1919
Grieving the loss of her brother, ten-year-old Elsie and her imaginative cousin Frances find solace in Cottingley Glen, where they believe fairies reside, a belief seemingly confirmed by photographs they take that capture the attention of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and the public. As the photographs spark a national debate between believers and skeptics, a cynical reporter, John Ferret, attempts to expose the girls as frauds, intensifying the scrutiny on their family. During a trip to London, Elsie falls ill and has a vision of Joseph, leading to a confrontation at Buckingham Palace where her mother, Polly, burns Ferret's evidence. Returning home, Polly finally packs Joseph's belongings and invites Elsie to move into his room, while Elsie and Frances summon the fairies one last time in the glen before Frances departs.
Save the Cat beat sheet
In a Yorkshire glen before World War I, sisters Elsie and Frances discover and photograph fairies, launching a community and spiritualist stir.
Open full beat sheetElsie Wright is listed as Protagonist. Ten-year-old girl, serious, sad eyes, daughter of Artie and Polly. In the parsed data, Elsie Wright is connected to 86 scenes, 83 dialogue lines, 85 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
86 scenes / 83 dialogue linesFrances Griffiths is listed as Protagonist. Eight-year-old cousin of Elsie, mischievous, imaginative, from South Africa. In the parsed data, Frances Griffiths is connected to 84 scenes, 124 dialogue lines, 127 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
84 scenes / 124 dialogue linesArtie Wright is listed as Supporting. Elsie's father, caretaker of Wiggins Manor, amateur photographer, hardworking. In the parsed data, Artie Wright is connected to 54 scenes, 39 dialogue lines, 40 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
54 scenes / 39 dialogue linesPolly Wright is listed as Supporting. Elsie's mother, grieving the loss of her son Joseph, wears black. In the parsed data, Polly Wright is connected to 53 scenes, 36 dialogue lines, 36 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
53 scenes / 36 dialogue linesE.L. Gardner is listed as Supporting. Theosophist, lecturer, promoter of the fairie photographs. In the parsed data, E.L. Gardner is connected to 21 scenes, 23 dialogue lines, 25 text mentions, first appearing around scene 24.
21 scenes / 23 dialogue linesSir Arthur Conan Doyle is listed as Supporting. Famous author, spiritualist, believer in the fairies. In the parsed data, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is connected to 21 scenes, 19 dialogue lines, 20 text mentions, first appearing around scene 45.
21 scenes / 19 dialogue linesJohn Ferret is listed as Antagonist. Cynical reporter looking for a scoop. In the parsed data, John Ferret is connected to 10 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 12 text mentions, first appearing around scene 24.
10 scenes / 12 dialogue linesLord Wiggins is listed as Antagonist. Stuffy aristocrat, owner of Wiggins Manor. In the parsed data, Lord Wiggins is connected to 10 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
10 scenes / 8 dialogue linesHarry Houdini is listed as Supporting. Famous magician, skeptic of spiritualism. In the parsed data, Harry Houdini is connected to 10 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 45.
10 scenes / 7 dialogue linesElsie plays in the glen, setting up a miniature tea party for fairies before being called home.
Elsie WrightPolly confronts Elsie about her whereabouts.
Elsie Wright, Polly WrightArtie photographs Lord Wiggins and his dogs.
Artie Wright, Lord WigginsArtie returns home to a tense atmosphere with Polly and Elsie.
Elsie Wright, Artie Wright, Polly WrightArtie plays with Elsie in the attic.
Elsie Wright, Artie WrightThe family eats dinner; Polly leaves the table upset.
Elsie Wright, Artie Wright, Polly WrightFrances interacts with soldiers on a train.
Frances GriffithsElsie and Artie meet Frances at the station.
Elsie Wright, Frances Griffiths, Artie WrightThe girls walk through the station.
Elsie Wright, Frances GriffithsThe group prepares to leave for Cottingley.
