This is the best television series for children (and adults) ever. John Hurt is a great actor, with many excellent performances over many years, but he was born to play the storyteller. The scripts for almost every episode are superb pieces of craftsmanship, and the productions run the gamut of the emotions, being alternately funny, sad, happy, exciting, and always hauntingly beautiful. It is hard to pick a best episode from so many excellent contenders, but "The Soldier and Death", with its timeless pathos, is unbeatable. It is a series to watch with your children, over and over again.

Series as a whole - Jim Henson's best work. John Hurt *is* the Storyteller. Often Oscar-caliber screenplays, not surprising when you consider Minghella doing the writing. Oscar-caliber acting, always.

Sapsorrow - Everybody loves 'The Soldier and Death,' but something about 'Sapsorrow' pushes it an iota higher in my favor. In the first ballroom scene, the costumes, the music - perfection. Hurt and the dog typically semi-interact with the story, but this time Minghella pushes it up that extra notch in the 'ring' scene between Hurt and Sapsorrow. The chemistry between characters is especially well-developed, more so than usual in the series, in reference to the friendship between Straggletag and the prince. Seen it? See it again. Pay more attention (to those of you who don't fanatically adore this 22-minute piece of cinematic perfection). Never seen it? I am so, so sorry.

Luck Child - not as sophisticated as Sapsorrow, but very clever in its own right. This is a story about irony. Irony upon irony, within irony... I love it. Every character is acted to perfection, with the exception of the ferryman. He was doing drama; everyone else was doing romantic comedy. I forgive him. This is my favorite of the primarily comedic episodes, 'Sapsorrow' and 'The Soldier and Death' being examples of more dramatic episodes.

Side note: Greek Myths. What it lack in Minghella subtlety (different writer) it partially makes up for in boldness as it portrays the four chosen myths with more sympathy and respect and history than is usual. Also check out the Jim Henson Hour if you can get your hands on it. For Storyteller adicts, it features The Man Himself introducing the myths, the lion from 'True Bride,' and... No Annoying Opening Theme! Half Storyteller, half pure, unadulterated muppet wit.

Beautiful art direction, excellent editing and wonderful stories make this some of the best television ever produced. The fact that it was relatively short lived is sadly reflective on the state of television. I highly recommend snatching these up as they're released, you'll love them.

I remember watching this show as a kid. It made quite an impression on me, to be honest I was absolutely spellbound.

Quite recently I obtained a DVD-release and was somewhat amazed: It was just as good as I remembered it! This is not simply a bad case of nostalgia, this show is definitely something above the ordinary. We might have struck gold here..

The show is in nine stand alone episodes based on nine old folktales. (Mostly Russian or German) Not so "kidified" as most recent versions, just a little bit cruel, but always with a happy ending (with 2 exceptions)

The special effects (especially the creature effects ) still look really good even in this time of photo-realistic computer animation. If you take into account that this is a TV-production from 1987 the effects are absolutely outstanding! They give a much more living impression than many computer generated creatures I have seen of late.

The actor performances are maybe not always of academy award winning standard.. but I can live with that, and most probably so can you. Not all nine episodes are masterpieces either, but some come very close to being just that. "The Soldier and Death" is in my opinion one of the best and appears to be the first choice of most other reviewers. "Sapsorrow" (their version of Cinderella) is also worth mentioning. Maybe not for it's greatness but for the most enjoyable Disney reference. Very amusing.

When this was aired it had the added title: "Stories for grown up children" and that is a good description of what this is. Maybe not for the very youngest but perfect for anyone else. Especially anyone interested in folktales or anything fantasy-like.

Highly recommended.

its been years since i have seen these shows. i have been searching years for anyone else that has seen these or know anything about them. i thought i made them up. the one i remember most is the soldier and death. i'd ask movie fanatics if they had seen these, mentioning its a Jim Henson and people still didn't know. these are great fables. i was very young when i was these, not even 10 and it left a lasting impression on my life and beliefs. i would recommend anyone to watch these, just remember they are from the 80's so they don't look like the movies today. just give them a shot. Jim Henson was way ahead of his time and died to early.

This was such a wonderful show. Everything about it was charming and captivating.

I loved the dark approach that this show gave to many myths and fairy tales. I guess this was one of the major influences for movies such as "Pan's Labyrinth" and "The City of Lost Children". And also, most of the movies made by Tim Burton.

