“All children, except one, grow up.” J.M. Barrie changed the literary world forever when he created Peter Pan, Captain Hook, Wendy Darling, and the magical world of Neverland. From stage shows to movies, novels to television series, Peter and his companions continue to occupy our imaginations 119 years after Peter Pan first debuted in London in 1904. Let’s take a look at some of the very best adaptations of our favorite Lost Boy!
Peter Pan (1955), Directed by Clark Jones
The classic. For most Pan fans, Mary Martin will forever live on as the boy who wouldn’t grow up. She started the long tradition of petite, female performers with a pixie cut stepping into Peter’s shoes—or flight wires, as the case may be.
According to IMDb, this telecast from 1955 is “the first Broadway musical adapted to TV with the entire cast and crew intact.” As Cyril Ritchard (Captain Hook) said: “It was not just a TV performance, it was a stage production brought to the cameras.” And what a stage production it is. Actors move through the elaborate sets with the ease of real-life, and the songs are some of Broadway’s most memorable, brought right into viewers’ homes.
Peter Pan (2003), Directed by P.J. Hogan
The definitive live-action adaptation—which turned 20 this month! An incredible soundtrack by James Newton Howard, special effects that have aged well, and excellent costumes bring Barrie’s imagination to life in near-perfect form in this movie. Jeremy Sumpter stars as Peter, and he gives the role the ideal mix of energy, charm, and vulnerability that fans expect of the character. Jason Isaacs is the terrifying yet sometimes sympathetic Captain Hook, and doubles as Mr. Darling, as per Peter Pan tradition.
The film is made even better by the voiceover narration, which features phrases lifted directly from J.M. Barrie’s original novel. Add Coldplay’s “Clocks”—which was featured in the trailer for the movie—into the mix, and you’ll be crowing, “I do believe in fairies! I do! I do!” right along with the characters.
Finding Neverland (2004), Directed by Marc Forster
The look “behind the curtain” at Barrie’s masterpiece. Finding Neverland tells the story of Barrie’s friendship with the family that inspired him to write Peter Pan. Featuring Johnny Depp as Barrie himself, Kate Winslet as Sylvia Llewelyn Davies, and a young Freddie Highmore as the real Peter, this film is emotional, heart-wrenching, and uplifting all at once. It’s the perfect watch for die-hard Pan fans.
Neverland (2011), Directed by Nick Willing
His name is Peter. His parents are dead. His antagonist is played by Rhys Ifans. Does anyone else see the Spider-Man connection, or is it just me?
Neverland is a two-part mini series from the Syfy channel starring Charlie Rowe. Rowe’s Peter is a young orphan on the streets of London mentored by Jimmy Hook (Ifans), a con man and an old friend of Peter’s parents. Jimmy asks Peter and his crew of soon-to-be Lost Boys to help him steal a magical orb that transports the user to Neverland. But when the Londoners do make it to Neverland, things start to get crazy—and dangerous. Neverland is an excellent prequel to the Peter Pan story. It combines magic and science to offer a thorough, realistic explanation for why Neverland’s inhabitants never age. The build-up to Jimmy and Peter’s inevitable falling out is tense. When the final moment comes, you feel the weight of that betrayal right alongside Peter.
Peter and the Starcatcher (2012), Directed by Roger Rees and Alex Timbers
Another prequel—but this one is downright hilarious. Based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, this Broadway play had a little over 300 performances. Its Tony arsenal, however, more than makes up for its short run. At the 2012 ceremony, it took home 5 of its 9 nominations, including that of Featured Actor in a Play for Christian Borle. Borle plays Black Stache, the villainous pirate who ultimately transforms into Captain Hook. There isn’t much I can say about this one without spoiling its genius and absolute comedy. (If it ever comes your way regionally, I highly recommend seeing it!) So I’ll leave you with just one quote: “Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God.”
