We watch a ton of movies around here! I guess if you’re a regular around here you know that movies are one of my passions. We recently had the opportunity to review the modern-day version of Peter & the Wolf. If you don’t remember the story, here is a little recap (from Wikipedia and the site):
Originally, Peter and the Wolf was written in 1936 by Sergei Prokofiev. This children’s story was spoken by a narrator and accompanied by an orchestra.
Peter (depicted by strings) wanders through nature, observing a duck (oboe), a bird (flute), and a cat (clarinet). Peter’s grandfather (bassoon) admonishes him for wandering in a place where a wolf might attack and makes him return home. From that safe place, sure enough, Peter soon sees a wolf (horns) arrive on the scene. The wolf wolfs down the duck and then threatens the bird and cat. Determined to thwart the aggressor, Peter sneaks back outside and manages to catch the animal, with the help of the bird and a rope. When hunters (lots of timpani and bass drum) arrive on the scene, anxious to kill the wolf, Peter urges them to let the animal be taken to a zoo instead. As they all head off in happy procession, the duck can be heard quacking inside the wolf’s stomach, “for, in his hurry, the wolf had swallowed her whole.
The story is a simple one and retold in 32 minutes. It’s about strength and courage and overcoming fears. There is suspense and danger, risk-taking and victory. It is somewhat dark and definitely recommended for older children who are mature enough to handle such concepts (in my opinion). The story is uniquely told solely through music (you won’t find any dialogue) and each character represents an instrument. Featuring the Philharmonia Orchestra under the direction of Mark Stephenson and performing Prokofiev’s score, Peter & the Wolf won the 2008 Oscar for Best Animated Short Film. Artistically, you’ll find yourself mesmerized by the stop-frame model animation, puppets, and digital photography.
Peter & the Wolf was released on DVD in December. You can pick it up on Amazon.com for $17.99.
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