have sent in order to pass on some suggestions as to how Potter might "improve" her literary style, suggestions that she treats with disdain. The full title, "Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse", refers to this emissary's suggestion that Potter should rewrite the scene in the nursery-rhyme in which the farmer's wife cuts off the tails of the three blind mice, which she claims is excessively cruel. (Did, I wonder this scene actually take place in 1922, a less sentimental period than our own, or was it the scriptwriter's joke at the expense of 21st century political correctness?)

I must admit that, although Roald Dahl was a favourite of mine, I never liked Potter's books as a child. They always struck me (and still do) as the sort of children's books that appeal to adults far more than they do to children. (Some of my friends claimed to like them, but I wondered if they were just saying that to please their parents and teachers). I think that, in my case, the problem was that Miss Potter's language is much more adult than her subject-matter. As a young child I struggled with her unfamiliar vocabulary, and when I was older and could understand her language, her tales of cutesy animals struck me as twee and babyish.

Despite this prejudice, however, I enjoyed "Miss Potter" greatly. "Roald and Beatrix" is perhaps not quite as good, but I nevertheless liked it. French makes Potter a likeably eccentric heroine, even if a did keep hearing echoes of the Vicar of Dibley, and young Harry Tayler is excellent as the young Roald. At nine he is rather older than Dahl would have been in 1922, but I don't think that matters, as it is easier to envisage a nine-year-old than a six-year-old running away from home in this manner. The period is lovingly recreated in best British "heritage cinema" style, and the visual look of the film is very attractive. This was one of British television's better offerings over this year's festive season. 7/10

Roald Dahl actually didn't mean anything to me until this film, but his works like "Mathilda", "The BFG" or "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" did, after all they are among the most famous film adaptations of his works.

The film itself shows him in his childhood and how he felt the fascination of his favorite works of Beatrix Potter. For the fact that it was mainly supposed to portray him, we learned quite little about him. Only that he had four siblings, one of whom died of a ruptured appendix and shortly thereafter his father also passed away. I would have liked a deeper insight into Roald Dahl, but the film is a children's film and is primarily aimed at this audience. Adults can still watch documentaries or read his autobiographies.

I am probably biased because I love Dahl and Potter but this film for me was about Dahl s mum. She did really have to bury her husband and daughter within weeks and tho this film may take liberties, I am in awe of any woman or son who made good on that pain. This is beautiful to the eye and soul ... may we seek to be this beautiful x

It is very well acted, and it looks beautiful. It was a perfectly lovely film, but it felt like there was something missing or that more should have been happening. If you want something sweet to watch with the family, watch this. Though it might not be exciting or fun enough to keep younger viewers interested.

Was expecting it to be better than it actually was. Overall, it felt a bit twee. Great picture postcard scenery of the Lake District though. Jessica Haynes as Sophie Dahl was excellent with her Scandinavian accent and young Harry Tayler played a sympathetic young Roald.

A pleasant enough way to pass the time

We watched this Boxing Day. I missed it on Christmas Eve. Absolutely wonderful. Beautifully filmed. The only programme that really made it feel Christmas. Great cast and John Hannah narrating. What else could you possibly want.

Absolutely delightful, and should be taken for what it is - A beautifully scripted and scenic cinematic festive tale. The lead actors were all wonderful - Dawn french is a gem as the older and well renowned more grouchy Miss P, the young boy playing Roald is a delight and Jessica Hynes as his mother is simply lovely. I also adored the cameo roles of the wonderful Alison steadman, Bill Bailey and Rob Bryden. True fans will have noticed the delightful subtlety of Mr Twit appearing in the rude bearded man at the funeral and the BFG in the strange talking, big eared friendly train driver and even possibly the Witch of The Witches in Miss P herself. I think it was lovely that the actual interaction between the two writers was so brief at the end of the film so as to be faithful to what probably actually happened in real life. Thank you Sky, I've thoroughly enjoyed this festive treat!

Really disappointed with this film. I was really looking forward after the most terrible year (2020) to watching this on Christmas Eve with my little family. It really is a pointless film with a terrible story line, well if you can call it a storyline. What a waste of a fabulous opportunity...

Was such a lovely film.. I wanted more.. it was Christmassy and had two of my favorite writers included

Given that the film is based anyway on a pretty unremarkable event, it seems a very strange decision to write a story about it. It is a storyline that inevitably falls flat on its face in slow motion. Nothing wrong with the acting or the beautiful cinematography.

