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Entertainment • Film

Ever After

Ever After, promoted as Ever After: A Cinderella Story, is a 1998 American romantic period drama film directed by Andy Tennant.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Ever After, promoted as Ever After: A Cinderella Story, is a 1998 American romantic period drama film directed by Andy Tennant. It is a retelling of the Cinderella fairy tale, set in 16th-century France, starring Drew Barrymore as Danielle and Anjelica Huston as her stepmother. The film also features Dougray Scott and Jeanne Moreau in supporting roles.

Plot

The film follows Danielle, whose father dies after remarrying, leaving her under the control of a cruel stepmother. She later meets Prince Henry, and the story develops as a romantic retelling of the Cinderella legend.

Cast and characters

Drew Barrymore stars as Danielle, with Anjelica Huston as Rodmilla and Dougray Scott as Prince Henry. Jeanne Moreau appears in a supporting role, and the cast also includes Megan Dodds, Melanie Lynskey, and Patrick Godfrey.

Production

Andy Tennant directed the film from his own screenplay, which he co-wrote with Susannah Grant and Rick Parks. The production drew on Charles Perrault's 1697 Cinderella tale as its main source of inspiration.

Release and reception

Ever After was released in 1998 and later became known for its grounded, feminist approach to the Cinderella story. It has been widely described as a notable non-animated adaptation of the fairy tale.

Key facts

  • The film is a live-action reinterpretation of the Cinderella story set in 16th-century France.
  • Drew Barrymore plays Danielle, while Anjelica Huston plays Rodmilla.
  • Andy Tennant directed the film and co-wrote the screenplay with Susannah Grant and Rick Parks.
  • The film was co-produced by Fox Family Films and Mireille Soria Production.
  • It was released in 1998 with a running time of 121 minutes.

Frequently asked questions

What is Ever After?
Ever After is a 1998 American romantic period drama film that retells the Cinderella story in a historical setting.
Who directed Ever After?
Andy Tennant directed the film.
Who stars in Ever After?
The film stars Drew Barrymore, Anjelica Huston, Dougray Scott, and Jeanne Moreau.
What fairy tale is Ever After based on?
It is inspired by Charles Perrault's Cinderella fairy tale.
When was Ever After released?
It was released in 1998.
What is the setting of Ever After?
The story is set in 16th-century France.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ever_After
    Supports: Title, promotional title, release year, country, director, screenplay credits, inspiration, and principal cast.
  2. IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120631/
    Supports: Plot summary, setting, and cast details.
  3. RogerEbert.comhttps://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/ever-after-1998
    Supports: Setting in 16th-century Europe, director credit, and adaptation framing.
  4. FilmAffinityhttps://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film130724.html
    Supports: Running time, director, genre, release year, and cast.
  5. Turner Classic Movieshttps://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/441260/ever-after-a-cinderella-story
    Supports: Premise, release timing, and fairy-tale retelling description.