It's both surprising and disappointing to find only a handful of raves for this outstanding film which is certainly the equal of anything Disney turned out in its Snow White, Bambi, etc heyday and may, as some posters insist, even surpass Disney. As a lifelong admirer of Jacques Prevert the dialogue was the principal attraction for me but I stayed to marvel at the animation, the colour, the music, the whole nine yards in fact. Prevert's touch is everywhere from the name of the King to the Popular Front/October Group philosophies, the stark contrast in lifestyles between the King and more or less everyone else in his kingdom. The Bird has overtones of Charley Carioca ironically a Disney creation and those seeking the referential can cite the robot which could be a cross between King Kong and Edward Scissorhands whilst I'm sure academics and others of that ilk could cite a dozen more examples but far better to just enjoy an outstanding piece of animation.
Review of The King and the Mockingbird
