Product Details

• Actors: Paul Hecht, Charles Aznavour
• Directors: Peter Sander
• Format: Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Family Home/Discovery Video
• VHS Release Date: April 15, 1992
• Run Time: 29 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302327725
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,787 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing and Wonderful Children's Entertainment, December 5, 1999

By	Wayne Radford (Vancouver, BC - Canada) - See all my reviews

I saw this animated short when I was growing up in the 1970s... as it used to air on special occaisions on the local tv network. It has stayed in my mind as a beautifully animated interpetation of Oscar Wilde's short story. This memory has not been garnished or embellished, as I recently had an opportunity to see this show once again. The Selfish Giant learns the harsh lesson of his own self-imposed limitations after he seals himself off from the world in anger. In his self-imposed exile, for selfish reasons, Summer (who is characterised as a real person) passes his home by. 'He is too... Selfish!' she thinks. Because summer 'forgets' to visit the giant's garden and home, the north wind, the hail, the frost and the snow come to stay and rule the giant's garden. These are all presented as real characters, and the animated series and music that accompanies this program is delightful. The hail is a true inspiration (you must see his character!). When the giant begins to rue his mistake, he is given the opportunity to repent his selfishness when some children sneak into his garden and spring briefly returns. There is a good lesson in this video, if you can find it. The music, animation stylings and the story make for a magical video that the whole family will enjoy. I definately recommend it, and will continue to search for an available copy!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Selfish Giant, November 21, 2000

By A Customer

I saw this video many times as a child and young girl and it still touches my heart. This story of the giant who banishes the village children from his garden only to become very lonely and is then haunted by the spirits of the weather (wind, hail, snow) is beautifully animated and I can still hear the theme song in my head (you're just building a wall to surround yourself, you're just building a wall to protect yourself, you're just building a wall, that will break your heart) still has the power to give me goosebumps. I really hope that this wonderful video is re-released (along with its partner The Happy Prince). I would love for my children to have the opportunity to see this.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterpiece, November 14, 2000

By	Michael Brooks (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews

I only saw the Selfish Giant once many, many years ago. It was a beautiful and touching story that lingers in my memory to this day. I have two young nephews that I think would be touched by the magic of this story as well. I bought the book for Christmas for them, and if I could couple that with the video, it would make a memorable gift. But, alas, the video is not available. It must be rereleased.