Wonderful article! I honestly only knew the broad strokes about how Rankin-Bass operated, and I appreciate knowing the context to what made this film hit so different. I'm so glad Beagle liked the film in the end.
Also fascinating to know this is what Topcraft did right before Nausicaa. Who knows what they'd have gone on to make if Miyazaki and his gang hadn't swooped in...
Fascinating behind-the-scenes dive! I'm surprised to hear the box office returns of The Lord of the Rings 1978 film be described as "mediocre" when it grossed over $32 million on a $4 million budget. The adaptation's critical response when it was released, however, could certainly be considered mediocre.
Can't say I loved this film on my first watch but there's something about the melancholy and weirdness of this era that captures my attention nonetheless. When I saw this in my inbox I couldn't wait to read more! So fascinating to hear about the less-artistic (production/distribution) part of making animation too. And Kubo's art??? WOW!
This is such a blast from the past. I forgot all about this movie and the impact it had on my imagination during my formative years. What a treat to read!
Wonderful article! I honestly only knew the broad strokes about how Rankin-Bass operated, and I appreciate knowing the context to what made this film hit so different. I'm so glad Beagle liked the film in the end.
Also fascinating to know this is what Topcraft did right before Nausicaa. Who knows what they'd have gone on to make if Miyazaki and his gang hadn't swooped in...
Fascinating behind-the-scenes dive! I'm surprised to hear the box office returns of The Lord of the Rings 1978 film be described as "mediocre" when it grossed over $32 million on a $4 million budget. The adaptation's critical response when it was released, however, could certainly be considered mediocre.
Can't say I loved this film on my first watch but there's something about the melancholy and weirdness of this era that captures my attention nonetheless. When I saw this in my inbox I couldn't wait to read more! So fascinating to hear about the less-artistic (production/distribution) part of making animation too. And Kubo's art??? WOW!
I adore this film, and this was a wonderful retrospective on it. I love the novel, but my favorite parts are brought to life in the adaptation.
Love to see the concept art and storyboards. Thanks for sharing!
Alan Arkin, the Oscar winner who played Shmendrick, passed away recently
This is such a blast from the past. I forgot all about this movie and the impact it had on my imagination during my formative years. What a treat to read!
🤩😊