| Faeries | |
| Director: | Lee Mishkin |
| Starring: | Hans Conried Craig Schaefer Morgan Brittany Frank Welker Bob Arbogast June Foray Linda Gary Mel Welles |
| Music: | Bobby Bennett |
| Editing: | Peter Aries |
| Studio: | Tomorrow Entertainment[1] |
| Distributor: | Pyramid Films[2] |
| Runtime: | 25 minutes |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | English |
Faeries is a 1981 animated television special that appeared on CBS in the United States. It is based on the 1978 book Faeries, described and illustrated by Brian Froud and Alan Lee.[3] The special was directed by Lee Mishkin with animation direction by Fred Hellmich, executive produced by Thomas W. Moore, Anne Upson and Jean Moore Edwards,[4] and was designed by Alan Aldridge.[1] The special first aired on CBS on February 25, 1981.[5]
A young man, Oisin (pronounced "O-sheen"), is returning home with a group of huntsmen from an unsuccessful hunt when a deer appears before him and reveals herself to be Niamh (pronounced "Nee-am" and "Nee’uv"), a faerie princess. She takes him to her father, the Faerie King, whose shadow has come to life and now threatens Faerie Land. The King begs Oisin to travel to Squalor Web Castle and defeat the evil Shadow.
Oisin and his faerie helper Puck travel to the castle, encountering hags, goblins, merrows and other faerie creatures. They also save a kobold from being eaten by evil trows. Eventually the three arrive at the lake, beyond which sits the castle. After meeting an Irish faerie who attempts to dissuade them from their mission, they arrive at the castle. Avoiding redcaps, the Shadow's evil soldiers, Oisin makes his way to the tallest tower, defeats the Shadow, and joins a celebration in Faerie Land before returning to his human companions.
Family Home Entertainment released the special on VHS and Betamax in the 1980s.
Henson Associates were the merchandising agents for Faeries.[6]
Faeries was nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards in 1981:[7]