Dreamchild

Dreamchild

Company type	Film
Industry	Film industry
Founded	1985
Founder	Dennis Potter (screenwriter), Gavin Millar (director), Rick McCallum (producer), Kenith Trodd (producer)
Key people	Dennis Potter, Gavin Millar, Rick McCallum, Kenith Trodd, Verity Lambert (executive producer)
Products	Drama film

Dreamchild is a British drama film from 1985, scripted by Dennis Potter, directed by Gavin Millar, and produced by Rick McCallum alongside Kenith Trodd. Featuring performances by Coral Browne, Ian Holm, Peter Gallagher, Nicola Cowper, and Amelia Shankley, the movie offers a fictionalized portrayal of Alice Liddell—the real-life muse behind Lewis Carroll's 1865 classic Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

The storyline centers on an elderly Alice (Mrs. Hargreaves) journeying from England to the United States to accept an honorary degree from Columbia University in honor of Carroll’s centenary. Combining elements of biography with surreal dreamlike scenes, the film depicts Alice revisiting her memories of Reverend Charles Dodgson (portrayed by Holm) during Victorian Oxford, while also depicting her current experience amid the Great Depression-era New York. Accompanied by a young orphan named Lucy (Cowper), Alice confronts both media intrusion and commercial exploitation as she comes to terms with her intricate history involving Dodgson, an Oxford academic.

Plot

The narrative begins with the elderly widow Alice Hargreaves, formerly known as Alice Liddell, arriving in America accompanied by her caretaker Lucy. They immediately face intense press interest eager to uncover details about her connection with Dodgson ("Mr. Dodgson"). Jack Dolan, a former journalist, steps in to assist them and eventually becomes Alice’s representative, arranging endorsement opportunities. Meanwhile, a romantic relationship blossoms between Jack and Lucy.

In private moments, Alice experiences hallucinations featuring Dodgson and characters from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, who taunt her about her aging and memory lapses. She reminisces about the 1862 boat outing where Dodgson first narrated his famous tale. Flashbacks imply that Dodgson’s affection might have contained sexual undertones; Alice contemplates their relationship, including Dodgson's jealousy regarding her future spouse and her own teasing of his speech impediment.

By the time she delivers her acceptance address at Columbia, Alice attains a sense of reconciliation with Dodgson. The concluding fantasy sequence depicts a mutual forgiveness between them, symbolizing emotional closure.

Live action

• Coral Browne – Alice Hargreaves
• Peter Gallagher – Jack Dolan
• Ian Holm – Reverend Charles L. Dodgson (Lewis Carroll)
• Jane Asher – Mrs. Liddell
• Nicola Cowper – Lucy
• Caris Corfman – Sally
• Amelia Shankley – Young Alice
• Shane Rimmer – Mr. Marl
• Imogen Boorman – Lorina

Voice cast

• Alan Bennett – Mock Turtle
• Ken Campbell – March Hare
• Tony Haygarth – Mad Hatter
• Fulton Mackay – Gryphon
• Frank Middlemass – Caterpillar
• Julie Walters – Dormouse

Puppeteers

• Big Mick – Mad Hatter
• Ron Mueck – Gryphon
• Karen Prell – Dormouse
• Michael Sundin – March Hare
• Steve Whitmire – Caterpillar, Mock Turtle

Production

Dennis Potter had initially adapted the narrative for the BBC’s The Wednesday Play in 1965 under the title Alice. He later expanded this script into Dreamchild, drawing inspiration from Alice's genuine journey to New York to accept an honorary degree. Following challenging experiences with projects like Pennies from Heaven and Gorky Park, Potter took charge of producing the film via his own company, acting as executive producer and collaborating closely with the producer and director from his acclaimed television work Cream in My Coffee.

This film was among several projects approved by Verity Lambert at EMI Films, alongside productions such as Slayground, Morons from Outer Space, and Comfort and Joy. Although it did not secure American funding, Universal retained first refusal rights for distribution.

