The Emperor's
Nightingale
(aka CIRASUV SLAVIK)
With: Helena Patockova(the Girl), Jaromir Sobotoa (the Boy)
English-Language Version:
***
A short and classic Czech animation tale from famed director Trnka,
considered by many to be the top dimensional animator of all time.
We start off with a strange live-action prolog added by US producer
William S. Snyder and narrated by Boris Karloff. A sad little birthday
boy with big ears longs to play outside, but instead has a fever
dream, dreaming a wonderful dream told with exquisite miniatures
animation.
A Chinese emperor has many riches but is not happy, until a little girl brings him a nightingale, an actual live thing that can be his friend, showing that friends are better than things (if you can get 'em).
Some nice touches include a bunch of servants singing "My Country Tis of Thee," and a good shot of Death "tending his garden," an immense graveyard.
This picture is gentle and beautiful with exquisite design and gorgeous music by Vaclav Trojan, yet extremely obscure, and possibly too dear for todays's audience, although it has finally surfaced in a beautiful home video version for new generations to ponder.
Video/DVD availability: VHS (various), DVD (Image Entertainment, Catcom)
(1948, Czechoslovakia) color live-action/animated 73 minutes
Story: Hans Christian Andersen
Screenplay: Jiri Trnka, Jiri Brdecka
Music: Vaclav Trojan
Cinematography: Ferdinand Pecenka
Directed by Jiri Trnka, Jiri Brdecka
Directed by Milos Makovec (live-action scenes)
(1951) Rembrandt Films 60/55 minutes
Screenplay: Phyllis McGinley
Produced by William S. Snyder
Narrated by Boris Karloff