The atmosphere of every single episode of this show was beautiful and wonderfully made. This was one of the most original and inspiring shows ever made.

Too bad that most of the modern kid's shows aren't so good as this one, being both disgusting and stupid. And also incredibly annoying.

However, this show will remain as a timeless classic, and also, as one of the best television shows ever made.

I remember my dad hiring these episodes on video. My whole family loved them, and now that I have moved away from home and have my own life I am trying to share these fabulous Jim Henson creations with my Husband and stepson but as I am starting to find out not everyone is a Henson fan. Which is a pity since it means they will just have to put up with me searching for this series. But even though they don't find these interesting, I would highly recommend anybody getting hold of the Storyteller. You will be lost in a world of tales from a time when people could only talk about unexplained situations through stories and how people need to care if they were ever confronted with these situations.

I am a big fan of Jim Henson, his Muppet movies, The Muppet Show, The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth are classics that still look splendid, have great music, are always entertaining, have memorable characters and show great values. The Storytellers is no exception, in fact I'd go as far to say it is one of Jim Henson's overall best in his entire career.

I love all the stories. They all are wonderfully constructed, interesting and have a sense of wonder. Soldier and Death especially is filled with pathos and give The Storyteller its timeless classic status, and I adore Sapsorrow too for especially its production values in the first ballroom scene. All the characters are memorable with great, endearing personalities. The show was also beautifully written, sometimes funny, sometimes emotional yet always engaging if somewhat obscure, and adeptly directed.

The Storyteller still looks great. The photography is very skillful, and the puppetry is first rate. And the sets, effects and landscapes still look splendid and rich. The score is perfectly enchanting, medieval in tone, yet both haunting and beautiful and evoking the atmosphere of each story and scene wonderfully. The acting is great, John Hurt was made for the role of the Storyteller, and Brian Henson also does a wonderful job as Storyteller's Dog.

Overall, a timeless and wonderful series and it is sad to see that this series was so short-lived. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Each story has a lesson for young and old. But what more I have to say may spoil a future story. But, I believe what I have to say is for everyone; just for one particular episode: The Soldier and Death.

Okay... of all the stories the one that sticks out for me is "The Soldier and Death" because is was the point in my life I realized that life was terminal. I am not kidding. The airing was on my 8 1/2 birthday... and I will always remember it. I didn't remember its title until tonight, but I new the synopsis. (May 15th, 1988)

It is always difficult to explain that Death is a natural part in Life. It is also difficult for adults to accept that children can accept this fact. I am living proof (currently 28 yrs old) that children can accept this fact and from time to time remind adults...

I write this with tears in my eyes. Heath Ledger - a wonderful actor my own age - died today. It kinda reminded me of many lessons I have learned in my life. So I write this as a reminder to Young and Old... no one is immune to whatever is in store for us.

I hate to say that Death is going to happen, but this Story was the first time I saw Death as not a bad thing; but a part of Life, was quite literally in this story. I can't help it. It was a life changing moment for me and will alway be.

And for that...

I love you Jim Henson (and I still remember much of your work in life up until the day you died, and your memorial Muppet Show) and thank you Brian Henson for keeping the Workshop alive!!! Honest, I do thank you, all of your co-workers, editors, and interns.

The stage is just a stage/ And a show is just a show/ But Imagination will create Magic/ That Forever the world will Know.

Thank you!!!

(And for all who doubt me... Dance, Magic Dance)

Jim Henson always seemed to put out wonderful television shows. This was sadly one of the shortest lived. It was endearing to hear each tale with their delightful morals. Each episode was a new story, with new characters. John Hurt did a wonderful job playing the Storyteller, and the sarcastic tone of Brian Henson as the dog was always enjoyable.

The set designs and costumes were very well done. The Muppet work, when required, is classic Jim Henson work. You know it is a Muppet, but it's endearing appearance more than forgives. You find yourself enchanted and compelled. When each episode comes to an end, you realize that you were quite entertained. An entertained that is fulfilling, not the kind that wears off after a few moments. You sit back and think about each episode, realizing that each story is indeed timeless, and presents a strong tale of morality.

I have yet to show this to my own children, but this is indeed a series that is more than family entertainment. I implore you to find it on DVD, and snatch it up. If you can't do that, then just find it some how.

