If you have not fallen in love with the book The Little Prince before now, the newly released film version is your opportunity. And there’s so much to love about an endearing boy who lives on a tiny planet, with the added story of a little girl who heads for the stars because she believes in the possibility of the little prince’s world.
This is the simple dual plot of the animated film,The Little Prince, based on the classic illustrated French tale written by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and published in 1943. When the novella was first released it was billed as a children’s story for adults and that is true of the film as well. Children will easily identify with the life of a young girl drawn to explore an eccentric old neighbor’s magical garden. Adults will know this story is also about their own misguided and hurried lives.
Directed by Mark Osborne, the film premiered at Cannes in 2015 and has played to sold out European audiences over the past year. Osborne pitched the possibility of this film 400 times before it was accepted. The cast includes the voices of Jeff Bridges and Benicio del Toro. The film masterfully uses images of the original French text and illustrations in the beautiful stop-motion and computer animations.
Dust off a copy of this classic before heading off with the young (or older) in your life to enjoy this film. And “wait for a time, exactly under the star. Then, if a little man appears who laughs, who has golden hair and who refuses to answer questions, you will know who he is.” (Paramount)
Note: This movie is in wide release in Canadian theaters; Netflix will be streaming it later this year for U.S. viewers.
About the Author
Jenny deGroot is a freelance media review and news writer for The Banner. She lives on Swallowfield Farm near Fort Langley B.C. with her husband, Dennis. Before retirement she worked as a teacher librarian and assistant principal.