Alice in Wonderland 1951 & Alice in Wonderland TV 1985 Reviews (2010)

Of the many film adaptations of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, these are two I saw at a very young age that left an impression on me.
Edited by Mike.
ORIGINALLY AIRED: FEBRUARY 18TH, 2010
Get Cinemassacre shirts, games, and Blu-rays on RETROWARE:
swm.to/3hOzDyE
OR get our merch on AMAZON! (including Internationally)
"A Movie Making Nerd" Autobiography: amzn.to/3GqSw58
Nintendo Switch AVGN Game: amzn.to/3XarsNc
PlayStation 4 AVGN Game: amzn.to/3TJYmBE
AVGN BFG Collection: amzn.to/3U0RyzL
AVGN The Movie Blu-ray: amzn.to/3tC8CBl
Board James Complete Blu-ray: amzn.to/3V8A5WH
AVGN X Blu-ray Collection: amzn.to/3tKuzxP
Follow James:
/ cinemassacre
Follow Mike:
Web Links - linktr.ee/mike...
Twitch - / mikemateilive
Twitter - / mike_matei
For everything else Cinemassacre:
cinemassacre.com/
#jamesrolfe #aliceinwonderland #moviereview

[@amaiorano]

My great-aunt had recorded the live-action one on VHS, and gave it to us. My sisters and I watched it, and we were scared shitless when the Jabberwocky appeared. But here's the best part: we only had part 1 on the tape! My great-aunt hadn't taped both parts, so we were left with just the nightmare, and no resolution. Ironically, despite that, we would still watch it from time to time. We only ever saw part 2 like 20 years later!

[@McNeilmDonna]

I'm available

[@xXLunatikxXlul]

@@McNeilmDonna😂

[@tommy516]

Watched it live, same effect on me.

[@VahanNisanian]

The girl in the 1985 version was also in "Oliver & Company", a criminally overlooked Disney animated feature.

[@pdogg70]

No

[@ellnats]

as who?

[@VahanNisanian]

@@ellnats Jenny Foxworth.

[@ellnats]

@@VahanNisanian Of Course

[@101Volts]

Oliver & Company ended up being re-broadcast in or around 1998. I also remember getting a McDonald's Toy that I thought was of Jenny, but it was in September 2000, and she was sitting in a boat. Maybe the Church gave them out after getting them a few years earlier, but what sense does the boat part make?

[@MissLisa-n7s]

The Jaberwocky in 1985 version was iconic

[@OrochiFlamez]

I've been looking for this review for ages. it wasn't on the Cinemassacre site anymore from what I remember, but I'm glad it's here on youtube.

[@NatPix]

I LOVED that live-action movie when I was a kid. I had forgotten all the celebrities who were in it. Thank you for the trip down memory lane.

[@GeneralOlde]

The 1951 Disney film is my favorite Disney film ever, and its version of Alice is one of my favorite characters ever. Kathryn Beaumont really embodied the character in a way no other actress has done before or since.

[@54GodzillaFan]

I actually bought a DVD copy of the 1985 mini-series at a thrift store because of this old review!

[@cynicalgenie]

The version known as Alice 1988 w the stop motion skeleton animals and the sock worms still gives me nightmares 😐 I love it tho because it's Alice basically following the white rabbit through the clutter filled dilapidated backrooms

[@ShawnRavenfire]

I remember that one. The whole thing just had a disturbing "dirty" feel to it.

[@cynicalgenie]

@@ShawnRavenfire 💯 percent

[@McNeilmDonna]

I'm available

[@jamesreece9502]

James always hits that nostalgia nerve better than anybody.

[@dumpling321]

I LOVED the miniseries as a kid, the jabberwock terrified me, but I still watched the crap out of it...

[@DefinitelyReagan]

Alice in Wonderland from 1999 is the definitive version, hands down. It's beautifully whimsical and has a phenomenal cast and soundtrack. For some reason, it's almost entirely overlooked.

[@KombatGod]

You mean the one with Whoopy Goldberg as the cat?

[@DefinitelyReagan]

@@KombatGod The very same!

[@timscheuermann2554]

that cliff hanger ending of the life movie scared the ever living shit out of me.

[@Musicradio77Network]

Compared to the 1933 version which scared the beejeepers out of me.

[@dreamguardian8320]

The 1951 Alice in Wonderland will always be the best version, especially since it's 2D hand-drawn animated.

[@Musicradio77Network]

It’s on Disney+.

[@dreamguardian8320]

@@Musicradio77Network I know.

