Hansel and Gretel (1983)
Tim Burton's rare, once-aired Halloween special reimagines a beloved fairy tale with stop-motion magic and genuine dark flair.
Hansel and Gretel - Movie Information
- Original Title: Hansel and Gretel
- Release Year: 1983
- Directed by: Tim Burton
- Type: Movie
- Genres: TV Movie, Fantasy, Horror
- Runtime: 35m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Production Companies: Walt Disney Productions, Burton & Heinrichs Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
- Alternative Titles: Tim Burton's Hansel and Gretel (US)
Hansel and Gretel - Plot
Tim Burton's reimagined classic combines live action and stop motion, making for a creepy adventure into the woods. It is known for having aired only once on Disney Channel, on Halloween Night in 1983.
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Hansel and Gretel - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Tim Burton
Main Cast
- Michael Yama
- Andy Lee
- Alison Hong
- Jim Ishida
- Joe Ranft
- David Koenigsberg
- Linda Gary
- Vincent Price
Writers
- Julie Hickson
Producers
- Rick Heinrichs
Hansel and Gretel - FAQs
Why did Hansel and Gretel only air once?
Tim Burton's Hansel and Gretel aired only once on Disney Channel on Halloween night in 1983 and was never rebroadcast. The special's unconventional tone and dark, quirky style were considered too unusual for Disney's family-friendly programming, making it one of the most elusive pieces of early Burton filmography.
What is Hansel and Gretel about?
This is Tim Burton's darkly imaginative take on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale. Two children venture into a foreboding forest and stumble upon a witch's candy-covered house. Blending live action with stop-motion animation, the short delivers a genuinely eerie atmosphere that sets it apart from conventional children's retellings.
Is Hansel and Gretel based on a true story?
No, it's not based on a true story. The film adapts the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tale first published in 1812. Some folklorists have theorized the original tale may have roots in historical famine periods, but Burton's version is a purely fantastical retelling of the classic children's story.
Who are the main actors in Hansel and Gretel?
The cast features Michael Yama as the Stepmother and Witch, Andy Lee as Hansel, Alison Hong as Gretel, and Jim Ishida as the Father. Joe Ranft appears as a Puppeteer, Linda Gary voices the Lollipop Monster, and the legendary Vincent Price narrates the entire short.
What makes Tim Burton's Hansel and Gretel unique?
Burton's version stands out for its striking blend of live action and stop-motion animation, its all-Asian cast — an unusual choice for a 1983 Disney production — and its genuinely unsettling visual style. It feels far closer to a horror short than a children's special, foreshadowing Burton's later signature aesthetic.
Who directed Hansel and Gretel?
Tim Burton directed this short film early in his career, while still working at Walt Disney Productions. It was one of his first directorial efforts and already showcased the dark, gothic sensibility that would later define classics like Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, and The Nightmare Before Christmas.
How long is Hansel and Gretel?
Hansel and Gretel runs approximately 35 minutes, making it a short-form TV special rather than a feature film. Despite its brief runtime, it packs in a surprising amount of atmosphere and visual creativity, offering a concentrated dose of early Tim Burton imagination.
What are similar movies to Hansel and Gretel?
If you enjoyed this short, you might also like The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Slumberland, The Curse of Bridge Hollow, or Mickey's Tale of Two Witches for more fantastical fare. For darker fairy tale vibes, In the Lost Lands and An Almost Christmas Story offer similarly imaginative storytelling with a touch of the uncanny.
More About Hansel and Gretel
Explore further details about this rare Tim Burton gem on these authoritative resources.