FairyTale: A True Story is a 1997 film directed by Charles Sturridge, based on the true story of two young girls who claimed to have photographed fairies in Cottingley, England in 1917. The film stars Florence Hoath and Elizabeth Earl as Elsie Wright and Frances Griffiths, the two girls who took the famous photographs.
The story begins during World War I, when Elsie and Frances are left behind in England while their families head for the countryside. Elsie and Frances are fascinated by the idea of fairies and decide to create their own photos of the fairies. When they show the photos to Elsie's father, a famous author and occultist, he takes an interest in their work and shows the photos to his friend Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Doyle becomes convinced that the photos are genuine, and he publicizes them in his writings. This leads to a media circus and a heated debate about the existence of fairies. As the frenzy grows, Elsie and Frances struggle with the pressure of their newfound fame and the fear of being exposed as frauds.
Meanwhile, a skeptical reporter named John Ferret (played by Paul McGann) is determined to prove that the photos are fake. He investigates the girls' story and reveals some surprising facts about their lives and the circumstances surrounding the photographs.
In the end, the truth about the fairy photos is revealed, but not without some unexpected twists and turns along the way. FairyTale: A True Story is a heartwarming and thought-provoking film that explores the power of imagination and the mysteries of belief.