Customer Reviews

POINT

5 star:		(207)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Harry Nilsson had a point and knew exactly what it was. This allegorical classic had a simple but direct message--accept everyone for who they are and not force them to fit into a preconceived notion of who they should be. Oblio and Arrow his dog are banned from the town they live in. Why? Because the Evil Count decides that anyone that can beat his son at a game (misuse of power) and looks different (Oblio's the only child with a round head not a pointed head) shouldn't be allowed in the town. He's called pointless by the Count and others. But Oblio in Nilsson's extended allegory finds that nothing is pointless least of all himself.

A charming film full of colorful imagery, "The Point" remains a classic to this day regardless of which one of the narrators you heard when you saw it. For the record, Dustin Hoffman was the original narrator. He was replaced by Ringo Starr and, then, finally Alan Thicke (of "Growing Pains" fame). The narrator on the original album was, of course, Nilsson himself. He would have done a delightful job of narrating this animated classic but elected to go with a professional "actor" in each case.

There's not much in the way of extras. We can go directly to each song which is a nice touch although including Nilsson's original album (with his narration) would have been nice. Also, what about deleted scenes, a gallery of character designs and, perhaps, some footage of Nilsson himself? Ah well, perhaps next time.

The picture quality is quite good although there's some minor analog imperfections such as dirt and debris but, on the whole, the film looks remarkably good. The soundtrack recorded in mono has more presence than the videotape version. I would have liked a surround mix of the original songs but that would have required remixing the original album mastertapes and that's probably not going to happen anytime soon. Also pick up Harry's album of the same name. The reissue of Harry's classic album supervised by Curtis Armstrong (yes, THE Curtis Armstrong of "Moonlighting Fame" and who gave a marvelous performance as the owner Ahmet Ertegunof Atlantic Records in "Ray")includes two early versions of songs that ended up on the album as well as a replica of the original booklet that came with the album.

I saw this movie on television when I was approximately 13 years old. I loved it then and became a huge fan of Harry's music. I have been trying in vain to find this movie on tape so I may share it with my husband, my step sons who are 16 year old twins and an 11 year old, and for my nieces who are 10 and 5. I have no doubt that it would become their favorite also. The story is timeless, although the animation isn't what is up to par by today's standards, but I don't think it would really matter because the sound track that goes with this story lets your imagination take over and love the topic and theme. I really can't say enough about this...I pray that it is re-released. Harry Nielson was one of the greats. p.s. This is not Gary writing this review. It's his wife.

I remember watching this cartoon almost 20 years ago - and then again, just 2 years ago on a worn-out VHS. The message is simple yet to the point: In fact, everything has a point. And the music is so very captivating - from "Me and my arrow" to "Are you sleeping". If you like Beatles - type music, you'll love this soundtrack. The cartoons are simplistic yet never dull and may actually help in getting the message of this movie more clearly.

The movie starts with us being introduced to a village in which everything has a physical point. People look like cone heads. Dogs, homes - everything has a physical point. The birth of a boy with round head causes trouble in the village which ultimately leads to him being banished. Most of the movie depicts Oblio's adventures with his dog named Arrow in the "Pointless Forest". After learning some valuable lessons, he returns to his village. Rather than spoiling the ending, I'll let you find out the outcome.

In "The Point" we meet and follow the experiences of a little lad named Oblio. Oblio was born with a round head, but into a pointed world. Everything in his village has points. The buildings have points, the houses have points, and the main product of local industry is, well, points. The people even have pointed heads. What is a little round-headed fellow to do?

Oblio endures the inevitable taunting of school mates, and other challenges that accompany someone who is, well, different. Through it all though, Oblio remains pleasant, and polite. After all of his trials, Oblio finally learns the answer to the question, "Do you have to have a 'point' to have a point?"

This movie works at multiple levels. It works as high quality entertainment for children of all ages. It has animation remeniscent of "School House Rock" from the 1970s, memorable music, including the song, "Me and My Arrow," and a great story line. This movie also works for adults concerned about issues of diversity. This movie would be as appropriate in a college classroom as in a family's front room.

I highly recommend this movie to one and all. You will enjoy it thoroughly...if you can find it.

5-stars all the way!

Alan Holyoak

As there are already many reviews explaining why this movie/record is so important, I wanted to respond to the review titled (and misspelled) "disapointed." Specifically, I believe this reviewer missed the Point of the story...

That reviewer states:

"...and then at the end--just when we thought the whole story was about being accepted as you are Oblio grows a point! Instead of internal change, new found awareness and just acceptance for who he was--he physically changed and grew a point so he looked like the people that kicked him out for being different--it dampened the point of the story! Yeah, it's symbolic, but wouldn't it be better if he came back--same round head and everyone embraced him just the same?"

