Neverland (miniseries)

Last updated
Neverland
Neverland2011DVDCover.jpg
DVD cover
Genre Adventure
Fantasy
Written byNick Willing
Directed by Nick Willing
Starring Rhys Ifans
Anna Friel
Charles Dance
Q'orianka Kilcher
Raoul Trujillo
Cas Anvar
George Aguilar
Bob Hoskins
Charlie Rowe
Keira Knightley
Theme music composerRonan Hardiman
Country of origin United Kingdom
United States
Production
ProducerRedmond Morris
CinematographySeamus Deasy
Editor Allan Lee
Running time161 minutes
Production companiesParallel Films
Sky Movies Production
Original release
Network Syfy (US), Sky Movies (UK), Zee Cinema (India)
Release4 December (2011-12-04) 
5 December 2011 (2011-12-05)

Neverland is a fantasy television miniseries that aired on the Syfy network (United States) on December 4 and 5, 2011, and Sky Movies (United Kingdom) on December 9 and 16 December on Zee Cinema (India), written and directed by Nick Willing. It is a prequel to the story of Peter Pan.

Contents

Plot

In London, England 1906, thief James "Jimmy" Hook assembles a gang of juvenile street thieves to help him steal a strange glowing orb from an antique store. While carrying out the theft, Hook and the boys vanish. Only Peter, who had been assigned to play lookout, is left. Believing it was a bomb and his friends are dead, Peter takes the orb and returns home.

A man arrives asking for Hook, and Peter decides to follow him, hoping to get information about why Jimmy was hired to steal the orb. He is caught, and introduced to Dr. Richard Fludd, who explains that Hook and the boys are not dead, but have been transported to another world. Peter returns home, where he hits the orb, determined to find his friends and bring them home.

Meanwhile, Hook and the boys find themselves in a strange land and are quickly captured by a band of pirates, led by Captain Elizabeth Bonny. Bonny shows Hook magical dust that comes from the tree spirits that live on the island. The dust gives the power of flight, but she only has a small vial and wants Hook's help in getting more.

Peter finds himself in the middle of a forest, and is reunited with Fox, who managed to avoid being captured. The boys make friends with the natives and meet the chief's daughter, Aaya. They learn that the natives protect the tree spirit colony from the pirates. Peter and Fox rescue their friends from the pirates. Fox is killed during the ensuing fight.

Upon returning to the Native village, a tribal elder shows Peter a painting depicting a scene from a dream they've both had. Aaya recognizes it as a place near their hunting grounds. Peter decides to find the place, hoping to discover a way to return to London. Upon arrival, they meet Dr. Fludd, the royal alchemist for Queen Elizabeth I. He explains that he discovered a planet where time stands still and created the orb as a way of transporting people there. While they plot a way to return Peter and the boys back to London, they are interrupted by the pirates, who kill Fludd, take the orb, and stab Peter. Tinker Bell brings Peter to be healed by the tree spirits in their magical mineral pool.

Hook tells Peter he wants to go back to London and persuades Peter to show him the mountain passage and the mineral pool. Once they reach the passage, Jimmy betrays Peter and reveals that the pirates followed them. Bonnie immerses herself in the mineral dust, but since only the innocent can use the pool, Bonnie instead burns to death and Hook takes over as captain. Furious, Hook reveals with rage to Peter that he was once engaged to his mother and killed his father when he found out about their affair. The tree spirits, angry that Peter lead Hook to them, erase Peter's memory. Tinker Bell defends Peter and is ostracized from her people.

The Lost Boys restore Peter's memory and he leads them to the pirates in the hopes of finding the orb. Peter follows Hook to the orb, while the Indians arrive and fight the pirates. Peter duels with Hook, while Aaya leads the Lost Boys against the pirates. While fighting, Tinker Bell is badly injured. Peter finds the orb, but is unable to escape before the cave collapses. At the end of a sword fight, Peter cuts off the Hook's hand, and a crocodile swallows it, along with Peter's father's watch, which Hook had stolen after murdering him. Hook asks Peter to kill him, but he refuses because he's not like him.

Some time later, the boys are living with the Natives when they are surprised to see Peter and Tinker Bell reappear. He tells them that he managed to activate the orb before the cave collapsed, returning to London. He stole the London orb, and hid it so no one else can use it, before activating it one last time to return to Neverland. Curly suddenly points out to Peter that his shadow is missing, thus leading into the events of the original story.

