oOoBarracuda
Stanley Donen took on the task in 1974 of bringing the magical story of The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery to life. Gene Wilder, Richard Kiley, and Bob Fosse bring to life the tale of a stranded pilot and a prince from another planet in a beautifully magical film delighting audiences since its debut. Telling life only in the way a little boy, and a man who never lost his magic can, The Little Prince should be required viewing for all human beings. Pilot (Richard Kiley) is stranded in the middle of the Sahara Desert when his plane breaks down. He believes to be alone until he happens upon a little boy, The Little Prince (Steven Warner) who has traveled to the Sahara from another planet. His planet, Asteroid B- 612, is ill-equipped to care for the only rose it has ever grown. This rose is so special to The Little Prince, he stops at nothing to care for it. Leaving his planet he travels to a strange planet with borders that he must have documentation to pass through. He also learns of people that dress up in their country's flag to fight other people on another planet. The Little Prince also meets a man called a historian (Victor Spinetti), whose job it is to make things up, and a man called a Business Man (Clive Revill) who can claim ideas as his, as long as he thinks of them first. Finally, when he meets The Pilot, The Little Prince shares pieces of his journey, reigniting the magic that inspired him to become a pilot in the first place. The Little Prince also tells The Pilot of his meeting with a snake (Bob Fosse) who said that he could help him get back to his planet, with a steep price. A fox (Gene Wilder) also does a great deal of teaching to The Little Prince by illustrating to him that even though there are billions of people in the world, the ones we tame, that are close to us, are special. Doing a great deal of teaching, The Little Prince imparts much-needed knowledge on The Pilot, and the audience, before parting ways. The Little Prince is a fantastic piece of cinema. The story and the lesson is lost on no one. We believe we are so free on planet Earth because we are so used to the absurd things that we do. Once we really evaluate the behaviors and habits we take for granted we can see how preposterous they are. For instance, we kill other human beings over areas of land based on lines people have drawn on a map that we had nothing to do with. Seeing big issues like this, at their core, through the innocence of a child is something that all adults should do more often. The Pilot's story is also crucial. When we are children, we see infinite possibilities around us, and we are gifted with our own rich fresh perspective on the world around us. As we age, we are taught how we are supposed to see the world, and abandon any notions that don't fit in with what is societally appropriate. We would do the world and ourselves a favor by never forgetting that no one else in the world has the same perspective we do, and no one else will look at the same thing the same as someone else, if that does happen, we have failed and lost what makes us unique. Never lose your pilot, and never stop drawing your own version of an elephant inside a boa constrictor. Gene Wilder's role in The Little Prince was short, but one I am so thankful for, as I probably would never have seen this movie if it wasn't for his part in it. He played a fox, in human form, and did so remarkably. He excelled at the sharp quick movements of a fox, both in facial expressions and body movements. His rapid yet fluid actions made me aware of a brand of physical acting that I didn't know he excelled in. Wilder is also the most perfectly gentle soul that I can imagine to play such a heartfelt gentle part. Another film that if often left unnoticed in a rundown of Wilder's work, yet one that carries such an important message to the human spirit. The Little Prince should not be missed by anyone on this planet, or any of the others.
tlgeiger62
I saw this movie when it came out in 1974 at Radio City Music Hall. I was about 10 and while I didn't necessarily grasp the deeper meaning presented, I fell in love with the film and did seem to appreciate it for what it was trying to teach about human nature and our capacity for love, trust and understanding. Here I am now (older and experienced) and the message of course has more weight for me now that I've lived life and experienced love, betrayal, human understanding and human shortcomings. I'm looking forward to receiving a used copy of the film which I will watch and share with relish.I see now they are remaking the film which is to be released in 2015(with James Franco God help us) and can't help but wonder if it will be murdered. Oh well...I highly recommend it but keep in mind it was done in the 1970s so...buckle up!
Fernando Torres
It's very difficult to make a movie based on a book, especially when the book is a masterpiece. I must say this movie does this perfectly well. It transmits you every value, emotion and message of Saint-Exupéry's book. I saw this movie when I was a child, and it moved me that time. But now, being 41 years old, it continues moving me and making me remember that every man is a child too, or should always be. The actors are great. Every scene catches the message of the original book. The role played by Gene Wilder (as the Fox) really touches. The music is superb! What else can one ask of a film? I give this movie more than 10 points!
cbcerteza
I have read the book a couple of years back and when I stumbled across this VCD of The Little Prince, I snapped it up straight away.While watching the movie, I was so enchanted with the innocence of the little prince. The film made me realize that even as a adults we should not lose our child-like qualities. The movie is very touching, especially when Gene Wilder (the fox) and Steven Warner (The Little Prince)were sitting together and the prince is about to say goodbye and the next scene was the fox sitting on a wheat field. I was on tears really! Also the part when the Prince was bitten by the snake and the pilot carried him to his plane...In my opinion...the little prince did not die...he was a reminder to the pilot of his lost childhood.I recommend this movie to young and old alike...especially to students who have read the book...also to the students who finds it hard to appreciate literature...this movie will certainly encourage so many people to appreciate films (of substance!) and literature.
