Ella Enchanted is an award-winning book written by Gail Carson Levine and published in 1997. The book was the basis for the American film of the same name released April 9, 2004 directed by Tommy O'Haver and starring Anne Hathaway and Hugh Dancy. The movie is a modern remake of the story of Cinderella but adds plot twists and additional mystical creatures (including elves, ogres, and giants).

Plot outline (movie)

Shortly after her birth, Ella (Hathaway) is granted the "gift" of obedience by a fairy named Lucinda (Vivica A. Fox). She now is forced to obey anything and everything anybody tells her to do. Several years later, Ella's mother passes away, and she is left with her father who, in need of money, remarries a wealthy socialite. His snobbish new wife and her two spoiled daughters treat Ella poorly. The oldest daughter soon figures out Ella's "gift" and takes advantage of it. Ella cannot bear to live under the obedience spell any longer and sets out to find Lucinda in hopes of getting her to remove the spell.

Ella soon runs into trouble with a group of ogres but is rescued by Prince Charmont (Dancy), the heir to the kingdom of Frell. Ella and the Prince go to his palace so Ella may search the Hall of Records for Lucinda and the Prince may attend his coronation. On the trip back, Ella and Prince Charmont fall in love.

At the palace, Ella's "gift" is soon brought to the attention of King Edgar (Cary Elwes), the Prince's uncle, by Ella's stepsisters. Edgar assumed the throne after the death of the Prince's father, whom Edgar had secretly killed. He does not wish to relinquish the throne to Prince Charmont, so he orders Ella to stab the Prince when they are alone and also orders her not to tell anyone of his plan. With no help from Lucinda, Ella must figure out a way out of her curse and to save the Prince from his uncle's treachery.

Music

• the Soundtrack album

External links