Standing on his column high above the great city, the statue of THE HAPPY PRINCE can see the misery & despair of the people below him. He persuades a friendly Swallow to become his messenger in valiant efforts to alleviate the suffering of the poor.
This is a very fine animated version of Oscar Wilde's classic tale. The drawing is often imaginative, but never gets in the way of the story.
Much of the credit for the success of this film must go to Christopher Plummer, who both narrates & gives voice to the Happy Prince; and to Glynis Johns, who supplies exuberant life to the Swallow. Both performers are excellent.
The producers, thankfully, do not shy away from the religious sentiment at the end of the story. To have done so would have robbed the film of much of its charm & authenticity. Wilde himself never shied away from piety in his writings when it could be used to good effect. Indeed, he had a great respect for Christian virtues, as long as they did not affect his private life.
This is a very fine animated version of Oscar Wilde's classic tale. The drawing is often imaginative, but never gets in the way of the story.
Much of the credit for the success of this film must go to Christopher Plummer, who both narrates & gives voice to the Happy Prince; and to Glynis Johns, who supplies exuberant life to the Swallow. Both performers are excellent.
The producers, thankfully, do not shy away from the religious sentiment at the end of the story. To have done so would have robbed the film of much of its charm & authenticity. Wilde himself never shied away from piety in his writings when it could be used to good effect. Indeed, he had a great respect for Christian virtues, as long as they did not affect his private life.