James und der Riesenpfirsich

From Henry Selick

With Paul Terry, Simon Callow, Richard Dreyfuss, Jane Leeves, Joanna Lumley u.a.

Year 1996

Duration 79 min.

Language English

Part of the special series LICHTSPIELE

James is an orphan who lives with his cruel aunts Sponge and Spiker. His bleak life changes when he receives magical green crystals from a mysterious man. These take effect when James accidentally spills them near a peach tree. A single peach grows to gigantic size, and James discovers a secret world of larger-than-life talking insects inside: a grasshopper, a ladybug, a spider, an earthworm, a glowworm and a millipede.

Together they climb aboard the giant peach, which breaks free and sets off on an adventurous journey. They drift across the sea, escape sharks, fly with seagulls and finally make a spectacular landing in New York City. There they are celebrated, and James finally finds friends and a new home.

JAMES AND THE GIANT PEAK combines stop-motion animation and live-action film in a unique way. The story fascinates with its imaginative portrayal of friendship, courage and overcoming fears. In addition, the dark, fairytale-like atmosphere lends Roald Dahl's work a very special depth.

The LICHTSPIELE take place as part of the WIENXTRA children's active program.