{"id":30436,"date":"2013-04-03T09:50:13","date_gmt":"2013-04-03T16:50:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=30436"},"modified":"2021-01-31T22:25:46","modified_gmt":"2021-02-01T05:25:46","slug":"darby-ogill-and-the-little-people-1959","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=30436","title":{"rendered":"Darby O&#8217;Gill and the Little People (1959)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;I declare my soul, when I tell &#8217;em this down at the pub, they won&#8217;t believe a word of it.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Poster-147x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"147\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-30447\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Poster-147x300.jpg 147w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Poster-62x128.jpg 62w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Poster.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 147px) 100vw, 147px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nAn elderly Irishman (Albert Sharpe) whose livelihood is about to be taken over by a strapping young stranger (Sean Connery) earns three wishes from the king of the leprechauns (Jimmy O&#8217;Dea), but struggles to determine how he can best guarantee the happiness of his grown daughter (Janet Munro), who is being pursued by a bullying local (Kieron Moore).\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cat-and-Mouse<\/li>\n<li>Fantasy<\/li>\n<li>Folk Tales, Fairy Tales, and Mythology<\/li>\n<li>Ireland<\/li>\n<li>Leprechauns<\/li>\n<li>&#8220;No One Believes Me!&#8221;<\/li>\n<li>Sean Connery Films<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nI was pleasantly surprised to visit this live-action Disney film for the first time recently, and to learn that it fully deserves its status as one of the best in its genre. The clever, dialect-filled script (based on early-20th-century stories by <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Herminie_Templeton_Kavanagh\">Herminie Templeton Kavanagh<\/a>) will appeal to adults as well as kids, bringing ancient legends of leprechauns to life within the realistic context of a garrulous old man who may or may not simply be spinning tall tales. The performances are top-notch across the board &#8212; most notably Albert Sharpe as wily Darby O&#8217;Gill (I&#8217;m glad he was cast rather than Disney&#8217;s first choice, Barry Fitzgerald), and an entirely convincing Jimmy O&#8217;Dea as pint-sized King Brian; we never tire of seeing these two interacting with one another in a relentless yet consistently respectful game of cat-and-mouse. Janet Munro, meanwhile, sparkles as Sharpe&#8217;s strong-willed daughter, and Sean Connery is suitably handsome as her would-be lover; smaller supporting roles (i.e., Estelle Winwood as a meddling old neighbor) are also nicely filled. <\/p>\n<p>But it&#8217;s the truly stunning special effects which really impress, as full-sized Darby interacts seamlessly with tiny King Brian, and the leprechaun kingdom is brought to magical life. A special &#8220;must-see&#8221; documentary on the DVD goes behind the scenes of the film&#8217;s production to reveal the genius of Peter Ellenshaw&#8217;s special effects, which ranged from labor-intensive use of forced perspective to strategic integration of gorgeous matte backgrounds (meticulously painted by Ellenshaw himself). The later presence of a menacing banshee and &#8220;death coach&#8221; floating in the air are a bit less spectacular, but still quite spooky (as attested by legions of viewers who recall being scared witless by them as children). Thankfully, the film&#8217;s impressive special effects are put to good use within a story that remains engaging and suspenseful until the very end; you will likely find yourself believing just a tiny bit in leprechauns yourself by the time the film is over.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> I recommend watching this one with subtitles running, to catch all the nuances of the rich dialect spoken by the characters. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Albert Sharpe as Darby O&#8217;Gill<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Sharpe.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Sharpe.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-30440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Sharpe.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Sharpe-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Sharpe-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Jimmy O&#8217;Dea as King Brian<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-ODea.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-ODea.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-30446\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-ODea.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-ODea-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-ODea-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Janet Munro as Katie O&#8217;Gill<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Sets2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Sets2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-30439\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Sets2.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Sets2-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Sets2-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Sean Connery as Michael McBride<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-OConnery.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-OConnery.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-30445\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-OConnery.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-OConnery-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-OConnery-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Truly stunning special effects and sets<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Special-Effects1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Special-Effects1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-30441\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Special-Effects1.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Special-Effects1-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Special-Effects1-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Special-Effects2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Special-Effects2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-30442\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Special-Effects2.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Special-Effects2-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Special-Effects2-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Special-Effects3.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Special-Effects3.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-30443\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Special-Effects3.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Special-Effects3-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Special-Effects3-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Sets1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Sets1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-30438\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Sets1.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Sets1-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Sets1-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Sets2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Sets2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-30439\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Sets2.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Sets2-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Darby-OGill-Sets2-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Oliver Wallace and Lawrence E. Watkin&#8217;s lilting score<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, as an unsung gem from Disney&#8217;s vaults. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Good Show<\/li>\n<li>Historically Relevant<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0052722\/?ref_=sr_1\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1959\/07\/01\/archives\/the-little-people.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thespinningimage.co.uk\/cultfilms\/displaycultfilm.asp?reviewid=2764&#038;aff=13\">Spinning Image Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.combustiblecelluloid.com\/classic\/darbyogill.shtml\">Combustible Celluloid Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s1328darb.html\">DVD Savant Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/moria.co.nz\/fantasy\/darby-ogill-and-the-little-people-1959.htm\">Moria Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/72263\/darby-ogill-and-the-little-people#articles-reviews?articleId=1074428\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.timeout.com\/london\/film\/darby-ogill-and-the-little-people\">Time Out Capsule Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;I declare my soul, when I tell &#8217;em this down at the pub, they won&#8217;t believe a word of it.&#8221; Synopsis: An elderly Irishman (Albert Sharpe) whose livelihood is about to be taken over by a strapping young stranger (Sean Connery) earns three wishes from the king of the leprechauns (Jimmy O&#8217;Dea), but struggles to determine how he can best guarantee the happiness of his grown daughter (Janet Munro), who is being pursued by a bullying local (Kieron Moore). Genres,&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=30436\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30436","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30436","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=30436"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30436\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":67565,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30436\/revisions\/67565"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=30436"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=30436"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=30436"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}