Teacher Notes - Key Stage 1
Key Stage Target
Curriculum Links
A Guide to Fairy Tales on Film
✓KS1
✓Literacy ✓Art ✓Design and Technology ✓Music
A Guide to Fairy Tales on Film
“Stories and the telling of stories, are the foundations of
human communication and understanding”
Film Director Baroness Beeban Kidron OBE
Storytelling is one of the oldest forms of communication and there are few more engaging
ways to tell a story than through film. Some of the most enduring stories, with the greatest
appeal to children, are fairytales; often featuring European folkloric characters and magic or
enchantment, these have inspired many great films. To tie in with National Storytelling Week
2014, (February 1st- 8th), we have created two new fairytale themed topics aimed at Key Stages
1 and 2. Each features five hand-picked films, accompanied by teachers’ notes, discussion
questions, recommended activities and a worksheet which can be photocopied for use in class
or a school film club. From storyboarding, creating new stories about the characters and
making and performing a puppet show, right through to writing their own story, the activities
can be used to develop pupils’ literacy, oral and critical skills and encourage them to delve into
their imaginations.
Teacher Notes - Key Stage 1
A Guide to Fairy Tales on Film
The films included in this topic are:
Frozen (2013, PG) 108 mins
Rapunzel from the Ray Harryhausen: The Early Years Collection (1951, PG) 11 mins
Kirikou and the Men and the Women (2012, U) 88 mins
Lotte Reiniger: The Fairytale Films – Hansel and Gretel (1955, PG) 10 mins
Jack Frost (1964, PG) 84 mins
Running a film club in your school can enrich the curriculum and allow young people to explore
a wide variety of issues, experience cultures beyond their own, and develop their creativity,
communication skills and confidence. After watching a film students are encouraged to
comment during a post-screening discussion before writing reviews on the website (which has a
real audience of other young people) where they can analyse the film and develop their literacy
and critical skills. Above all, students and teachers can enjoy the shared experience of watching
and discussing a film together.
Set up a free film club and enjoy free access to thousands of films and education resources for
learning through film and about film. To join or for information visit www.filmclub.org, email
[email protected] or call 0207 288 4520.
Teacher Notes - Key Stage 1
A Guide to Fairy Tales on Film
Frozen (2013, PG) 108 mins
Enrichment Focus
This film resource is aimed at age 5+. Suggested subjects for discussion are storytelling,
characterisation and friendship.
What’s this film about?
Funny, snow-filled Disney adventure inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s traditional icy
fairytale, The Snow Queen.
Why this film?
Elsa and Anna are two young, beautiful princesses of the snow-capped mountainous kingdom
of Arendelle. Once upon a time they were very close until an accident, caused by Elsa’s magical
snow and ice-making powers, pushed them apart and forced Elsa to suppress her magic. Now
soon to become Queen, Elsa’s powers are so strong so that she accidentally casts the whole
kingdom into eternal winter. With the help of Kristoff, a gung-ho mountain man, and Olaf, the
friendliest snowman you’ll ever meet, her sister Princess Anna must set out to find Elsa and save
the kingdom of Arendelle from the freeze. Frozen is a fun-filled snowy adventure that puts an
inventive twist on the fairytale tradition while carrying through the original tale’s message of the
power of love over evil.
What the critics think
“I thought this was the most magical movie I've ever seen”.
Film club member Sorcha, aged 10.
“Frozen may be a nod to the pleasures of vintage Disney and old fairy tales, but there’s nothing
outdated about it”.
Stephanie Merry, Washington Post
Teacher Notes - Key Stage 1
A Guide to Fairy Tales on Film
Before the film: Starter Activity
List the types of characters you expect to
find in a fairytale?
After the film: Discussion Questions
1. Did you like the ending of the film? Did
you expect it to have a different ending?
2. Which characters would you describe as
good and which characters would you
describe as evil?
3. Describe the kingdom of Arendelle. What
makes it a fairytale place?
