Due to its huge popularity, J.M. Barrie’s most famous work has had several film adaptations.
The first version dates back to 1924, when Peter Pan’s role was played by actress Betty Bronson in this silent movie.
Probably, the most popular adaptation is Disney’s Peter Pan (1953). This animated movie is quite a good version Barrie's original work and it is full of adventure. Disney’s Peter Pan has established itself as the image many children recall when referring to the boy who wouldn't grow up thanks to its ability to capture both children and adults in its colourful world. A classic that makes you meet the child within.
Another animated version is Peter Pan and the Pirates (1990), a TV series following the adventures of Peter, Tinkerbell, the Darlings and the Lost Boys in Neverland, always threatened by the dreadful Captain Hook.
In 1991, director Steven Spielberg released his own version of the story, now moving forwards in time to an adult Peter Pan who had to return to Neverland to save his own children, kidnapped by his evil foe. Even though it is a sequel, Hook captures the essence of Peter Pan and offers viewers a thrilling adventure for the whole family. Impressing sets, a wonderful score composed by John Williams and the acting of Robin Williams, Julia Roberts, Bob Hoskins and brilliant Dustin Hoffman make this movie worth seeing.
Almost fifty years after the first part, Disney went on with a sequel for their animated version of Barrie’s character entitled Return to Neverland in 2002. The story now focused on Wendy’s daughter, Jane, who was taken to Neverland by Captain Hook as his revenge on Peter Pan. There, she was rescued by Peter, lived a few adventures and, what is more important, she learned to believe in magic.
A year later, a new version simply called Peter Pan was released. Directed by Australian filmmaker P.J. Hogan, it did not add much more than Disney’s first animated version, since both are quite respectful with the original upon which they are based. Anyhow, it was a truly entertaining movie with a beautiful soundtrack by James Newton Howard and a scary Captain Hook played by Jason Isaacs.
To finish with, we should not forget Marc Forster’s Finding Neverland. Released in 2004, this astonishing film tells us the story of how J.M.Barrie created Peter Pan out of his experiences with the Llewelyn Davies children. Spectacular movie with an impressing cast formed by Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Julie Christie and Dustin Hoffman (in his second approach to Peter Pan’s world).
What will be the next one?
