'Jonah and the Whale' is one of Rabbit Ears Productions' nine The Great Stories Ever Told adaptations, based on stories from the bible. 'Jonah and the Whale' was one of the stories from the Bible that always stuck in my mind the most for some reason, one of the reasons perhaps being the messaging is very valuable and is still relevant today. Absolutely love Rabbit Ears Productions' series of childrens literature adaptations so had no doubt that they would have done a good job with this story.
Rabbit Ears Productions did not disappoint in this regard, actually consider 'Jonah and the Whale' among the best of their The Greatest Stories Ever Told adaptations. If not quite one of their best overall (they also had their Storybook Classics, American Heroes and Legends, Tales from Around the World and Holiday Classics series, and there were several gems in all of those as well). If anybody wants a story from the Bible told accessibly but with full impact, 'Jonah and the Whale' is a good place to look.
One thing that really stood out here in 'Jonah and the Whale' was the visual style. Which is incredibly striking and like looking at meticulously crafted oil paintings or book illustrations with an oil painted look. The character design for Jonah is commanding and noble-looking while suitably haunted in the early parts. Rabbit Ears Productions often scored well when it came to their choice of music, and George Mgrdichian's music is both haunting and oddly hypnotic.
While not one of my favourite narrators for any of the company's series (another aspect Rabbit Ears Productions consistently excelled in), Jason Robards does provide a reading of the story that invites children to stop what they're doing and come and listen further. It helps too that the writing is of the intelligent and sincere kind, the very valuable messaging making its point but not heavy-handedly so.
The storytelling was simple and approachable, while not being too simple. It was mature but never too scary, even the still formidable whale. Appreciated its faithfulness too without it being over-stuffed or too wordy. Jonah is a compelling character not hard to root for.
Concluding, another winner from Rabbit Ears Productions. 10/10
Rabbit Ears Productions did not disappoint in this regard, actually consider 'Jonah and the Whale' among the best of their The Greatest Stories Ever Told adaptations. If not quite one of their best overall (they also had their Storybook Classics, American Heroes and Legends, Tales from Around the World and Holiday Classics series, and there were several gems in all of those as well). If anybody wants a story from the Bible told accessibly but with full impact, 'Jonah and the Whale' is a good place to look.
One thing that really stood out here in 'Jonah and the Whale' was the visual style. Which is incredibly striking and like looking at meticulously crafted oil paintings or book illustrations with an oil painted look. The character design for Jonah is commanding and noble-looking while suitably haunted in the early parts. Rabbit Ears Productions often scored well when it came to their choice of music, and George Mgrdichian's music is both haunting and oddly hypnotic.
While not one of my favourite narrators for any of the company's series (another aspect Rabbit Ears Productions consistently excelled in), Jason Robards does provide a reading of the story that invites children to stop what they're doing and come and listen further. It helps too that the writing is of the intelligent and sincere kind, the very valuable messaging making its point but not heavy-handedly so.
The storytelling was simple and approachable, while not being too simple. It was mature but never too scary, even the still formidable whale. Appreciated its faithfulness too without it being over-stuffed or too wordy. Jonah is a compelling character not hard to root for.
Concluding, another winner from Rabbit Ears Productions. 10/10