A charming and simple story nicely told and put together. A shining star in a meagre Christmas TV schedule.

I think I wanted more from this one? If it is just the beginning of a series, I may be able to forgive it somewhat, but if this is the sum total of their connection, I can't help feeling that it is not quite noteworthy enough to bother making in to a film.

I was quite disappointed that their actual meeting only lasted a few minutes, as I'd expected the whole film to be about the connection that they had made. However, if there are going to be follow ups that show the rest of their story, then this was a nice gentle way to start it. As a stand alone story though, I felt it was quite slow going and lacked the interest I thought it would provide. If they had become the best of friends or if he had helped her write a book or she had inspired him to write his first, then I could see the point, otherwise it was just a little bit twee.

Don't get me wrong, it was a nice little film, but it didn't really seem to go anywhere. It was filmed well and in some great locations and the actors were all very good. Jessica Hynes in particular, despite her almost Welsh, Norwegian accent, was a very good character as Roald's Mother. Why they chose Rob Brydon to play William Heelis though, I don't know? He was not Welsh as far as I can see? Honestly I just don't like Mr Brydon anyway. John Hannah was and is always an inspired choice as the narrator, that voice just has such charm.

I'd love to see the IMDB trivia section fill up with information about the actual connection between the two, in order to understand it better. I made a vague attempt at studying it via Wikipedia, but could not satisfy my curiosity. Perhaps it should have been completely truthful instead of just sort of?

"Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse" is a delightful and heartwarming film that brings together the imaginative worlds of two beloved children's authors, Roald Dahl and Beatrix Potter. Directed by David Kerr and written by Abi Wilson, this charming biographical drama transports viewers into the enchanting realm of storytelling and creativity.

The film follows the fictionalized meeting between the young Roald Dahl, portrayed by Harry Tayler, and the aging Beatrix Potter, played by Dawn French. Set in the picturesque English countryside, the story unfolds as a young Roald embarks on a journey to meet his idol, Beatrix, seeking her advice and guidance on his budding career as a writer. What ensues is a magical encounter filled with whimsy, imagination, and a touch of nostalgia.

One of the film's greatest strengths lies in its portrayal of the titular characters. Harry Tayler captures the essence of a young Roald Dahl with remarkable authenticity, infusing his performance with a sense of wonder and curiosity that perfectly embodies the spirit of the beloved author. Dawn French, on the other hand, delivers a captivating portrayal of Beatrix Potter, exuding warmth, wisdom, and a hint of eccentricity that makes her character truly endearing.

The chemistry between Tayler and French is palpable, and their interactions on screen are a joy to watch. From their initial meeting to their heartfelt conversations about writing and storytelling, every scene between the two leads brims with charm and genuine emotion. It's evident that both actors fully embraced their roles, bringing depth and nuance to their characters that elevate the film to new heights.

In addition to its stellar performances, "Roald & Beatrix" also boasts stunning cinematography that beautifully captures the idyllic landscapes of the English countryside. Each frame is meticulously composed, offering viewers a visual feast that perfectly complements the film's enchanting narrative. From lush green meadows to quaint cottages adorned with blooming flowers, every setting feels like a page torn from a storybook come to life.

While the film primarily focuses on the fictionalized encounter between Roald Dahl and Beatrix Potter, it also offers glimpses into the lives of these iconic authors, shedding light on the inspirations behind some of their most beloved works. From Dahl's childhood adventures to Potter's love for nature and wildlife, "Roald & Beatrix" provides fascinating insights into the creative minds of two literary legends.

Despite its many strengths, "Roald & Beatrix" does have one notable downside: its relatively short runtime. Clocking in at just under 90 minutes, the film leaves viewers craving for more, especially considering the rich source material and the wealth of stories surrounding both Roald Dahl and Beatrix Potter. While the film succeeds in capturing the essence of their meeting, a longer runtime could have allowed for deeper exploration of their lives and legacies.

In conclusion, "Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse" is a charming and enchanting film that celebrates the magic of storytelling and the enduring legacy of two literary icons. With its stellar performances, breathtaking cinematography, and heartfelt narrative, it's a must-watch for fans of Roald Dahl, Beatrix Potter, and anyone who believes in the power of imagination. While its short runtime may leave viewers wanting more, the film's whimsical charm and heartfelt message make it a truly unforgettable cinematic experience.

I was looking forward to this seasonal derma, but what a let down. I gave it 25 minutes then asked my wife if she wanted to watch any more ... no! So we turned it off.