Despite its pedigree, the most interesting things about this series are not the animatronics or puppetry, which, while charming, are little more than sideshows, at least in the story I saw, A STORY SHORT. In fact, loathe though I am to admit it, the programme's chief pleasure lies in that most ancient art, storytelling.

John Hurt, in Rowley Birken QC-mode, grotesque, medieval make-up, relates a story about story telling, seated by the fire, accompanied by a cynical dog. One winter's day, starving and poor, he spots a fellow beggar thrown out of the Royal Kitchen by the nasty cook. The Story Teller tricks this latter into giving them an excellent soup. Furious, the Cook pleads with the King for permission to boil the villain, but, pleased with the Story Teller's wit, the monarch offers him a reprieve - for 100 nights, he must tell the King a new story: if he fails to do so, he will hand him over to the cook.

The story may be old, but it's told with great gusto. Anthony Minghella's script is excellently dramatic (as befits a playwright), witty, and with some disturbing concerns beneath the fun, such as fears for the self, or the culturally self-generating power of storytelling, linked to the continuation of ideological power. For a programme aimed at children, it is bracingly self-reflexive (with little nonsense about film being the new oral culture); despite the Americanised style, there is a charming sense of medieval bustle, its grotesqueness and arbitrary terror, as well as its magic and power.

These little-known tales are very well written. Unfortunately, someone decided a straight-forward visual style, a la Shelley Duvall's Fairy Tale Theatre, would be boring. Therefore someone felt the stupid need to 'spice things up' with MTV-style visuals and fast cutting. Well, they were very wrong. They merely succeeded in making a group of wonderfully narrated stories (by the always-reliable John Hurt) into some headache-inducing, artsy-fartsy MTV videos without music. Too bad. Likewise, most of the stories feature little-known and mostly talentless actors, chosen more for their physical appearance than any thespian capabilities. There are a few minor exceptions, but for the most part, other than Hurt, there is little or no effort put into the performances. Of course, this may be because the actors were required to perform in a vacuum for the benefit of green-screen visuals. Of course, the Henson 'puppets' are well constructed, but we've seen most of these too many times already for them to be in any way intriguing.

i loved this series when i was 6 and now i own it on dvd i love it even more.The key to this(and all the other jim henson fantasies)is that if they had recreated all those monsters with a computer, it might have looked okay then but by now it would of been laughed at by any critical viewer.The stories are all so beautifully created they are extremeley hard to forget, and who said the title music was corny!! my favourite of all the stories is probably the three ravens in a close tye with the soldier and death. the only episode i dont like is hans my hedgehog, this can be forgiven as it was made as a pilot and probably had smaller budget, the camera is shakey storytellers makeup is different and hans mum and dad are two terribly annoying actors but all the rest are great buy and enjoy edward

Watched it 30 years ago, and I can watch it over and over again.

The stories are excellent and the execution is very special. It's timeless.

I remember watching this as a kid when it came out and you just can't replicate that excitement and magic this show radiated. It was a bit scary for a kid but also captivating and you just had to go through it.

It has a very unique dark 80s esthetics that in time I guess was considered modern, but today comes out as very creative. Like a slideshow of vignettes in surrealistic art imagery used to tell a visual story backed by John Hurt's narration. Very similar use of visual imagery as in a lot of 80s musical videos. Combined with Henson 80s puppetry magic and based on centuries old folk stories you have a perfect fantasy show. Too bad it didn't last longer. It's up there with things like The Labyrinth, Return to Oz or The Adventures of Baron Munchausen.

I remember renting these on VHS when I was a kid. I loved them then, and I love them now. I probably appreciate them more as an adult than I did when I was young.

Why more episodes weren't made is beyond me. They are such entertaining stories that everyone can enjoy.

One of the last jewels in Jim's crown.

How far we have fallen (Happy Time Muders).

Jim's slightly dark side cone to the seint with German, Russia , Irish, and other Faire tales.

John Hurt is wonderful as the Storyteller.

Jim was a visionary and Brian has not Lived up.

With the exception of Muppet's Christmas Carol, Jim in turning in his grave.

This is one of my favorite fantasy shows of all time, it's also a bit of an under the radar gem as it was a show that was under credited as it wasn't quite a major hit at the time but as time went on it's became a cult classic, there is even a series of licensed graphic novels from "Archaia" based on the show which are cool.

