Peter and the Wolf
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Movie Reviews of Peter and the Wolf
Movie Review: Technically stunning, and thematically dark
Summary: 5 Stars
"Peter And The Wolf" (2008)
Technically stunning, and thematically dark, this amazing adaptation of Sergei Prokoviev's classic children's piece, features marvelous stop-motion animation from director Suzie Templeton.
The film places "Peter" squarely back into its Russian origins, but rather than an idealized rural-agrarian past, it places the story in a more modern setting, amid glum, drab, rundown shacks and tattered forests, a grim vision of a Soviet-era or post-Soviet Eastern Europe, complete with gun-toting thugs (the hunters of the original story here seem more like cold-hearted militiamen) and the nearby village appears as a rundown, dismal cinderblock outpost. Amid this crushing gloom, Peter finds wonder and joy, unlocking a secret garden where he and his friends the bird and the duck (both crippled and unable to fly) are able to play and forget the bleakness around them.
While this may sound a bit miserable, the film itself is a marvel: the amount of work that went into this film is amazing, with Templeton devoting a full five years of her life to completing the piece. Equally engrossing are the added special features, including a making-of video and interview with Templeton and her cohorts that gives a sense of the sheer scope of their project, and the level of detail that went into this production. While the film itself may be a bit dark for smaller children, it will enthrall older kids and adults alike... This is a real class act, a film worth having and viewing for years to come. Recommended! (Joe Sixpack, Slipcue film reviews)
Movie Review: Extraordinary Presentation of an Oscar Winner
Summary: 5 Stars
This DVD features the 2007 Academy Award Winner for Best Short (Animated). It was featured on PBS last year, but even if you recorded that presentation, there is much that this DVD has to offer.
First, the main feature is presented with an option to begin with the introduction that shows what instrument and theme are assigned to each character. The feature itself is an extraordinary accomplishment, presenting a darker view of the tale than we are used to. No Disney clownishness here. Instead we have a gaunt, forlorn Peter, up against a pretty frightening wolf.
The extras include not only the making of documentary that was included with the PBS special, but also another subtitled Polish documentary. Most fascinating is a rough print version, with some scenes fully completed, and others in various stages of completion. This version shows a lot of the work that went into this labor-intensive project.
As for the reviewer who objected to the story variances, may I suggest that in future you headline such reviews with a "spoiler alert." In any event, I do not find these changes to the classic tale objectionable, and they are certainly not contradicted by the music.
For the reviewer who was hoping for a music lesson, what can I say? This film is so much more.
If you dislike stop animation projects, or have problems with Prokofiev's simple musical sketch, then move on. Otherwise, this ia a fantastic buy.
Movie Review: Fantastic Short now available in Region1
Summary: 5 Stars
I first saw portions of "Peter and the Wolf" on PBS, and immediately wanted to purchase a copy. I was dismayed to find out that it was not available in REGION 1 format. I am glad it is now. Suzie Templeton's short film is a example of the sustaining power and depth of Prokofiev's program music. The synthesis between the score and visual is seamless although the score was written decades ago. In this format, the descriptive nature of the music itself is clearly exemplified and personified. Film music is often written in response to the visual, while here the process is reversed. Templeton's greatest achievement is allowing the viewer to experience the complexity of this piece that Prokofiev ultimately wrote for children.
Furthermore, the extras included fill out the DVD package. A highlight is the documentary about the use of the "Peter and the Wolf" film as an educational tool to teach elementary school children about music, art, and the relationship between the two.
The film is not only entertaining it is educational.
Highly recommended to those interested in music education, animation buffs, and Russian music fans.
Movie Review: Beautiful, stark and amazing!
Summary: 5 Stars
Suzie Templeton may be little known outside of the world of stop motion animation circles, but she is an incredible talent with a penchant for dark, thoughtful and sometimes twisted short subjects. With Peter and the Wolf she delves more into the mainstream and handles her biggest project to date.
Templeton has weaved together an international co-production between studios in Britain and Poland, using stop motion animation and digital effects to create a modern retelling of the Sergei Prokofiev musical.
There are plenty of reviews of the movie itself, but the amazon.com description does not include information about the plethora of extras on this new Region 1 DVD. Included are:
The musical themes
The story in pictures
The making of Peter & the Wolf
Behind the scenes documentary
Audio commentary
Educational workshop
If you are worried about buying an $18 DVD for just a 32 minute feature, you can rest assured you are getting much more than that.
Movie Review: Truly charming
Summary: 5 Stars
When I was a kid I listened to Prokofiev's Peter & the Wolf a couple of times. Okay, the various instruments representing Peter and the assorted animals were supposed to accomplish storytelling through music. This might have captivated kids way back when, but it didn't really work its spell on me. Not until I saw this stop-frame animation version from Breakthru Films. This is absolutely charming storytelling that appeals to all ages. Only the willfully jaded and most tenacious cynics will be able to resist the appeal of this delightful animated rendition of Peter and the Wolf. It is also an improvement on the original tale; it is largely free of boring cliches of good vs evil, and it has a more uplifting ending. - I would rank this right up there with Miyazaki's My Neighbor Totoro as a true charmer.