[@Steambull1]

The 1933 Alice in Wonderland by Paramount is definitely worth watching, too. It also combines "Through the Looking Glass" with "Adventures in Wonderland," and visually it is very faithful to the original illustrations (not that this is automatically a good thing, but worth mentioning). It's famous for the fact that Paramount cast all their big stars in it, but the film bombed financially anyway.

[@Musicradio77Network]

The 1933 live action version of “Alice In Wonderland” was a nightmare fuel.

[@StusGameReviews]

Wow what a trip. I saw the 1985 2-parter on TV as a kid but you just brought all the memories back. I never forgot the songs though, or my favorite part - when Alice meets Humpty Dumpty and he asks her her name, and when she says "Alice", he practically yells at her - "That's a STUPID name!!!" At least that's how I remember it. I always thought it was funny. Now I have to go buy the DVD. :)

[@kevincrossgrove1802]

Animated Alice is def in my top 5 Disney movies. Tv show looked cool too.

[@Uncle_Flute]

Thank you so much for uploading this! I remember watching this years ago. ❤❤

[@johnnythewalrus]

As soon as James said he wanted to talk about one particular scene, I knew exactly what he meant. Being the same age as James, I also remember seeing this as a kid, and being scared shitless.

[@bruggetje]

5:29 thats no goat, thats a sheep.

[@VahanNisanian]

Ringo Starr in the 1985 version (I say this as a Beatles fan) blew my mind.

[@ellnats]

but i thought nobody liked Ringo?

[@iisanulquiorrahara8]

@@ellnats That's just something we Beatles fans like to say, but only the stuck-up ones mean it.

[@neox5642]

Ringo Starr was also a narrator for the original Thomas the tank engine show back in the 80s

[@VahanNisanian]

@@neox5642 Yes, I knew about Ringo's association with Thomas the Tank Engine, but never this until 2010.

[@gamerbear84]

I fortunately didn't see this while TOO young, but it absolutely did remind me of a recurring childhood nightmare of mine, where I'd be playing in the yard and every time I'd feel something being awry, then a dark shape would move behind the row of trees before the Big Bad Wolf would burst into view, charging at me and spook me awake. The Jabberwocky had a very similar feel to it in the special.

[@MrKite]

That SpikeTV logo sent me *BACK*

[@ShawnRavenfire]

For all the different actors who have played the part of the Mad Hatter, it's an incredible missed opportunity that no one ever made a Marx Brothers version with Groucho as the Hatter. How perfect would that have been?

[@Pon3TorLord]

I gave the 30's movie adaptation a watch and I liked it a lot, not sure why critics alike didn't apprieciate it back when it came out. It would be interesting to hear James' opinion on that one.

[@GuyTheArtist]

The 1985 is honestly the one adaptation of Alice I see as comparable to the MGM Wizard of Oz

[@chrisjeffrey7570]

Totally forgot about zooballeee zoooo! Awesome man

[@deathbysloth]

I hope the Tim Burton version lives up to your hype 🤣🤣🤣

[@KombatGod]

Another great classic review from James "the only way to review this movie is to talk about singular scenes" Rolfe.

[@Vonlicktenstien]

Man… I totally just put the whole (white rabbit/matrix/Alice in wonderland) thing together.. only took me 24 years.

[@fumomofumosarum5893]

no praise for the child actress? she's such a good alice, in every aspect, at least imo. one of the best interpretations.

[@anthonysandoval5512]

Glad I'm not the only one who was tramautized by the jabberwocky part. Granted I saw this when I was younger on youtube since I was born in 1996, but that part gave me nightmares for days

[@daniellemdangelo]

I remember watching through the looking glass and being even more terrified because there was a storm outside 😂

[@singletona082]

Probably was the sameish age as James when I saw it on tv and... little kid me saw that and 'wait WHAT THE FUCK!?' And then... Over. Never saw the secondp art. Hell part of me thought that was the end of it. 'here kid you got home but everything's fucked HAVE FUUUUUN.'

[@bensneb360]

Agreed the Disney version is my favorite and I enjoyed it a lot as a kid, it’s definitely one of those stories that works better in animation than live action

[@JustinEvitable80]

To this day, I have never seen the Alice In Wonderland Disney movie. Only that live action one. I had it recorded on VHS. Back then, I didn't know many specific actors but after watching the part at 4:44, it makes me want to see it again due to how many I know of now.

[@soundandfurymusic]

Does James confuse goats with sheep?

[@williamzeo2493]

I don't remember if I saw this movie as a kid, but Neverending Story was what did this effect to me.

[@RaxonXVI]

I freaking love the 51 cartoon such a special movie for me I love Alice in wonderland so much

[@jamesl.anderson1384]

7:08 🫏: 🐉!!!

