Customer Reviews

Rip Van Winkle

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

 

 

I first saw this movie in the early 80s. When I had children I picked it up on VHS. When I saw it on DVD I had to have it. Kids love it but so do adults. My adult friends ask me to play it for them. I watch it whenever I need a pick-me-up or inspiration. BUY! BUY! BUY!

I like this series titled "Clay Classic" by Will Vinton quite a bit. The animation is amazing, the color, the voices, they all work great. The script follows the original short story by Washington Irving pretty faithfully. My hands down favorites in the series so far is The First Christmas (actually 3 films on 1 disc), and Martin the Cobbler. I have also seen Michael the Visitor and I hope to order some of the other titles soon.

Years ago I showed this as a projected film to my 7th grade students with good effect. The colors and animation are superb. Its theme is a welcome antidote to the harsh judgment children often pass on those who don't fit a common mold. Rip is a misfit among the solemn Dutchmen of his time and place. His gifts are not practical, but rather sympathy, warmth, and song. When Rip swallows a magic draught his world unravels and swirls about him in brightly colored clay bits. It is a visually impressive and artistically astute performance. His world is stitched back together with a new slant when a wise old mountain gives him some advice about values along the lines of the lilies of the field. Very highly recommended.

I purchased this video for my students who read Rip Van Winkle. It was appropriate for my special education students.

I bought this to show my students after they read the short story. They asked me to stop the movie. Really. They would rather take a quiz than watch this. My students are in high school and they played along for a while but then things got crazy -- bizarre music, acid flashback scenes, and the worst part is that the movie tried to justify Rip's inability to take care of his own business. There was a whole segment where a talking mountain let Rip know that some things are just in this world for the delight of them--in song-- hmm, no. Rip's family doesn't even make an appearance. Very disappointed with this. Unless you are into early claymation, no, even then, skip this purchase.