Potter characterized the film as "dangerously close to an art film," yet he deliberately avoided creating a piece that was solely aimed at children or nostalgic adults. He highlighted the complexity of Dodgson’s personality, firmly stating there was no inappropriate interaction with Alice while recognizing a post-Freudian interpretation of Dodgson’s repressed sexual desires.

Filming

The makeup and creature effects were crafted by Jim Henson's Creature Shop, which developed six intricately detailed, grotesque creatures faithful to the book’s original descriptions. The Gryphon and the melancholic Mock Turtle are depicted along rocky coastlines, while the March Hare, featuring broken yellowish teeth and grimy whiskers, is shown chewing continuously even while speaking. This character, along with the Mad Hatter, Dormouse, and Caterpillar, engage with Alice on equal footing. The puppets were inspired by original Tenniel illustrations but interpreted with a darker aesthetic. Choreography and puppet movement were overseen by American actress and choreographer Gates McFadden, who did not receive full credit due to visa complications.

The Chinese costume segment portraying Dodgson photographing Alice at Oxford draws directly from actual photographs he took of her and her sisters; Dodgson was a pioneer in early portrait photography techniques.

Elements of 1930s popular entertainment influenced by Dennis Potter are woven into the film: for instance, "I Only Have Eyes for You" is performed during a tea dance at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, while Mrs. Hargreaves appears in a radio station scene featuring a crooner singing "Confessin'".

Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression in 1932, the story presents Alice at eighty years old, two years prior to her death.

Post-production

Director Gavin Millar revealed that producer Verity Lambert opposed casting Nigel Hawthorne as the dean, who is portrayed as Alice's father, and actively sought to minimize his screen presence during editing. Ultimately, Hawthorne’s part was completely removed. The musical score was composed by Stanley Myers.

Release

Due to difficulties with distribution, the film experienced a very limited release primarily within select 'art house' cinemas. In the UK, it was shown briefly at a single London venue. Legal conflicts involving the production company, distributors, and cinema chains contributed to the film nearly vanishing from public availability.

Lead actress Browne personally promoted the movie in London, including an appearance on Wogan and placing an advertisement in Variety seeking Oscar recognition at her own cost.

Although exposure was restricted, the film earned spots on numerous critics’ top ten lists and had grossed $490,690 by 1986. EMI covered print and advertising expenses to facilitate Universal’s distribution release.

Critical response

The movie garnered positive acclaim, particularly from critic Pauline Kael, who lauded the acting. She emphasized Coral Browne's performance as Mrs. Hargreaves, noting a newly discovered nuance and emotional richness. Kael also praised Amelia Shankley for her portrayal of Alice, describing her as "bright" and "poised," with dialogue that captured a poignant innocence. Ian Holm’s interpretation of Dodgson was recognized for its subtle yet compelling expression of the character’s self-awareness and restraint.

In The Village Voice, Andrew Sarris referred to the film as "the Film That Got Away," appreciating its development toward a meaningful revelation while steering clear of simplistic irony. He highlighted the central theme of love and art serving as redemptive powers amid darker circumstances.

On the other hand, Lewis Carroll expert Edward Wakeling criticized aspects of the script’s underlying themes and historical fidelity. While he acknowledged the film’s "visually stunning" quality and strong acting, he objected to its suggestion of Dodgson’s affection for 10-year-old Liddell, labeling this portrayal as "tainted by impropriety" and unsupported by facts. Wakeling expressed disappointment over the creative liberties taken that altered historical truth.

Writing in 2014 for Sight & Sound, Philip Horne remarked that although Dreamchild remains relatively obscure, it "continues to be a film worth championing."

Producer Verity Lambert regarded it as one of her most significant achievements during her work at EMI. In 2012, producers Ron Bloom and Gene Kirkwood secured the script rights and showed interest in creating a new adaptation.

Awards

At the Evening Standard British Film Awards, Coral Browne received Best Actress honors, while Amelia Shankley earned Best Actress at the 1986 Paris Film Festival for her role as young Alice.