[@ShawnRavenfire]

I've seen so many different versions of Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass that I've lost county, but the 1985 version is still my favorite.

[@tskmaster3837]

"She just turned into a goat." Goats, known for bleating like sheep. Reminds me of a song... "Bleating and babbling, they fell on his neck with a scream!" Goats by Pink Floyd, good song.

[@Hellseeker1]

Caterpillar just blows smoke in her face and dips out, “Purple Haze Mofo” lol

[@oldmanretro949]

fred flintstones mother in law reminded me of the disney queen as a child

[@OmnicidalClown1992]

I'm sure a majority of people who thinks of a movie version of Alice in Wonderland, they think of the 1951 version. I used to watch this movie on VHS, along with other animated Disney films, all the time.

[@tommy516]

The Jabberwocky was nightmare fuel, literal nightmare fuel!

[@Awesoman]

I probably watched the 1985 TV movie hundreds of times as a kid. Surprisingly I don't believe the infamous Jabberwocky scene that ends part one really scared me too much. Not sure how that happened as by all accounts it should have. 🤷🏼‍♂️ Loved the TV movie but its slow pace and dated visuals have probably contributed to it fading into obscurity. But most of the musical numbers (written by Steve Allen) are excellent and deserve more attention.

[@b_rad5651]

Thought I was the only one who knew about and enjoyed that live action Alice in Wonderland TV special. Whew...glad I'm not alone lol I loved it! 😊 Wanted to try all those treats she ate that made her grow or shrink they looked so yummy 😋 And although the Jabberwocky was frightening, I found the design appealing and would make Lego constructs of it lol Nice jog down memory lane 🤗

[@McNeilmDonna]

I'm available

[@hancocacolashotfirst]

Lol, that's def. a sheep, not a goat.

[@robertcatania1120]

still have the TV movie on DVD (and original VHS recording from TV taping), my daughter loves it. My favorite song also is the jam tomorrow, jam yesterday...but never ever jam today! I too was petrified of the Jabberwocky at the end of part 1 as a kid, but my kids aren't even phased by it. Just goes to show what kids are exposed to today at a young age is quite different than when we were kids in the 80s, which honestly doesn't make sense because children movies of the 80s had plenty of therapy inducing iconic scenes that stuck with us for life (looking at you Neverending Story). Children movies today baby them....so I'm really surprised they basically yawned through it. Maybe it's the 80s practical effects and costumes that make it less threatening to them as they are used to grandios CGI effects in today's films.

[@junioriyamyas]

I watched 85 the orig airing on tv. Its still my fav rendition on alice. I had to buy it on dvd

[@HerecomestheCalavera]

My favorite character is the 5:40 rabbit who has no time and is always late.

[@CinemaStormz]

Awesome review!

[@EntertainmentFan11]

With what Depp has gone through recently (the trial for the accusations his bitch of an ex-wife based on him), I don't think a Wizard of Oz remake by Tim Burton is gonna happen.

[@Popcultureguy3000]

I *HATE* how all you thirsty Depp apologists are completely ignoring how the most recent trial and UK trial before it more or less exposed that both of them made their marriage hell for each other! I kept thinking of that song “The Masochism Tango” whenever another revelation about their violent fights came to light in last years trial.

[@HeadacheCentral]

@@Popcultureguy3000 Yeah, that relationship was clearly just not something that worked at all. It sucks even more that it got made into such a public spectacle to the point that people were memeing the trial itself.

[@alexgarbe1971]

Oh man, I was terrified of the Jabberwocky for a long time after this one.

[@Zack_Wildfire]

Sadly because it looks like just a dragon it doesn't look the least bit frightening

[@alexgarbe1971]

@@Zack_Wildfire So true. Looking back, it's amazing it bothered me at all. But I must have been just the right age. And like James said, the movie is going along all nice and sweet at that point, and then, all of a sudden, there it is.

[@ezequielgomez7083]

I was a huge ultra fan of my all-time favorite story was a classic tale Lewis Carroll Alice in Wonderland. In my opinion only 2 of my all-time favorite of Alice in Wonderland flim was Disney Classic Flim 1951 and Paramount Live-Action 1933 starting Charlotte Henry. I watch my number 1 all-time favorite disney classic flim Alice in Wonderland on 📀 Starting Kathryn Beaumont when I was a 8 year old child since 2009

[@kdusel1991]

Another great video!!