Next Steps
1. Get your students’ voices heard by joining
Into Film, running a film club and writing
reviews at www.filmclub.org
2. Give your students the Frozen Activity
worksheet. Ask them to cut out the
statements and put them in the right
order in the storyboard. They can then
draw a picture in each large box.
3. Watch the FILMCLUB interview with the
producer of Frozen, Peter Del Vecto:
http://www.filmclub.org/behind-thescenes/details/485/frozen-s-peter-delvecho and Behind the Scenes visit to the
film’s set in Hollywood: http://
www.filmclub.org/behind-the-scenes/
details/478/frozen
Teacher Notes
1. A happy ending is when at the end of the story
good wins over bad and the main characters
are all happy — apart from the villains who are
punished for their bad behaviour. Frozen does
have a happy ending as the spell is broken,
Anna is saved, Elsa and Anna are brought back
together and the selfish Prince who is evil to
Anna is put in prison.
2. Anna, Kristoff, Sven, Olaf, Hans and Paddie can
be described as good characters. Elsa’s
unkindness is not because she is bad but
because she is worried about the strength of
her powers and so avoids hurting anyone by
being cold and hiding away. In the end it is
Elsa’s goodness, her love and care that saves
Anna. Marshmallow may seem like a thug but
he is in fact just strong and protective of Elsa.
The Duke of Weselton is the villain of the film. We
learn that he is a show-off, selfish and greedy
for power.
3. The story is set in the kingdom of Arendelle, a
beautiful snowy mountainous place with
perfect blue skies and a dreamlike castle
making it feel like a magical far-away place
rather than a real place.
Frozen Activity worksheet
A Guide to Fairy Tales on Film
1. Cut out the statements
2. Stick them in the right order in the storyboard
3. Draw and colour in pictures showing what happens in the story.
Anna falls in love
with Prince Hans.
The sisters are friends
again
Anna freezes when
she looks for her sister.
Their parents die and
Elsa becomes queen.
Anna gets frozen trying
to save her sister.
Elsa says no to
the wedding.
Anna saves her
sister and thaws.
Princess Elsa
hurts her sister Anna.
Storyboard
Teacher Notes - Key Stage 1
A Guide to Fairy Tales on Film
Rapunzel from the Ray Harryhausen: The Early Years
Collection
(2013, PG) 108 mins
Enrichment Focus
This film resource is aimed at age 5+. Suggested subjects for discussion are storytelling,
characterisation and relationships.
©Harryhausen Productions
What’s this film about?
Celebrated stop-motion animator Ray Harryhausen turns his hand to the Brothers Grimm
fairytale about a beautiful long-haired maiden hidden away in a tower by a terrible witch.
Why this film?
Better known for science fiction creatures and dinosaurs, Ray Harryhausen developed his
animation style on Rapunzel and other adaptations of the fairytales he was told as a child.
Rapunzel is the story of a little girl kidnapped by a witch and hidden at the top of the tower. The
girl grows up to be a beautiful woman with long blond hair that the witch uses to climb up into
the tower, shouting “Rapunzel, Rapunzel let down your hair”. One day, a handsome prince
passes by the tower and discovers Rapunzel and vows to save her but first must overcome the
cruel witch. Through his charming and simple animation Harryhausen captures the fairytale
spirit while lightly touching on the story’s morals of jealousy and revenge.
What the critics think
“The magic about Harryhausen's work is that it's timeless. It feels like a million filmmakers have
been inspired by his animations and he truly was a pioneer.”
Sci-Fi London
Teacher Notes - Key Stage 1
A Guide to Fairy Tales on Film
Before the film: Starter Activity
What do you know about the story of
Rapunzel?
After the film: Discussion Questions
1. Why does the witch kidnap the little girl?
Is she right to do this?
©Harryhausen Productions
2. Describe the tower Rapunzel was put in.
Why do you think the witch put her in a
place like this?
3. Can you list the uses of magic that take
place in the film?
4. Compare the witch to Rapunzel. Why is
the witch jealous of Rapunzel?
