They’re a concept artist’s dream and an actor’s biggest challenge. Any film that involves mythical characters automatically becomes a hundred times cooler, and a thousand times more creative.
Here’s a brief rundown of our cinematic top five.
1. Tinkerbell, Hook
There are a few representations of this iconic fairy to choose from, but Julia Roberts’ portrayal has to be our favourite. With her ginger pixie cut and cold-shoulder attitude, Roberts gives the usually boisterous Tink a grown-up makeover in Steven Spielberg’s 1991 Peter Pan prequel.
What makes this fairy great is her relatability. Yes, she’s a mythical character of tiny proportions who can fly, but she’s also someone who has fallen victim to a bad case of unrequited love. Once again Roberts tugs at our heartstrings, proving that she’s just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.
2. Hagrid, Harry Potter
While he may only be a half-giant, what’s interesting about Hagrid is all the work that went into creating him behind the scenes. You’d be forgiven for thinking J.K.’s biggest creation was brought to life using computer wizardry – instead, clever camera angles and prosthetics made this man a mythical beast.
Warner Bros hired Martin Bayfield, a 6ft10 rugby player to play Robbie Coltrane’s size double. Wearing stilts in his shoes, a padded bodysuit and an enormous animatronic head that was a scale replica of Coltrane’s face, he stood at a giant-like 7ft6 in total. Warner Bros. Studio Tour currently has that gigantic head on display, so go see it if you want to be simultaneously grossed out and impressed.
3. Madison, Splash!
More than a manic pixie dream girl, Daryl Hannah’s heroine Madison is our film mermaid of choice. Working hard to overcome disadvantages such as her inability to speak and her naivety of the human word, Madison shows us that joy and beauty can be found in the most unlikely of places.
In recent years, feminist readings of Splash! have found new layers of meaning within Madison’s story. She is rarely a damsel in distress, instead rescuing hapless Tom Hanks multiple times. Her experience of the human world could be seen as a comment on the complex relationship between American, capitalism and femininity. Significantly, she doesn’t give up her world to be with her man. No offense, Ariel.
4. Toothless, How to Train Your Dragon
So many dragons to choose from, so little time. We’ve picked Toothless for a number of reasons – the first being that he’s the ultimate good guy. Best friend of humans and dragons alike, his intelligence and creativity makes him a joy to watch on-screen.
Also, if you spotted any similarities between Toothless and Stitch from Disney’s Lilo and Stitch, you’d be thinking along the right track. Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois were the creative team responsible for both films, and naturally took inspiration from their back catalogue. Adorable.
5. Jareth the Goblin King, Labyrinth
OK, so technically he’s not a goblin, but he’s not completely human either – and David Bowie belongs on most favourite lists anyway in our opinion. A cult favourite, Bowie’s entrancing portrayal of Jareth may not have been enough to make Labyrinth a box office success, but time has made him a cultural icon.
Both Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights and Rochester from Jane Eyre inspired the character – and the film’s concept designer based his eccentric appearance on Marlon Brando and Grimm’s fairytales. Oh Jareth. How you turn our world, you precious thing.
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Originally published February 25, 2016. Updated November 12, 2018.
