First and foremost, let's get it out of the way - yes, the acting is cheesy, and yes the writing (both script and songs) are pretty simplistic and expository. I do not argue that whatsoever.Having said that, I was two when this came out, but I guess my parents thought it would be something I would enjoy as I got older so they recorded it on the VCR for me. I watched this so many times that I wore out the tape. I was sad when Through the Looking Glass was no longer watchable, I was devastated when the first part became unusable. I forgot about it as I grew up and in the last few years, as I approached 30, I started looking around for it and found it on YouTube, of all places! I re-watched it and while doing so, took another look at the cast list.I remember recognizing a few people when I was a kid, like Ringo and Sammy Davis Jr., but as an adult I was stunned when I realized that this movie is like a time capsule for not just some of the most famous actors and actresses over the prior fifty years, but also was a kind of introduction for many actors/actresses, as well! If you can put aside your need for a "good" adaptation (and come on, it's a kids story, kid's movie, and shouldn't be all glossed and glammed up with dialogue that is all but too clever and witty, settings overwhelmingly absurd and surreal like Tim Burton's newest adaptation (which I'm sorry, but I believe was an absolute mockery of Lewis Carroll's beautiful books).The point of this movie is to get across the lessons of Alice in Wonderland/Through the Looking Glass - growing up, facing one's fears, and having confidence! This does precisely that, and for that I give it a 9 out of 10.

I saw this movie years ago with my then 5 year old and we loved it. I thought Natalie Gregory was wonderful as Alice. Usually Alice is played by girls who appear to be about 16 years old. Alice is supposed to be 7 and Natalie Gregory was 9 when this was filmed. The movie is in two parts with the second called "Alice Through the Looking Glass" The supporting cast includes many old time actors such as Carol Channing, Steve Allen, Jayne Meadows, Ann Jillian, Martha Raye, Imogene Coca and more. It was a delight just to see them again. They were all marvelous in their roles, especially Ann Jillian as the Red Queen. I've always liked her in anything she's done. The movie did veer from the book in several areas but most movies do. Most of the songs were good but one or two kind of dragged. However it really did not take away from the enjoyment of the movie. I loved the costumes.Overall this is a fun movie to watch and a wonderful adaptation of the classic story. I highly recommend it.

Irwin Allen presents "Alice in Wonderland"--and it's another disaster movie, although not as intended. With gloomy songs by Steve Allen and a redundant teleplay by Paul Zindel, this "Alice" is about as far removed from Lewis Carroll's fantasy as one can imagine. Zindel reduces Alice's adventures down to elemental deductions (the viewer is told exactly what is happening when we can see for ourselves), and Carroll was anything but elementary. In the lead role, young Natalie Gregory chatters away to herself, berating her own behavior, but playing the role constantly on the verge of tears (and always with a disgusted look on her face); she finds all the magically nonsensical characters shockingly rude, suddenly doing an about-face when she spots the Mad Tea Party and exclaims, "Oh goody!" Alice follows the White Rabbit down a thunder-and-lightning enhanced cavern two minutes into the production, and three minutes later is already whining about wanting to go home. Irwin Allen happily filled the many eccentric roles with most of his Hollywood pals, but the cronyism doesn't pay off: everyone looks terribly aged and fatigued. They also appear to have been over-rehearsed, and nobody's actions are spontaneous or exciting. Even Alice's cat Dinah looks non-plussed. The whole production, probably expensive for its time (and for TV), is like canned magic, with a set designer who went crazy with the shrubbery and the stepping stones. Most likely, Irwin Allen meant this to be a treat, but the star-cameos come off like vaudeville turns and Natalie Gregory is childish without being child-like. What happened to all the wonderment?

I love this movie!!! I can remember watching it over and over and over again when I was little. My aunt taped it for me when it was on TV in 1985. If you can believe it, I still have the tape! I could hardly believe it when I saw it on DVD. I watched it again and still loved it. All the songs are still with me. It just proves that it is a timeless story and a very cute movie. I hope that one day my children will enjoy this same movie. It is full of all sorts of famous people and the costumes are wonderful. Keep in mind that this came out in the 80's. If you like "The Never Ending Story" 1984 or "Labyrinth"1986, you should give it a try. It is the closest to the book that I have seen. I also like that it has two parts just like the book. I hated the Disney version and thought this was far better. The little girl was the best Alice I have seen yet.