The Legend of the Scarecrow (2005) User Reviews

A good Gothic fairy tale

[Rectangular_businessman · 8/10 · 10 June 2013]

I think this was a pretty well made short: It had an excellent atmosphere and combined in a very interesting manner the CGI with hand-drawn animation, resulting in a captivating and beautifully made Gothic fairy tale.

While there is some clear influence from Tim Burton (Particularly in what concerns to the sceneries and the design of the main character)the story from this short film has its own merits, being a valid fable about tolerance and prejudice, having also a poetical and moving ending.

Even when the narration turns a little bit annoying at moments, it still serves to give this short an effective "old-fashioned" feeling, which is more than appropriate for the mood and themes of the story.

Slightly creepy grown-up animation

[Horst_In_Translation · 6/10 · 9 November 2017]

"La leyenda del espantapájaros" or "The Legend of the Scarecrow" is a 9-minute animated short film from 2005, so already way over a decade old. The writer and director is (retired?) Marco Besas and up until now, this is probably his career-defining work, scored some awards attention, also in the United States. It is not black-and-white animation as you may think from the title picture here on IMDb. On the contrary, color eventually plays a most crucial role. The narrator is Spanish actor Sancho Gracia in the later stages of his life and career already and he is really the heart and soul of the film. Great narration. Subtitles are a must if you aren't fluent in Spanish. This one got a boost recently again as it will maybe get every year on Halloween because of the scary contents. This is not one for the children, but certainly a very smart and interesting little story with a truly memorable plot twist at the very end. I give it a thumbs-up and recommend checking it out. The animation style and atmospheric take also fit the story and characters very well. Go see it.

A lonely scarecrow wonders about his life

[accio-thewlis · 10/10 · 17 May 2007]

I ran into this short film last night on TV, and I found myself glued to the screen. The music is amazing, and it has a wonderful effect for such a short story. The drawings and animation are strange but simple, similar to a world created by Tim Burton but with its own elements, that make this film a real delight.

The story goes like this: the scarecrow is lonely, and he wonders why nobody wants to be his friend. He asks the birds that fly above him, crows, but he's not happy with the answer.

There's a bit of myth, another dash of recreating a well-known story and, most of all, a teaching at the end.

I loved this film, I really did. It's very well done, very well constructed and the narration is impeccable. It's a bit sad, true, but definitely worth watching.

A wonderful short movie

[nica-h · 10/10 · 25 October 2006]

I really enjoyed this one at a short film-Festival. It's one of the rare short movies that you carry around with you for quite a while. The story is rather simple, comparable to a children's book or tale or - as the title suggests - to an old legend. The movie tells the story of a scarecrow that wants to fly with the birds. Of course the birds don't like scarecrows and neither do the people of the nearby village. So this is a sad story with a not-happy-but-all-right ending. I enjoy the look of this movie, it's a peculiar look somewhere between drawings for children's books, although there's not a hint of naivety in there, and the look of corpse bride.

I can only recommend this movie!

Good Film: Only Themes - No Spoilers

[speaktojeff · 10/10 · 1 April 2013]

La leyenda del espantapájaros remains a perfectly crafted short-film, worthy of all awards won. WATCH / BUY this short ten minute animated film (English sub-title versions exist)… Summary (with absolute minimal spoilers / will not ruin your experience): The film's protagonist is a "living & feeling" Scarecrow, created by man; with a pre-defined purpose only to scare birds. However, his worldly duty conflicts with his friendly personality, which results in loneliness. He eventually befriends a blind crow, to forge a bond and friendship reciprocated, well beyond the Scarecrow's existence...

The heart of this film remains solely in its story: which combines complex elements, morals and themes of Classic Mythology, Aesop, Brothers Grimm, Mary Shelley, Shel Silverstein, etc. – all presented in simple narrative, easily understood by both children* and adults alike.

*Note for Children: It remains a dark tale / not meant for all: A story whose themes' grows finer and expands: with age, experience and wisdom…. As previously posted: All visuals / animations are in the vein of a dark and enchanting Burton-esque film. Yet, no single element remains directly lifted, nor is comparable.

Beautiful, sad and haunting.

[midnitepantera · 10/10 · 7 August 2021]

This is a lovely Spanish story about things we are made to fear and the damage and consequences of it. Filled with kindness and sorrow and Crows, which I love! There are English dubbed versions, but if you understand Spanish, I suggest you watch the original Spanish version, the language and story are much more lyrical and beautiful from the Spanish narrator. The English version is ok, but something is lost in translation for me and I didn't care for the English narrators voice.