Next Steps
1. Get your students’ voices heard by joining
Into Film, running a film club and writing
reviews at www.filmclub.org
2. Use the Shadow Puppet Theatre
Worksheet to create a shadow puppet
version of the fairy tale. Here is a link to a
simple shadow puppet theatre video:
http://videos.kidspot.com.au/videos/
puawsfyh
3. Watch Tangled (2010), PG 7+. How has
the story of Rapunzel been changed in
this film? Watch FILMCLUB’s interview
with the cast and crew of Tangled: http://
www.filmclub.org/behind-the-scenes/
details/71/tangled
Teacher Notes
1. The witch kidnaps the little girl as revenge on the
girl’s parents for stealing her radishes.
2. The tower is very tall with no doors, no stairs and
one room at the top of it. The witch puts Rapunzel
here because she wants to hide her away. Putting
her in the tower makes it hard for anyone to see or
find her.
3. Lots of magic happens in the film. Examples are
Rapunzel’s long hair braiding itself, the spell that
makes the Prince blind, the tears of Rapunzel that
break the spell and allow the Prince to see again
and the Prince’s touch that makes Rapunzel’s hair
grow again.
4. The witch is made out to be an ugly person, both
in looks and in behaviour. She is old and has a big
pointy chin and nose, she is dressed in black with a
shawl covering her grey hair. The witch is jealous
of Rapunzel because she is young and pretty with
beautiful long golden hair.
Shadow Puppet Theatre worksheet
You will need:
• An empty
cardboard box
with the bottom
cut out
• A lamp
• Tissue paper
• Sticky tape
• Lollipop sticks,
straws or pipe
cleaners
A Guide to Fairy Tales on Film
• Printed pictures of
fairy tale
characters (eg.
princess, prince,
dragon, witch)
• Scissors
Instructions:
1. Stick two sheets of tissue paper to the bottom of the box.
2. Carefully cut out the fairy tale characters.
3. Stick the fairy tale characters to the end of the lollipop stick with sticky tape.
4. Turn down the lights.
5. Put the lamp inside the box and turn it on.
6. Use the lollipop stick to move your characters around and create a story.
7. Practise your story.
8. Perform your show to an audience or film it.
Top Tips
✓You can decorate the box with paper, paint, glitter or whatever you fancy!
✓Try to have the puppets entering from both the left and right side to keep your audience o
their toes.
✓Add music to make it more dramatic - you could play some instruments yourself!
Teacher Notes - Key Stage 1
A Guide to Fairy Tales on Film
Kirikou and the Men and the Women
(2013, PG) 108 mins
Enrichment Focus
This film resource is aimed at age 5+. Suggested subjects for discussion are storytelling,
characterisation and relationships.
What’s this film about?
A collection of animated African folk tales that follow the adventures of resourceful and heroic
Kirikou — a small boy living in a mythical village in Africa.
Why this film?
The third in a series of popular African-set, fairy tale inspired films made by the French animator
Michel Ocelot, Kirikou and the Men and the Women is a refreshing alternative to many
contemporary animated tales. We follow a small but mighty boy called Kirikou as he saves his
village from a number of curses cast by the local witch. Based on the tradition of African
legends handed down by word of mouth amongst villagers, each story is bookended by a wise
village elder highlighting how Kirikou’s kindness and energy wins out every time. Focussing on
the relationship between a child and his community, the tales can be watched individually or
together in celebration of this oral storytelling tradition, while the striking colours and style
offer an enchanting modern twist.
What the critics think
“This film was amazing because Kirikou was helpful. The best part was when they were singing”.
Film club member Tariq, aged 8
“Ocelot, who spent time in Guinea as a child, infuses these tales with a disarming narrative
simplicity, while also gently instilling a sense of morality”.
Boyd van Hoeij, Variety
Teacher Notes - Key Stage 1
A Guide to Fairy Tales on Film
Before the film: Starter Activity
What qualities do you expect the hero in a
fairy tale to have?
The questions in this resource relate to the
section of the DVD from 46:32 to 1:05:06.
After the film: Discussion Questions
1. Why does the man in white talk at the
start and end of each section?
2. Watch 46:32 - 1:05:06. How does the
griot (storyteller) let people know that she
is ready to start telling her story?