[@coldbreezeproductions]

hope all is well James :D

[@FrankTech]

Ah So Mike is still involved with cinemassacre... hmm.. Ironically.. I just watched the dvd of AIW (1985) the other day with my daughter.. last time I seen it was the mid 80s... took me a long time to figure out what movie that was because when I seen it I was maybe 4 and all I remember was the jabberwocky.. lol

[@mikethegrunty5968]

The Jabberwocky gave me nightmares as a kid

[@aliceinmansonland448]

"Said the White Rabbit..." Oh, you're not doing the uber creepy one with Taxidermy animals? Well let's get high and watch the other ones!

[@Musicradio77Network]

A band called Jefferson Airplane did a song about “White Rabbit”.

[@JeffBarrow-n7o]

Alice in Wonderland. The Wall version is the best.

[@MovieeeeMan]

Just picked up Alice '85 on Amazon!

[@pvanukoff]

The best adaptation is Jan Švankmajer's 1988 movie. Nice and creepy.

[@THEBaldEagle1]

Alice 1985? Produced by the one/the only...IRWIN ALLEN. He made great stuff. He made awful stuff. But the man could CERTAINLY line up the stars in some humongous casts!

[@MaestroDrake]

It was all about Princess Peach and Bowser.

[@kelvynacosta]

I really like the live action

[@traviswebb5094]

Return to OZ scared the hell outta me.

[@somenuttysquirrel]

_...Milt Kahl's magic head swaggle __2:11_

[@joeyisjustso]

Love the treasure cat 🐈

[@dreamguardian8320]

That's Cheshire Cat.

[@joeyisjustso]

@@dreamguardian8320 I see your a fan of the treasure cat too!

[@dreamguardian8320]

@@joeyisjustso Not treasure, CHESHIRE!

[@joeyisjustso]

@@dreamguardian8320 yeah but he called it the treasure cat, and my friends call it that too. It's a new England thing. You don't understand the accent

[@BlacEyedPriest765]

Thanks for the post ☺️☺️

[@mattdag69]

I enjoyed both 😅😂. Vhs is the way to go.

[@RE1GN_BLOOD]

Favorite Disney movie ever.

[@ZZtheDark]

The Jabberwocky looks like it came out of Guyver.

[@vishalkalicharan7710]

How many of these old reviews do you have?!

[@lowinlofi]

The 1985 is the best version!!!

[@mrmerlin6287]

Yeah she turned into a goat (clearly a sheep).

[@Jwwwwwww300]

I was also traumatized by that scene in Alice in wonderland when I was a kid

[@AzzureSky]

Animated Alice is classic and Alice from 1985 was great, but Hallmark's Alice from 1999 was the best Alice imo.

[@Skepticaleo]

I still have nightmares about that damn dragon

[@crithon]

hot diggity, some nightmare fuel from the 80s!

[@foo219]

Why is it that my favourite character from the book always gets left out of every movie? Bah.

[@somegamer7958]

How do you not talk about the clams scene!? It's the most disturbing scene in movie history

[@jesseleesamples]

Love ya James, but that was a sheep, not a goat lol

[@multi-voiceentertainment7013]

Well if you read the original novel of Alice in Wonderland that did happen the book where Alice had to take care of a little baby but the baby transformed into a pig.

[@Dim4323]

That jabberwocky is still 10 times better then the Tim burton version. Oh 1999 adapation is better.

[@Stickers2Go]

So did this film all take place in Alice's head?

[@iansrife5107]

7:32 It's as big as a battleship...!

[@MFDOOMSDAa]

Animated version is a whole acid trip imo.

[@fahq]

Love

[@G1Grimlock94]

Based on story book

[@kanna231]

I've remember this Alice in Wonderland that has Whoopi Goldberg and Gene Wilder the 1999 one my mom made me watch it before.

[@PsychoBoy182]

Love that version

[@kanna231]

@@PsychoBoy182 that's what I do remember is that movie.

[@utrock5067]

With example of "Snow White" of 2023 - before it even was launched - you can safely say the very newest version would be trash to the core.

[@DanielMcLaughlinMarriedMan]

a sheep isnt a goat!!! 🐑🐑

[@rasterop1]

Thanks for bringing back childhood trauma

[@NathanHassall]

My dad gets more views cleaning his garage on youtube then these movie reviews are getting.

[@LaDracul]

The 1930s one is way more disturbing than the '85 one...but really, why leave on that cliffhanger?!

[@SylphidUndine]

i like the game Alice: Madness Returns.

[@Sirmaxwell86]

I preferre the 1999 TV Movie with Whoppie Goldberg as Cheshire Cat 😊

[@jstewlly4747]

I agree best adaption!!!!!!!!!!

[@BigGahmBoss]

Surprise twist ending: Sam Raimi did the Oz remake

[@HaakonAnderson]

Big Ryan Fan