The King and the Mockingbird (1980)

I am actually kind of furious with myself for taking so long to see The King and the Mockingbird. Seeing how good the film is makes me wonder why it was that I did take as long as I did to view it. As an animated film, it is a real bon bon and rivals anything Disney, Studio Ghibli or Pixar has done, and in some respects better than some to be honest.The visuals are one of the many great strengths. The animation on the kingdom of Tikicardia itself looks amazing with a unique stylistic look to it, and the rest of the landscapes are a thing of true beauty. The colours are also gorgeous with the shadings very pleasing to the eye, and the architecture is enough to make your jaw drop. And the characters are very well modelled.The music is both haunting and poignant and really enhances to the atmosphere of the film. The script is poetic and ironic, the story is just magical with some fine themes such as a touching love story and tyranny and class difference which are explored in a tender way. The final message of the film affected me in a way very few other animated films have done, while the characters are engaging and the direction and voice work are top notch.All in all, The King and the Mockingbird is a gem. If you love animated films, I think you should see this beautiful yet criminally under-seen film. 10/10 Bethany Cox

I first saw this movie when I was really little, and it's still is one of my favorite cartoon.I've met several people who, when watching it, were disturbed by it. Mainly, i think, because it is so different from the other cartoons. It has a lot of symbolism, and the characters are neither good or bad. But i don't think it's unsuitable for children... The story around the shepherdess and the chimney boy is so adorable, and i remember loving many scenes full of beauty when i was little.It is a metaphor of what power can do to people. It shows how love and freedom can never be kept locked up. Every scene of this movie is a small piece of symbolism, making it a piece of art, not always likable, but admirable in its perfection.

I wasn't partly familiar with it's existence till recently. But it's worth discovering over off the internet.The King and the Mockingbird is a little hard to understand without knowing any French. I don't know any so I just watched it and see what I can make out of the story by the actions and scenes. Takes place in a serial kingdom utopia. Where lived a king who was passionate with his image and power over people. Also in the kingdom lived a Mockingbird who watches over his kids and is a real nuisance to the King. As well as a young couple who magically came to life from the King's art gallery.The rest of the story is bazaar and fantastic at the same time. The movie is very hard to find in R1 DVDs. Not as well known as "Triplets of Belleville" another great French movie. But there's yet to be a Special Edition that would include English translation for all English speaking countries to enjoy this masterpiece. Since the French do have their small share of animation producing.The animation is old quality, because it began production as far back as the 40s. The likeness is a combination of Max Flechier/early Disney animation. And was created by a French animator, who was known as the Disney of France. I haven't seen any of his other ones. But this one here is his most well known work over in Europe.So if you ever come across this title be sure to see it if you like foreign animation.

I remember watching this in school when i was a kid, later i had a tremendous struggle trying to find it again, finally got it in my hands & have watched it like 10 times since! Animation made by computer opens new grounds for sure, but most of it (if not all until today) has no soul at all, no replaying value either. Check this & don't mind the language, is so well gestured by the characters you'll understand most of & it has an excellent score as well. I can see cubist & futurist artistic movements influenced this movie too. Nothing comes close, even the best anime movie from japan!Only movie i ever will put a 10 on, i guess!