This is also one of my favorite anthology TV shows as it's one that is based on the fantasy genre; it's kind of funny I say that as most anthologies like "The Twilight Zone" have a fantasy story or at least elements of fantasy, but this show is different as it's fully into the genre of fantasy.

Jim Henson and fantasy are just a wonderful mix together and fitting as his company has mainly made fantasies become reality. But as usual he has some of the best damn special effects imaginable as their all practical, make up and puppeteering at its best.

Really like the designs of some of the fantasy creature from the humanoid Hedgehog Hans you could say sort of predates that "Sonic the Hedgehog" film (ok, not quite but all the same we say a humanoid hedgehog in live action). To the little devil creatures in another story who are despite being ugly kind of cute but have funny personas. Their along favorite in small monster like the "Gremlins" and "Critters" in my book; and others you just must see to believe.

I really like the fairy tales told, some are familiar but others not so familiar, I honestly wouldn't be surprised if one day some movie or animated film based on them ever happened. But that's beside the point, I just simply love the fact they tread on unfamiliar ground as they have fairy tales from other regions, and not just retold some of the popular and familiar tales again which I find refreshing. This makes the show have educational value to show how broad Fairy Tales and Fantasy truly is and its universal appeal.

Really like both host/narrators the late John Hurt, he really fit the tales he tells. John Hurt whom has sort of that old gentle tone but also slight bit of humor. And he has sort of a co-host which is a cute talking dog (voiced by Brian Henson) who ironically looks a bit like the dog Sprocket from "Fragile Rock" really like how he plays off both host as he's sort of a bit of a comediator which adds humor to the show but helps in connecting with the audience some of his reactions are funny because their true they're some of what we feel. But both help in reassuring the audience that the stories were seeing are just that stories.

Most of the tales are memorable and all good in their own way, all well-acted and the production value is on par.

Like "Sapsorrow" which is sort of the Cinderella tale but a very different version and personally I found a lot more interesting as the Cinderella in these turns into a Werewolf. Ok, not quite but close, I know it sounds strange, but it all makes sense when you see it for yourself.

Another "The Soldier and Death" which is an interesting one that doesn't go the way you'd expect (like most fairy tales) in a good way that makes sense, but you could say another story that goes with the old saying, "Good Deeds don't go unpunished."

It would be cool to have a revival, but I'd want the same practical puppeteering and make up effects, good voice actors and acting and most importantly a good host; may 'be "Doctor Who" alumni like Peter Capaldi, Toby Jones etc. Along with good cast of actors in each of the new tales like Haley Atwell, Jenna Coleman, etc. Also, audio books for the graphic novels and toys for the creatures in the series. I know this is a tall order but it's something to think about and we really could use anthologies again let alone just escapism in general, just a thought.

Fairy Tales never gets old as long at they keep getting told throughout all time.

Rating: 4 stars.

Great treat and story telling. Fun find. By end however the stories started to get a little old and predictable.

Although the Soldier's story was the best - they were all marvellous. Good stories, well told, and despite the animatronics, taken seriously by the actors.

It was tucked away on Channel 4 in the UK. I missed one or two of them, but where as most rubbish gets repeated ad nausium - Storyteller wasn't. Typical.

Do not miss out. If this is on - tape it !

The Storyteller is a series that will age well, despite some use of primitive computer generated effects. It appeals to young and old, as long as there is still a sense of wonder and magic in the individual. It is beautifully, lyrically written and based on ancient stories that have been thoroughly researched. The actors are magnificent, as are the creatures which Jim Henson's team creates. The medieval score lends an authenticity to each episode and is thoroughly enchanting in its own right. There is a richness to the series that is not found in Disney, as there is no attempt to dumb down the stories for children. The best episodes are "The Three Ravens", "Straggletag" and "The Soldier and Death".

The Storyteller is excellent on so many levels. It tells fables or fairy tales from a variety of cultural sources and "universalizes" them somewhat for people who don't understand the particular cultural context. It's filmatic techniques are fantastic, such as the many clever segues from scene to scene. And, the creature effects are still better than anything anyone else has tried to do. The entire series is a testament to the creative genius of Jim Henson that has, unfortunately, been lost with him.