3. Why do you think that stories are so
important to Kirikou and his village?
4. Why do you think that Kirikou added his
own ending to the story of Sundiata?
What does this tell us about Kirikou?
5. In what ways is this story similar to other
fairy tales that you know?
Next Steps
1. Get your students’ voices heard by joining
Into Film, running a film club and writing
reviews at www.filmclub.org
2. Ask your students to create their own
story about Kirikou that they can tell to
their classmates during circle time. Try to
think of a way to start the story. Use the
Wise Mountain Story Planner.
3. Watch Kirikou and the Sorceress (1998, U)
5+, 74 mins. What else do you learn about
Kirikou in this film?
Teacher Notes
1. The man is a storyteller and is introducing each
tale in the film. At the end he explains what the
message of it is and how Kirikou helped to save the
day.
2. The griot bangs her stick on the ground and she
says “I recount”. The audience replies, “we are
listening”. The griot says “once upon a time”, and
the audience replies “thus it was in time” before
the griot starts to tell her story.
3. Stories are important to the villagers for
entertainment because they do not have
televisions or radios. Stories of important people
such as Sundiata who was a great leader are
passed on through storytelling rather than in
books; this is called the oral tradition.
4. Kirikou added his own ending because he thought
that it was better. This tells us that Kirikou could
grow up to become a griot himself. Can you think
of any fairy tales whose endings you could
change?
5. The film included Kirikou as the hero, Karaba as
the baddie and lots of magic like the rose petals
that sent the villagers to sleep.
Wise Mountain Story Planner worksheet
A Guide to Fairy Tales on Film
1. Create your own story about
Kirikou.
3. Share your story with your class
during circle time.
2. Fill in the Wise Mountain Story
Planner with ideas for your
story.
4. Try to use the same words that
Kirikou and the griot used to
start off your story, or make up
your own!
Wise Mountain Story Planner
Teacher Notes - Key Stage 1
A Guide to Fairy Tales on Film
Lotte Reiniger: The Fairytale Films - Hansel and Gretel
(1955, PG) 10 mins
Enrichment Focus
This film resource is aimed at age 5+. Suggested subjects for discussion are storytelling,
characterisation and relationships.
© Primrose Productions
What’s this film about?
German animator Lotte Reiniger uses her unique silhouette animation style to tell the popular
Brothers Grimm fairytale of two lost children, a gingerbread house and an evil witch.
Why this film?
“Nibble nibble little mouse, who is nibbling up my house?”. Brother and sister, Hansel and
Gretel have followed a squirrel and got lost in a deep dark forest. Coming across a house with
walls made out of gingerbread, windows made out of sugar and a roof made out of marzipan
cakes, they can’t help but take a bite! Caught by an evil witch with a magic stick whose house it
is, she kidnaps Hansel and Gretel and makes them work for her. With the help of the forest
animals, the children must try to escape and break the witch’s stick. The delightful soundtrack,
gentle narration and black and white colouring tells this classic tale in a bewitching way.
What the critics think
“It was so cool!”
Film club member Curtis, aged 12.
“These are fairy tales as they were before Disney got his hands on them - dark, European folk
tales with nothing soppy about them.”
Phelim O’Neil, The Guardian
Teacher Notes - Key Stage 1
A Guide to Fairy Tales on Film
Before the film: Starter Activity
List the animals that you would find in a
forest. What personality do you think each
animal would have?
After the film: Discussion Questions
1. Can you describe how the film looked? Is
it different to other animated films you’ve
seen?
2. Do you think Hansel and Gretel do
anything wrong in the film?
3. Describe the witch in the film. Is she a
good or a bad witch? What makes you
think this?
Next Steps
1. Get your students’ voices heard by joining
Into Film, running a film club and writing
reviews at www.filmclub.org
2. If you could make a house out of sweets
what would you use to make the walls,
the windows and the roof out of? Draw a
house made out of sweets.
3. Use the Hansel and Gretel Activity
worksheet to design the costumes for the
characters in a live action version of the
film.
