Customer Reviews

Happy Prince [VHS]

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(0)
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Truly one of the best stories ever told. A young, happy prince lives inside the castle walls, never knowing the struggles of his subjects until his death. After his death a gold statue with ruby eyes and other jewels in his sword is erected in his honor in the middle of town. The spirit of the young prince lives on in the statue and he despairs over the sadness of his people until he befriends a young swallow. He convinces the swallow to wait to fly south for the winter and to instead help him to help his subjects by taking the jewels embedded in the statue to various desperately poor people. After the jewels are all gone he instructs the swallow to strip him of his gold and distribute it among the people until there is nothing left but an ugly statue. The end brings tears to any eye. Definitely a story of love and kindness that will touch the heart of everyone both young and old.

I was hunting for this animated classic along with the Selfish Giant on video for some time, all I could find was through private sellers. Until I chanced upon a compilation of both these heart warming tales on one video, entitled "Classic Fairy Tales". I immediately ordered it and it turned up all the way from the US in time for Christmas thanks to the people at Amazon.[com.]

I am from England aged 28. I remember seeing this video along with two others on British TV when I was around nine years old. The others were "The Selfish Giant"(also listed on Amazon from the same studio!) and Japaneese Directed "The Little Mermaid"( much better than Disneys!!). I have lately been searching desperately to obtain these three animated films with no success. I have never forgotten how touched I was by the loyalty, love and self sacrifice shown in this Oscar Wilde classic.(Yes I know I was only nine which goes to show how good it was!) Just like the other reviewers on this site, I add my plea for someone, anyone to have this film (which was my favourite) and indeed the others which are equaly 'memorable treasures' to be re-released!

Like many of you, I was fortunate enough to have this wonderful movie shown when I was in elementary school. I never forgot it. It may sound corny, but they don't make movies like this for kids anymore. It is a simple, yet moving tale that reminds us of the truly important things in life. It is a shame that it's never aired anywhere anymore. In this day and age, children of all ages are in dire need of a story that actually teaches them something many of us tend to forget along the way. If you ever get the chance to buy this rare gem, do it. Very hard to find.

Like many other Reviewers of this exceptional masterpiece of animation, I was privileged to view it on British television when I was quite young. In the years that have elapsed I've never encountered any subsequent broadcasts of this animated film. I find this exasperating and unbelievable. I need to find out if I can play the American VHS video format on my UK Sony VCR. If playback is not possible - well, shame on everyone involved in the marketing of the video. This is truly seminal viewing and my children should have access to this video here in the UK !

Like many of the other reviewers of this film, I was very young when I first saw "The Happy Prince" and I must say that it left a very strong and overwhelming impression on me. Traditionally at Christmas time, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation would air the film, and over the years, even though I have seen it many times, it never fails to leave me weeping uncontrolably. I have been searching in vain for a VHS copy for what seems like forever. I hope and pray the film will be re-released soon; for my sake and for yours.

This delightful version of "The Happy Prince" is

simply wonderful. I enjoyed it very much indeed;

beautiful imagery, thoughtful narration, and lovely music. It is great for adults and children alike; whether or not you have read the short story. This video is the best of its kind; rating up there with "Watership Down". END

This has to be it. My grade school showed this film to second graders as required learning, which it should be!! It is well-written (Oscar Wilde), well performed, and a haunting story that will follow them for the rest of their lives. How the self-centered, flighty sparrow develops compassion in this story meets perfectly with children ages 6-9 whose own consciences are in development. As an adult, I was thrilled to find this video in three segments on Youtube. I watched it and my kids were rapt with the low-tech but beautifully crafted animated story. It is comparable to the Iron Giant, but truly an timeless presentation and an eternal message.

I remember seeing this wonderful animated film when i was only about 4 (i'm now 32) and it touched me deeply - it always stuck in the back of my mind, even though never having seen it since on television, or elsewhere, since.
"The Happy Prince" is the delightfully bitter sweet story of a golden statue situated in the middle of a poor town (run by incredibly wealthy aristocrats) and how he cries silently to himself for all the poor people who live in the city he watches over. He befriends a swallow who by the Happy Prince's request, tears strips off his golden skin and gives them to the needy in the town below, not just his skin, but his daimond eyes and his ruby sword hilt too, leaving him blind and totally discoloured. This is a sad and very touching story of sacrifice and of friendship which has a lovely ending, the animation is on par with 'Nepenthe Productions' "Watership Down" and should be aired more often as it is a forgotten jewel, everyone who has seen this, i'm sure will agree. "The Happy Prince" is perfect for young children and for those, like me, who have never really grown up.

A timeless children classic which used to be broadcast on TV in the Christmas period which unfortunately no longer do so. It is not available in the UK and the only place you might find some hint of mentioning is in the Americans sites. Luckily I have one and I dont intend to dispense with it even though the format is not compatible with those in the UK!