One of my all time favorites.

Instant Favorite.

Good start, but then it gets ruined

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

French film 'Le Roi Et L'Oiseau' is one of the world's best animation film. Nobody can doubt this film's sheer brilliance as well as its artistic greatness as not one but three geniuses lent artistic support towards its making. It is based on the Danish short story 'Hyrdinden Og Skorstensfejeren'/The Shepherdess and the Chimney Sweep written by Hans Christian Andersen for which director Paul Grimault worked closely for many years with creative partner and maverick French poet friend Jacques Prévert. His only wish was to see this immortal tale transformed into a phenomenal animation film. In recent years, many animation directors including Japanese masters have acknowledged the influence of this masterpiece on their works. The greatness as well as the popularity of this film is immense. This is one valid reason why 'Le Roi Et L'Oiseau' continues to be one of the important elements of French culture. It is believed that it is so important for people from all walks of life that its viewing ought to be made compulsory for people learning French language. 'The king and the mocking bird' can be construed as a film for children but it can also be appreciated by adults. The production values are high for this film and its message of the victory of good over evil needs to be understood by many viewers. Lastly, as an acclaimed animation film which provides valuable moral science insights for children, 'The King and the Mocking Bird' is a film for all those who believe in ethical dimensions of fair play and justice.

Aside from having a fascinating production history and being a major influence on Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli, this French animated masterwork is a great film on its own merits. Adjectives such as imaginative and beautiful do not even begin to do its creative visuals and humane story justice. It's meditative and uplifting, and I only wish contemporary American animation could take note, but that would not sell toys I suppose.The King and the Mockingbird (1980) is underrated and rarely seen; this should not be. The Criterion Collection has released about two animated films in its entire existence: Akira on Laserdisc and The Fantastic Mr. Fox on Blu-ray and DVD (but that has more to do with their obsession with Wes Anderson than concern over the lack of animation in their library). The King and the Mockingbird has never had a US release as far as I know, and Criterion would be perfect for putting this influential film out there.

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

"The King and the Mockingbird" is simply one of the most beautiful animated films ever made. I can clearly see how the works of Hayao Miyazaki (One of my favorite Japanese animators) were influenced by this, specially in the music, characters and mechanic designs. The animation is flawless, despite being made in 1980, it had the quality of the Golden Age of animation, reminding me a lot the shorts of Max Fleischer and the classic animated films from Walt Disney. I loved everything about this film. The whimsical story, the superb animation, the beautiful music, the charming characters...All was perfect. Too bad that there aren't very much animations like this anymore. If you love the Disney classics and the works done by Max Fleischer and Hayao Miyazaki, you shouldn't miss this one.I would give this eleven stars if I could.