Cinema
The King and the Mockingbird
Le Roi et l'Oiseau
Paul Grimault · 1980
Synopsis
In the kingdom of Takicardia, King Charles V and Three Make Eight and Eight Make Sixteen rules as a tyrant, living at the top of a gigantic palace. Only a talkative, mocking bird, which has built its nest right next to the king's secret apartments, dares to taunt him. In those apartments, at night, the paintings come to life: a shepherdess and a little chimney sweep, painted on two neighbouring canvases, fall in love and run away, while the king, smitten with the shepherdess, sets off in pursuit of them.
Context
The film is drawn from a tale by Andersen, and Jacques Prévert wrote the screenplay with Grimault. Begun in 1948, it was released unfinished in the early fifties by the producer André Sarrut, without its authors' consent and under another title. Grimault regained control of it and completed it; the definitive version was released on 19 March 1980. Studiocanal subsequently carried out a restoration lasting two and a half years.
Who it is for
Eighty-seven minutes; an animated tale for all ages, which adults also read as a political fable.
Prizes and reception
Prix Louis-Delluc in 1979; Miyazaki and Takahata, founders of Studio Ghibli, acknowledged it as a decisive influence.
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