The important Point that this reviewer missed is that at the end of the story EVERYONE in the town loses their Points (becomes round-headed like Oblio was) and now ONLY Oblio has a Point...So, in the end he is still different from everyone in the town...He has become "Normal" and they become "Different." In other words, what is "Different" completely depends on your Point of view. THAT is the POINT of this story. Which of course implies what the reviewer of "disapointed" wanted the story to imply: acceptance of people different than you. However, by implying this Point instead of just coming out and being obvious about it, the story is much more powerful and allows people (especially children) to understand the Point of the story at a much deeper, fundamental level.

I believe this delivery of the Point of the story is extremely important...Especially in this age of institutionalized hypocrisy children are exposed to everyday. If the townspeople of the Land of Point had simply said, "We're sorry Oblio, we were wrong." it would be extremely easy for children watching the movie to see the falseness of the situation and dismiss the message completely! People do not change that easily. Children are smart, give them credit for understanding (even at an extremely young age) that the world is not fair ("why do I have to go to bed when you get to stay up?"). Great fables do not simply state the moral; they show the ridiculousness of NOT understanding the moral, leaving the audience with a much greater understanding of its universal truth.

In this age of spoon-feed "truths", "The Point!" stands as a timeless fable that all children deserve to see/hear!

I saw this video as a child and many times since. It's a charming, memorable story about a round-headed child, Oblio, who is born in a city full of pointy-headed people. They automatically dislike Oblio because he's different; eventually he and his trusty pointed dog, Arrow, are sent to the "Pointless Forest" where Oblio's quest is to Find a Point. In this forest he has many encounters with odd people and creatures, and after each meeting, he learns a little about himself and the world he lives in. All throughout his adventure are woven many wonderful songs that will stay in your memory long after the movie has ended. The colors, lighting and animation quality of this film are first-rate. The story line is classic and teaches all who watch it many important messages. "The Point" is an older film, but don't let that stop you from adding this excellent story to your video library. It's one of my all-time favorite animation films! Once you see it, you'll agree!

I saw this video when it aired on television in the early 70's. The songs literally stayed with me into adulthood, and I was delighted when a few years ago I discovered this wonderful animated movie was available on video! The story is wonderful, and teaches some excellent lessons about fitting in, friendship, and above all, being happy and accepting of oneself, no matter what others may say or do! It illustrates that everyone has something they're good at if each person will keep looking for what that may be, and that we shouldn't judge people by the way they look nor should we make fun of people who are different from ourselves. The idea is that it's okay to be and look different, and it's okay to be around other people who look and are different. These subjects are illustrated with whimsical animation, and it's presented in a nonthreatening way for small children. I hope to be able to show this movie to my children one day, and we'll all sing along to the thoughtful and catchy songs. I highly recommend this video for parents to watch with their children. I think it's suitable for children from six years old and up (all the way up!).

I remember seeing "THE POINT" on NBC as a primetime special in 1971, and thought it was the most original animated film since YELLOW SUBMARINE. I was close, as the creative team of Murakmi-Wolf Productions was responsible in large part for both of these films. The clever and catchy music of Harry Nillson is the driving force of "THE POINT" as the animation quality is a distant cousin to YELLOW SUBMARINE. Of course, I had to buy the DVD once it was released. While I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the film again, my wife and kids were less enthralled, having been conditioned by today's animation standards, and having missed out on the early 70's cultural era that I grew up in. So, if you are say, 45 years old (or older) and remember the '70's, or if you love great music (and can stand minimalistic animation) then you're likely to really like this film.

The video production of "The Point" is a classic in the sense of "Gone With the Wind", as poignant as "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolfe?" and as memorable a musical as "The Music Man", all rolled into the genre of a children's cartoon. Anyone under 14 years and over 25 years old will see the genius at once. (Between those years, we already know everything and the movie appears trite.) If they ever re-release the video, I will buy many copies - for viewing, for gifts and for posterity. In the meanwhile, I will continue to watch my well-worn copies with my friends, with my daughter (now 30) and soon, with my grand-child. Truly a movie great.

Dan
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I love this movie!! The story of round-headed Oblio and his dog Arrow and their journey into the pointless forest (after banishment from the land of Point by the evil Count)is bouyed tremendously by a Harry Nillson score and enjoyable animation. I was one of those who missed the Point when it first came out. But I bought the cassette tape, and loved every song. I finally did see the show, and loved it. For me -- the animation adds to the songs, rather than the other way around. I'm gonna get the CD of the Point now, and hope that this will be out on dvd soon.

..........Ringo Starr, Dustin Hoffman? Really?!!