The Soldier's Tale - DVD

Blechman has done an outstanding job at visually rendering Stravinsky's musical story. Charming, expressive animation brings the music to life, with just a little narration. Mostly, though, the gentle coloring and ragged lines of Blechman's animation stand on their own.

The story describes a solder, home from the war, eager to start a new life and family. Before he makes it home, the "deal with the devil" plot takes over. As usual, the soldier gets what he asks for but loses everything he wants. It's no spoiler to say that the soldier gets his back in the end, better than ever. The tale lies in getting there, which the music and imagery make easy to enjoy.

There might not be much kid appeal here, but we grownups need animations of our own, too. Although it dates back to 1980, the centennial of Stravinsky's birth, this timeless classic retains its power to please. And, who knows, your child might like this cartoon and music, too.

-- wiredweird

When I was very young, my father owned a French LP of "Igor Stravinsky - L'histoire du soldat" which was unquestionably his favorite recording. So I grew up on this. Of course, his version has only French narration...and so I have never bought a recording without stunning voices - in French. Those versions include one narrated by Jean Cocteau and Peter Ustinov (and) another recording read by Georges Descrieres.

In this version, the fable is voiced in English...but the animation is endlessly intriguing. I have remembered images for years. Most persons know the story - it is a Faustian tale of a simple Russian soldier who sells his violin to the devil in return for a book that predicts the future. With that book, the man can make untold wealth...but he can never capture true happiness. Although he finds a way to get free of the devil, the dark spirit has just one last chance to capture the man's soul again. Will that opportunity arise?

For those willing to be engaged with a cartoon as much as with a live film, I cannot recommend a better movie. Of course, the music is by one of the twentieth century's greatest composers. Even Walt Disney was fascinated with Igor Stravinsky's music - so he used "The Rite of Spring" as the foundation for one of his famous cartoon sequences in "Fantasia."

This DVD is absolutely sensational - artistically, intellectually, and just for fun! However it does have a dark side...