Cast

Production

Film production took place in Swords, Dublin, Ireland and Genoa, Italy.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Captain Hook</span> Fictional pirate

Captain James Hook is the main antagonist of J. M. Barrie's 1904 play Peter Pan; or, the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up and its various adaptations, in which he is Peter Pan's archenemy. The character is a pirate captain of the brig Jolly Roger. His two principal fears are the sight of his own blood and the crocodile who pursues him after eating the hand cut off by Pan. An iron hook replaced his severed hand, which gave the pirate his name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neverland</span> Fictional island in Peter Pan and other works of J. M. Barrie

Neverland is a fictional island featured in the works of J. M. Barrie and those based on them. It is an imaginary faraway place where Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Captain Hook, the Lost Boys, and some other imaginary beings and creatures live.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tinker Bell</span> Fictional character created by J. M. Barrie

Tinker Bell is a fictional character from J. M. Barrie's 1904 play Peter Pan and its 1911 novelisation Peter and Wendy. She has appeared in a variety of film and television adaptations of the Peter Pan stories, in particular the 1953 animated Walt Disney picture Peter Pan. She also appears in the official 2006 sequel Peter Pan in Scarlet by Geraldine McCaughrean commissioned by Great Ormond Street Hospital as well as the "Peter and the Starcatchers" book series by Ridley Pearson and Dave Barry.

<i>Hook</i> (film) 1991 American fantasy film by Steven Spielberg

Hook is a 1991 American fantasy adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg and written by James V. Hart and Malia Scotch Marmo. It stars Robin Williams as Peter Banning / Peter Pan, Dustin Hoffman as Captain Hook, Julia Roberts as Tinker Bell, Bob Hoskins as Mr. Smee, and Maggie Smith as Granny Wendy. It serves as a sequel to J. M. Barrie's 1911 novel, Peter and Wendy, focusing on an adult Peter Pan who has forgotten his childhood. In his new life, he is known as Peter Banning, a successful but unimaginative and workaholic lawyer with a wife and two children. However, when his old archenemy, Captain Hook, kidnaps his children, he returns to Neverland to save them. Along the journey, he reclaims the memories of his past and becomes a better person.

<i>Peter Pan</i> (2003 film) 2003 American film directed by P. J. Hogan

Peter Pan is a 2003 fantasy adventure film directed by P. J. Hogan and written by Hogan and Michael Goldenberg. The screenplay is based on the 1904 play and 1911 novel Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up by J.M. Barrie. Jason Isaacs plays the dual roles of Captain Hook and George Darling, Olivia Williams plays Mary Darling, while Jeremy Sumpter plays Peter Pan, Rachel Hurd-Wood plays Wendy Darling, and Ludivine Sagnier plays Tinker Bell. Lynn Redgrave plays a supporting role as Aunt Millicent, a new character created for the film.

<i>Foxs Peter Pan & the Pirates</i> 1990 American television series

Fox's Peter Pan and the Pirates is an American animated television series based on J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan that aired on Fox Kids from September 8, 1990, to September 10, 1991. 65 episodes were produced. The show was one of Fox's first forays into programming for children.

<i>Return to Never Land</i> 2002 film

Return to Never Land is a 2002 animated adventure fantasy film produced by Disney MovieToons and Walt Disney Television Animation. A sequel to Walt Disney Feature Animation's 1953 film Peter Pan, the film follows Wendy's daughter, Jane, who is mistakenly abducted and brought to Neverland and must learn to believe in order to return home. The film stars the voices of Harriet Owen, Blayne Weaver, Corey Burton, Jeff Bennett, Kath Soucie, Spencer Breslin, and Bradley Pierce.

Lost Boys (<i>Peter Pan</i>) Fictional characters

The Lost Boys are characters from J. M. Barrie's 1904 play Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up and later adaptations and extensions to the story. They are boys "who fall out of their prams when the nurse is looking the other way and if they are not claimed in seven days, they are sent far away to the Neverland," where Peter Pan is their captain.

<i>Peter Pan: The Animated Series</i> Anime series by Nippon Animation

Peter Pan: The Animated Series is an anime series by Nippon Animation, directed by Yoshio Kuroda, which first aired in Japan on Fuji Television between January 15, 1989 and December 24, 1989, and it is also popular in the United Kingdom.

<i>Peter Pan in Scarlet</i> 2006 novel by Geraldine McCaughrea

Peter Pan in Scarlet is a 2006 novel by British author Geraldine McCaughrean. It is the official sequel to J. M. Barrie's Peter and Wendy (1911), as it was authorised by Great Ormond Street Hospital, which was granted all rights to the characters and original writings by Barrie in 1929. McCaughrean was selected in 2004 following a competition in which novelists were invited to submit a sample chapter and plot outline for a sequel. Set in 1926, the book continues the story of the Lost Boys, the Darling family, and Peter Pan, during the reign of George V and following World War I.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Pan</span> Character created by James Matthew Barrie

Peter Pan is a fictional character created by Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie. A free-spirited and mischievous young boy who can fly and never grows up, Peter Pan spends his never-ending childhood having adventures on the mythical island of Neverland as the leader of the Lost Boys, interacting with fairies, pirates, mermaids, Native Americans, and occasionally ordinary children from the world outside Neverland.

<i>Peter Pan</i> (1954 musical) 1954 musical adaptation

Peter Pan is a musical based on J. M. Barrie's 1904 play Peter Pan and his 1911 novelization of it, Peter and Wendy. The music is mostly by Moose Charlap, with additional music by Jule Styne, and most of the lyrics were written by Carolyn Leigh, with additional lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green.

