In 1917, Frances Griffiths arrives in Yorkshire to stay with her uncle Arthur Wright (Paul McGann), his wife, Polly, and daughter Elsie. Elsie and Frances assert that they have seen fairies while playing in the garden, and produce photographs of them which are authenticated by an expert. The pictures attract the attention of author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Peter O'Toole), who believes them to be genuine, and escapologist Harry Houdini (Harvey Keitel), who is sceptical. Before long, journalist John Ferret (Tim McInnerny) is investigating the girls' photographs, determined to prove that they are fakes.