Rabbit Ears - The Fool and the Flying Ship (1991)

This short film has more nostalgia for me than anything else. I remember Saturday mornings when my family would go to the library, and every time we went I would want to rent out this tape. Not sure what my fascination with it was, but either way it got me hooked to watch it over and over. Looking back on it, it is definitely not your average children's movie, but it's fun and adventurous. Also as a child I had no idea Robin Williams did the voices for this! I only thought of his as the Genie from Aladdin. Of course he is known for much more than that (insert his IMDb page), but it's nice that he participated on a lower key project like The Fool and the Flying Ship. All in all I would give this film a shot because it's quirky characters and music just make you want to smile.

This movie was viewed by a group of ESL elementary students (ages 9-12). We liked the flying ship because it was a magical thing. It was a good example of a folktale because it stokes the imagination. It also gives many details about how they travel. It was a little bit difficult to understand Robin Williams at times, but he did a good job overall with the story. The students thought it was boring at times because the pictures did not move too much. We also thought that it was interesting because we like to learn about folktales from other countries. The students' favorite part is when the fool kisses the princess. Overall, we enjoyed the magic and the music very much.

Funny, interesting, and imaginative are the qualities ofthis movie!!! This version of the Russian Folktale is extremely funny as it is also very touching. Robin Williams does a great job of making the characters extremely creative. Henrik Drescher's illustrations are so full of life and bizarreness that it gives the movie an edgy but exciting and touching mood on the story. The story is an instant classic to the children as well as the adults. The adults will laugh at some of the humor this movie has while the children will enjoy the drawings and the light-humored tone of this story. This is a story that will remain in the hearts of everyone who sees this new version of the famous Russian Folktale.

The bizarre demand of a foolish Tsar is met in a most surprising way by THE FOOL AND THE FLYING SHIP - and five very peculiar friends.This old Russian folk tale is given a most lively interpretation by the folks at Rabbit Ears. Full of sound, color & good humor, it is sure to engage the imagination.Robin Williams provides a hectic, hilarious narration in dialect, perfectly underscored by the Klezmer Conservatory Band. Henrik Drescher's highly individualistic illustrations will delight or depress, depending on the mood of the viewer.