Two years before he became famous with “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,” Tim Burton directed a bizarre and subversive version of “Hansel and Gretel” for the Disney Channel.
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It was only aired once, in 1983, and then wasn’t seen again for 26 years.
Burton’s version of the Brothers’ Grimm scary-tale features a Japanese-American cast and haunting set work done inside a seemingly barren studio. In fact, take was so non-traditional that the Disney Channel had Vincent Price introduce the show and reassure parents that it was appropriate for children.
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Anyone who didn’t see it that night in the early 80’s really missed out, as it was never aired again. It took until 2009 for MoMA to show it at an exhibit dedicated to Burton, and now, it’s finally made its way to YouTube.