|
(1937, aka THE STORY OF THE FOX) Romain Bouquet, Claude Daupihn, Raine, Sylvain Etkine, Robert Seller, Leon Larive. Tale of the Fox is without a doubt one of the most unique fantasies ever filmed. With production beginning in 1930, this is one of the best examples of early stop-motion animation with puppets you will ever see. The story is set in a fantastical animal kingdom where the wiley fox lord, Reynard, is playing havoc with the many animals in the kingdom—a kingdom ruled by a Lion King. The fox’s exploits against these other animals are most amusing, showing conclusively that the fox is the slyest of all animals. One of the most remarkable scenes is a long musical number (with frogs, birds, and other critters) that is much in the vein of the Busby Berkeley numbers of the 1930s. It’s a wow! The climactic castle siege is pure genius, and the animation throughout is incredible. This film was the brainchild of Wladyslaw Starewicz, who gave us the wonderful animated short, At the Devil’s Ball (1933, aka The Mascot). A must. In French, subtitled in English.
|
|
