Margery Williams' 'The Velveteen Rabbit' is a truly beautiful book. It was a favourite in my childhood-early teenage years, being captivated by its charm and emotional impact as well as relating so much to the lead character. As a young adult, my feelings on 'The Velveteen Rabbit' are exactly the same and actually love it even more, it is more touching now and one realises how deep the themes and story are in a way not noticed as much when younger.
1984's 'The Velveteen Rabbit' is the first of Rabbit Ears Productions' numerous animated adaptations of popular children/family literature. There were a number of gems in the company's output in all three series of theirs produced. 'The Velveteen Rabbit' is one of those gems and to me it's one of the best of their output. It does this amazing story perfect justice, is very faithful without being overly so and captures the book's spirit beautifully. It also manages to be wonderful on its own terms.
'The Velveteen Rabbit' is beautifully animated, very elegantly drawn with a lot of atmosphere in the colours. The animation is an interesting one, with the use of still images moving throughout scenes. Some may consider that limited, not to me and thought it elegant in its simplicity while finding too that it didn't come over as too much of a gimmick over-used and abused. The music is also very soothing and fits the dream-like understated atmosphere of the story perfectly and even enhances it.
It is a beautifully written adaptation too. Very sincere without being over-sentimental and it doesn't get over-serious. There is nothing here that comes over as cheesy and it was clearly written with respect for its audience of a wide range. The story has the charm and childhood innocence, but more importantly the magic is there and 'The Velveteen Rabbit' doesn't trivialise the deep content of the book. Did find it genuinely moving in parts and appreciated that it never tried too much and told the story gently.
As said, the main character is worth rooting for, as is the whole theme of learning the true meaning of being real. Meryl Streep's tender tones as narrator here is just perfect for the story, exactly what has always been in mind by me whenever reading 'The Velveteen Rabbit'.
Overall, really wonderful and anybody that looks the book will love it. 10/10
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