Product Details

• Actors: Alexandra Tolstoy
• Format: Animated, Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Tapeworm Video Dist
• VHS Release Date: June 1, 1977
• Run Time: 27 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304039875
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #166,896 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Claymation by Will Vinton Studios from a story by Leo Tolstoy; Naration: Alexandra Tolstoy (Leo Tolstoy's daughter)

First Prize, Childrens Films, Ottawa International Animation Festival

Children's Jury Top Prize, Austria Festival of International Children's Films

Mayors Chris Award, Most Innovative Film Columbus International Film Festival

Best in Show, Best in Category, Golden Gate International Film Festival

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Tear-Jerker, December 15, 2003

By 

Timothy Kearney (Haverhill, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Martin the Cobbler [VHS] (VHS Tape)

MARTIN THE COBBLER is a heartwarming video based on a short by Tolstoy. Martin is a lonely shoe maker who has completely shut out the world around him after the loss of his family. One day a priest asks Martin to repair a Bible for him. Martin does not believe he is worthy but agrees to do the job. When he goes to bed that evening, he has a dream that the Lord will visit him. The next day Martin has some visitors: a poor man who is shoveling snow, a poor woman with her child, and an old woman and young boy fighting with each other. In each situation, Martin is able to help the visitors. That night he reads the book and comes across the phrase Whenever you do it for one of my least, you do it for me. Martin realizes that the Lord did visit hymn that daythree times!

The story is uses Claymation characters which are lovable. We feel as if we are in pre-revolutionary Russia. The engineering is not the bets, but in a way it adds a certain flavor. I have watched this video many times and have used it with children as well. It never fails to please and tug at the heartstrings!

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Martin The Cobbler, November 29, 1999

By 

Ruthann O. Adamsky "hummingbird holder" (New Hampshire, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Martin the Cobbler [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is, quite simply, one of the most beautiful tales ever told; the story of an ordinary man and his return to faith and love. It's original title, by Tolstoy, is "Where Love is, God Is". A man living without hope or love, has them restored to him by his own good deeds, and learns the lesson: "Whatsoever you do unto one of these, however small he be, whatever you do to your brothers and sisters, remember you do unto me." A wonderful movie, in 'Claymation', for everyone.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tolstoy brought to life -- for all ages, April 1, 2001

By 

dennis p maneri (manasquan, nj United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Martin the Cobbler [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This video scored high on several levels: As literature on video; as the finest in claymation; and for telling a truly spiritual and "religious" story in a non-sectarian manner. This is as fine a family video as anyone could hope to own; a home video with a message that is timeless. You may never get your children to read Tolstoy's books but I guarantee you that they'll never forget this story. I have a friend whose children requested to re-watch this video until the tape wore out -- and they still quote lines from the story. On the production-value side, this is one of the earliest works of claymation animator, Will Vinton (creator of the California raisins), and I think it's as good as anything he's done.