Elsie Wright, Frances Griffiths, Artie WrightThe girls read a flyer about fairies.
Elsie Wright, Frances GriffithsFrances is introduced to Polly.
Elsie Wright, Frances Griffiths, Artie Wright, Polly WrightElsie shows Frances to the attic.
Elsie Wright, Frances GriffithsFrances unpacks and admires the doll house.
Elsie Wright, Frances Griffiths, Artie WrightThe girls find a fairy ring and attempt to call the fairies.
Elsie Wright, Frances GriffithsThe girls discuss fairies at dinner.
Elsie Wright, Frances Griffiths, Artie Wright, Polly WrightFrances and Elsie discuss fairies at dinner, causing tension with Artie and Polly.
Elsie Wright, Frances Griffiths, Artie Wright, Polly WrightFrances and Polly discuss belief in fairies while Elsie eavesdrops.
Elsie Wright, Frances Griffiths, Polly WrightFrances is introduced to her new class and faces bullying.
Elsie Wright, Frances GriffithsElsie and Frances walk home and encounter the postman.
Elsie Wright, Frances GriffithsArtie shows Frances his camera while Elsie steals cake.
Elsie Wright, Frances Griffiths, Artie Wright, Polly WrightPolly watches the girls having a tea party with fairies.
Elsie Wright, Frances Griffiths, Artie Wright, Polly WrightArtie and Polly argue about Joseph and the fairies.
Artie Wright, Polly WrightGardner lectures on theosophy and fairies.
Polly Wright, E.L. Gardner, John FerretGardner speaks to Polly after the lecture.
Polly Wright, E.L. GardnerElsie discovers Frances in Joseph's room.
Elsie Wright, Frances GriffithsPolly returns home crying.
Artie Wright, Polly WrightThe girls listen to Artie and Polly arguing.
Elsie Wright, Frances Griffiths, Artie Wright, Polly WrightThe girls decide to take photos of the fairies for Polly.
Elsie Wright, Frances GriffithsArtie develops the photos and is shocked.
Artie WrightArtie confronts the girls.
Elsie Wright, Frances Griffiths, Artie WrightArtie questions the girls about the photos.
Elsie Wright, Frances Griffiths, Artie WrightFrances sneaks out.
Frances GriffithsFrances knocks on Polly's door.
Frances Griffiths, Polly WrightPolly finds Artie with the photos.
Artie Wright, Polly WrightPolly and Artie go to the attic.
Artie Wright, Polly WrightPolly shows the girls the photos.
Elsie Wright, Frances Griffiths, Polly WrightPolly gives the photos to Gardner.
Polly Wright, E.L. GardnerGardner is shocked by the photos.
E.L. GardnerFrances is bullied by Lizzy and Morgana.
Elsie Wright, Frances GriffithsSnelling examines the photos.
E.L. GardnerGardner sends the photos to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
E.L. GardnerThe girls swear a secret oath.
Elsie Wright, Frances GriffithsA seance is interrupted.
Sir Arthur Conan DoyleSir Arthur and Houdini examine the projector used in the fraudulent seance while other guests discuss spiritualism.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Harry Houdini, char_10, char_11Sir Arthur and Houdini discuss the fairy photographs and the future of spiritualism.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Harry HoudiniElsie and Frances arrive home to find a car parked outside.
Elsie Wright, Frances GriffithsMr. Gardner visits the Wrights to discuss the fairy photos and requests more.
Elsie Wright, Frances Griffiths, Polly Wright, E.L. GardnerGardner gifts the girls a new camera.
Elsie Wright, Frances Griffiths, Polly Wright, E.L. GardnerThe girls and Gardner go to the glen to take more photos.
Elsie Wright, Frances Griffiths, E.L. GardnerArtie sees Polly and heads toward the glen.
Artie Wright, Polly WrightThe girls show Gardner the fairy bower; Artie arrives and confronts Gardner.
