Customer Reviews

Martin the Cobbler [VHS]

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

This is a beautiful rendition of Tolstoy's "Where Love is" into a visual medium. It picks up the flavor, the love, and the deep spirtual belief in the story perfectly. This would be a perfect gift for any Christian family.

This video will tug at your heart strings. Excellent message for people of all ages. The animation looks antiquated but excellet nonetheless.

This is a great video. I'm using it in our Sunday School program, and the kids have enjoyed it. The accent is a bit tough for the younger kids to make out, but other than that, it's been a hit. Thanks!

Claymation is a lost art now-a-days. :) I remember when I was just a child at home, my parents would rent this movie reel from our home library every Christmas without fail. When seeing this on DVD, I snatched it up. It still holds the warm, friendly feeling in me as it did when I was a little girl. Love this movie, and recommend for entire family viewing!

Tolstoy's own daughter introduces this wonderful, enchanting, animated Christmas Motion Picture. Other 5 star reviewers masterfully tell the story better than I; so I'll just add what Tolstoy himself thought of the story: Many people do not understand the introduction and words of Tolstoy's daughter because of her accent. Her words and the introduction are so important that I will quote the words here, "When father was asked if 'War and Peace' was his greatest work, he said, 'NO, MY GREATEST WORK WAS 'WHAT AND IF I' AND 'MARTIN THE COBBLER'."

One of the most loved novelists in the history of the world believed this simple short story was his best work! Nothing could better dramatize the words of Jesus, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

If Tolstoy were alive and could see Will Vinton's magical, claymation version of the story of 'Martin the Cobbler' (with music you will never forget), I believe he would give the film 5 Stars!

See all of my Reviews. I write only about books, events, or motion pictures that have changed the course of history or unforgettable books or motion pictures that will totally change peoples lives.

Based on the story by Leo Tolstoy, "Where Love Is", this is the story of Martin, a old shoe cobbler in a rural Russian village who is bitter with the world from the loss of his wife. As he tells a priest, me and God do not get along anymore. The priest is asking Martin to make a new cover for a very important holy book, and while Martin does not feel worthy of the job due to his lack of faith, the priest gently prods him to read some of the book and give the job a try. Martin dreams that night about an important message from the Lord, and sees his hand at work the next day. It changes his life as well as others he comes in contact with in a very inspiring way. This is a 27 minute claymation film from 1977, made by Will Vinton. The music, animation, character design, voice acting and script were all well done. A nice surprise was the intro and narration from Tolstoy's own daughter. I have enjoyed other films by Vinton in this series of DVD's, especially the First Christmas DVD that has 3 stories on it. Shopping at Amazon.com made my search for this rare movie easy and affordable.

I was very pleased with the speed of delivery and the condition of my purchase was Brand New. I was looking for Martin the Cobbler for a long time and I found it here on Amazon! I remember Martin the Cobbler from when I was a child...I went on a retreat and they showed us this movie. I fell in love with it's message and always remembered it. Now that I am older I thought to pass this message on to my religious education students and children...and what better way than Martin the Cobbler! It is fun, and magical. Both children and adults can learn from this movie. I Highly recommend it.