© Primrose Productions
Teacher Notes
1. There are many differences here to the types of
animation students may have seen before (Disney
or CGI animation) Students may spot any of the
following:
It’s in black and white
It’s made out of silhouettes
The movement is in the foreground (the
backgrounds are still) and it isn’t very smooth.
2. First of all Hansel and Gretel disobey their mother
who tells them not to go too far from the house in
case they get lost. Later on when they find the
gingerbread house they just start to eat it without
finding out who it belongs to.
3. Students will use many words to describe the
witch. Most will probably think that she is a bad
witch because she makes Gretel do lots of work
and puts Hansel in a cage with a goose.
Hansel and Gretel Activity worksheet
A Guide to Fairy Tales on Film
If you were making a new film version of Hansel and Gretel,
what would the main characters look like?
1. Design the costumes for Hansel and Gretel below.
2. Colour them in or stick on real pieces of fabric.
3. Add labels to explain why you chose them.
Hansel
Gretel
Teacher Notes - Key Stage 1
A Guide to Fairy Tales on Film
Jack Frost (1964, PG) 84 mins
Enrichment Focus
This film resource is aimed at age 5+. Suggested subjects for discussion are storytelling,
characterisation and relationships.
© Gorky Film Studios
What’s this film about?
Magical, memorable Soviet film based on a Russian folk tale about a boastful guy who is turned
into a bear after trying to impress a beautiful girl.
Why this film?
When you think of movie fairy tales, what will probably come to mind first is the likes of
Disney's Cinderella and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. But classic fairy tales can come
from other sources too — like the wonderful Jack Frost, adapted from an old folk legend. The
story here follows the adventures of the boastful Ivan, who meets the beautiful, shy Nastenka in
the woods but, after he foolishly tries to impress her, he is turned into a bear. Can the arrogant
Ivan win back his real identity and Nastenka too?
What the critics think
“I thought this film was a great story between good and evil”.
Film club member George aged 10.
“It was EXTREMELY funny, interesting, and a little bit romantic. I enjoyed every minute of it”.
Film club member Haydon aged 10.
Teacher Notes - Key Stage 1
A Guide to Fairy Tales on Film
Before the film: Starter Activity
Fairy tales usually feature people who are
‘goodies’ and ‘baddies’. Make a list of all the
people that you think are good and bad in
fairy tales you know. Does everyone agree?
Look out for the ‘goodies’ and ‘baddies’ in
this film.
After the film: Discussion Questions
1. Describe Natenska’s step-mother and
step-sister. Are they good or bad to
Natenska? Why?
Teacher Notes
2. What does Ivan learn from being turned
into a bear?
1. The step-mother is very cruel and treats her own
daughter much more favourably than Natenska.
The step-sister is rude and selfish.
3. Who is Jack Frost and what does he do to
help Ivan and Natenska?
2. Ivan is very proud, boastful and vain. He learns to
stop looking at himself in the mirror and to do
good deeds for other people.
4. Does the character of Jack Frost remind
you of anyone? Why?
5. How many types of magic, good and bad,
occur in the film? Can you list them?
Next Steps
1. Get your students’ voices heard by joining
Into Film, running a film club and writing
reviews at www.filmclub.org
2. Ask students how they think Baba Yaga
(Hunchback Fairy) got her moving house.
Students can plan a story explaining what
happened using the Baba Yaga’s House
worksheet before telling their story to the
rest of their class.
3. Jack Frost helps Natenska escape from her selfish
family and to marry Ivan.
4. He looks very simillar to Father Christmas, though
of course being Soviet Russsia, there is no mention
of Christmas at all.
5. Students will be able to list many different types of
magic including talking animals, disappearing
sorcerers, magic spells, trees that talk and walk,
and sleighs that move on their own.
Baba Yaga’s House worksheet
A Guide to Fairy Tales on Film
How did Baba Yaga get the moving house? Did she use magic? How does the house feel?
Use the planner below to write your story and then tell your story to your class.
Once upon a time
Then, one day
Suddenly
Baba Yaga lived happily ever after in her moving house.