10/10
Powerful & Profound
9 March 2001
In the days before World War One, a lonely traveler in a desolate part of the Alps encounters THE MAN WHO PLANTED TREES - and his life is forever changed...

This gentle & beautiful Canadian film, based on the story by Jean Giono, is a flawless combination of subject & style. Presented impressionistically, the animation revels just enough to engage the imagination. The story, about an uncomplicated shepherd whose soul is at peace with God & who stolidly accomplishes a remarkable task, is profound emotionally & spiritually.

The narration by Christopher Plummer, in the English version, is perfection; soft & seductive, it wraps around the viewer & entices him further into the story. The final gleam on this little jewel was the introduction & epilogue provided by James Earl Jones for its PBS presentation.

This deeply satisfying drama was the winner of the 1987 Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.
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