Elsie Wright, Frances Griffiths, Artie Wright, E.L. GardnerExterior shot of the Kodak building.
Kodak technicians project the new fairy photos.
Kodak denies the request for a certificate of authenticity.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, E.L. Gardner, char_12, char_13Sir Arthur writes while looking at the photos.
Sir Arthur Conan DoyleThe Strand Magazine featuring the fairy photos is released.
Soldiers react to the fairy photos in the magazine.
Little girls play and pretend to be Elsie and Frances.
Lord Wiggins sees the article in his car.
Lord WigginsJohn Ferret sees the article and plans to investigate.
John FerretThe girls are teased by classmates.
Elsie Wright, Frances GriffithsArtie picks up the girls in a panic.
Elsie Wright, Frances Griffiths, Artie WrightArtie tries to keep the crowd away from the house.
Elsie Wright, Frances Griffiths, Artie Wright, John FerretArtie and Polly argue about the situation.
Elsie Wright, Frances Griffiths, Artie Wright, Polly WrightThe girls discuss the situation.
Elsie Wright, Frances GriffithsThe girls wake up to a crowd outside.
Elsie Wright, Frances GriffithsThe girls run downstairs.
Elsie Wright, Frances Griffiths, Artie WrightA crowd tramples the glen.
Elsie Wright, Frances GriffithsWiggins hunts pheasant.
Lord WigginsWiggins clears the crowd with his shotgun; Artie confronts him.
Elsie Wright, Frances Griffiths, Artie Wright, Lord WigginsPolly is interviewed by a reporter; Artie returns and kicks him out.
Elsie Wright, Frances Griffiths, Artie Wright, Polly Wright, char_14Artie and Polly argue about their deceased son, leading to a confrontation with Elsie.
Artie Wright, Polly Wright, Elsie Wright, Frances GriffithsElsie and Frances retreat to the attic.
Elsie Wright, Frances GriffithsElsie enters Joseph's room and is confronted by a grieving Polly.
Elsie Wright, Polly WrightFrances watches Elsie run toward the glen.
Frances GriffithsFrances saves Elsie from a fairie ring.
Frances Griffiths, Elsie WrightSir Arthur, Gardner, and Houdini discuss the fairie photos.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, E.L. Gardner, Harry HoudiniThe girls decide to build an offering for the fairies.
Elsie Wright, Frances GriffithsThe girls build the doll house.
Elsie Wright, Frances GriffithsTheosophists believe that all things are possessed of a guiding spirit. Humans have angels; forests have gnomes; and just ask any child who it is that tends our gardens -- they'll answer quite correctly... fairies. What a pity that we as adults all too often discourage the natural perceptions of our young.
Yes, yes...this isn't a social call. This fairie business reeks of scandal, Mr. Wright. The reporter you so publicly thrashed has gone so far as to imply that I am at the core of your childish hoax. To gain entrance into parliament no less. I'm sorry, I cannot allow it...
Actually, I was born in England. We moved to South Africa when I was five. My daddy's a gold miner. And just for your information, Potsy, South Africa is a British dominion. Lots of people there sound English.
Well, the possibility still exists that a clever operator of consummate skill might have made them artificially. Therefore, I regret that Kodak must deny your request for a certificate of authenticity.
Sir Henry, where are you? Syd-ney, we have cake. Hannah, Little Tora, you can come out now... Princess Rebecca... William Travis... Captain James? Mr. Bandylegs? Dorothy?
Credibility. You go and write a definitive article about fairies being real, yet you admit to never having seen one yourself. You've never even met those girls.
You don't think I cry every time I pass his room? Every time there's a cricket match in town or I hear a trumpet play...? Some don't need tears to cry, Polly.
Cambridge physicist, Sir Oliver Lodge...astronomer, Camille Flammarion...clairvoyant, Geoffrey Hodson, and of course, noted theosophist, E.L. Gardner.
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