Product Details

• Actors: Donovan, Jack Wild, Donald Pleasence, John Hurt
• Directors: Jacques Demy
• Format: Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: G (General Audience)
• Studio: Legend Films
• DVD Release Date: July 1, 2008
• Run Time: 91 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0019UGYD2
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #67,687 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "The Pied Piper" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Studio: Legend Films Inc. Release Date: 07/01/2008 Run time: 90 minutes Rating: G

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars REMEMBER THIS IS A 'BRITISH' "G", July 14, 2008

By 

Randy Emmett "josh emmett" (michigan, usa) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Pied Piper (DVD)

First, I would like to say that this movie has a 'British' rating of G. Their ratings are a bit different than American and this movie may be a bit off-putting for younger children (there is a seen where rats have eaten the faces of some people in a cottage and a burning - not graphic - at the stake).
But the important thing about this movie, is that is really a great retelling of The Pied Piper. Although, the acting is surprisingly stiff considering the calibur of actors, the scenes are realistic for the times. Filmed in Germany, itself, the countryside is gorgeous. The costumes are really funny, especially the hats!!
Donovan does two really pretty songs, but this is not a musical by any means. He plays a small role, even though he is the Pied Piper (and he plays a real guitar instead of lute). Jack Wild does the best acting job (a very underrated actor). He plays the crippled boy who is left behind. But unlike the written version, where the boy is crying "wait for me!", Jack's character is on the verge of becoming a man and realizes that he has a new life ahead of him and accepts being left behind.
Unless you know the real story, it is not really clear why the Piper takes all the children and it ends without the adults realizing the children are even gone.
This is a more adult-centered version of 'The Pied Piper', and the story and the color are well worth the price, even if only for the historical value of a young Donovan, the late Jack Wild and a celebration of the 70s!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Odd But Good, April 18, 2010

By 

Brian P. Nestor (Raleigh, NC USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Pied Piper (DVD)

Not what you'd expect, this movie comes off as something between "The Seventh Seal" and "Monty Python & the Holy Grail". And that's a good thing! Perhaps the strangest 'children's movie', with a grim and cold style, moments of horror, a distant and creepy Donovan floating through the movie not being the nicest singer in the world, not to mention the dirt, filth and grime. Add the Plague, a child bride, and one of the good guys getting burned at the stake - not to mention a very ambiguous ending - and it would be a rare child indeed who wouldn't be traumatized by this film.

However, if you've ever read 'The Brother's Grim', you might recognize the authenticity. This ain't no Disney version! There are some great actors involved, especially Donald Pleasant and Michael Hordern. Even Donovan has the right 'vibe' for the story. The whole thing has an early 70's feel, where anything can happen, and to some degree it does.

This is much better than "The Model Shop". I suspect the director was more comfortable in medieval Germany than in hip Los Angeles. Add great costumes, good songs, and excellent acting, and you get a pretty unique experience. If you are up for something a little different - something that certainly could never be made today, with no happy ending - this movie could be very entertaining and memorable

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome-only if you are a Jack Wild or Donovan fan, January 30, 2011

By 

UnionGracie (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Pied Piper (DVD)

This movie is a must for all Jack Wild and Donovan fans...however, I'll admit that if you are a fan of neither, you will likely find this movie boring, and the acting poor. In fact, you will probably find the original poem more entertaining.