Tiger Lily (<i>Peter Pan</i>) Fictional character

Tiger Lily is a fictional character in J. M. Barrie's 1904 play Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up, his 1911 novel Peter and Wendy, and their various adaptations.

The works of J. M. Barrie about Peter Pan feature many characters. The numerous adaptations and sequels to those stories feature many of the same characters, and introduce new ones. Most of these strive for continuity with Barrie's work, developing a fairly consistent cast of characters living in Neverland and the real-world settings of Barrie's stories.

<i>Peter Pan</i> (1988 film) 1988 animated film

Peter Pan is an Australian 50-minute direct-to-video animated film from Burbank Films Australia. It was originally released in 1988. The film is based on J. M. Barrie's 1911 novel Peter and Wendy adapted by Paul Leadon, which was in turn based on the 1904 play Peter Pan; or, the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up. It was adapted by Paul Leadon. The film was produced by Roz Phillips and featured music composed by John Stuart. The copyright in this film is now owned by Pulse Distribution and Entertainment and administered by digital rights management firm NuTech Digital.

<i>Peter and Wendy</i> Book and play by J. M. Barrie

Peter Pan; or, the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up, often known simply as Peter Pan, is a work by J. M. Barrie, in the form of a 1904 play and a 1911 novel titled Peter and Wendy, often extended in Peter Pan and Wendy. Both versions tell the story of Peter Pan, a mischievous little boy who can fly, and has many adventures on the island of Neverland that is inhabited by mermaids, fairies, Native Americans, and pirates. The Peter Pan stories also involve the characters Wendy Darling and her two brothers John and Michael, Peter's fairy Tinker Bell, the Lost Boys, and the pirate Captain Hook. The play and novel were inspired by Barrie's friendship with the Llewelyn Davies family.

<i>Tinker Bell</i> (film series) Animated fantasy film series produced by DisneyToon Studios

Tinker Bell is an animated fantasy film series produced by DisneyToon Studios as part of the Disney Fairies franchise after producing a number of direct-to-video Winnie the Pooh films. Voices of Mae Whitman, Lucy Liu, Raven-Symoné, America Ferrera, Kristin Chenoweth and Pamela Adlon are featured in the films. Six feature films and one TV special were produced: Tinker Bell, Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure, Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue, Secret of the Wings,Pixie Hollow Games, The Pirate Fairy, and Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast. The series is a spin-off of and prequel to Peter Pan. Originally developed as a direct-to-video franchise, the series was theatrically released from its third film onwards.

Peter Pan is a Disney media franchise based on J. M. Barrie's original 1904 play and 1911 novel, which officially commenced with the 1953 theatrical film Peter Pan. The spin-off film series Tinker Bell has continued this franchise into the 21st century.

<i>Peter Pan & Wendy</i> 2023 film by David Lowery

Peter Pan & Wendy is a 2023 American fantasy adventure film directed by David Lowery from a screenplay he co-wrote with Toby Halbrooks. Jim Whitaker served as producer on the Walt Disney Pictures and Whitaker Entertainment production, which is a live-action remake of Walt Disney's 1953 animated feature film Peter Pan, in turn based on the 1904 play Peter Pan; or, the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up by J. M. Barrie. The film stars Alexander Molony and Ever Anderson in the title roles. Jude Law, Yara Shahidi, Alyssa Wapanatâhk, Joshua Pickering, Jacobi Jupe and Jim Gaffigan also appear in supporting roles. The story follows Peter Pan and Wendy, who go to the magical world of Neverland with Wendy's brothers and Peter's best friend Tinker Bell. Along the way, Wendy embarks on the adventure that will change her life and encounters Peter's archenemy Captain Hook.

References

    1. Werts, Diane (November 30, 2011). "Neverland tale is all grown up". Newsday. Archived from the original on February 20, 2020. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
    2. Nancy deWolf Smith (December 2, 2011). "Lost Boys and Bad Girls". The Wall Street Journal . Retrieved April 15, 2013.
    3. Serjeant, Jill (December 1, 2011). "Neverland gives fantasy twist to Peter Pan tale". Reuters . Retrieved April 15, 2013.
    4. Bianco, Robert (December 2, 2011). "Syfy shows growth in Neverland miniseries". USA Today . Retrieved April 15, 2013.
    5. R.J. Carter (December 2, 2011). "Interview: Charlie Rowe: Newest Peter Pan Flies High in Syfy's Neverland". The Trades. Archived from the original on May 15, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
    6. Kay, Janice (November 30, 2011). "Trailer for Neverland Movie Coming To Syfy This Weekend". ScienceFiction.com. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
    7. Hale, Mike (December 2, 2011). "Peter Pan, Before the Magic". The New York Times . Retrieved April 15, 2013.
    8. Hinckley, David (December 4, 2011). "Syfy's Neverland is a prequel to the Peter Pan story, set in Victorian London". Daily News . Retrieved April 15, 2013.
    9. Ng, Philiana (December 6, 2011). "Syfy's Neverland Starts Off on Good Ratings Note". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved April 15, 2013.