The Frogs Who Wanted a King or Frogland is Ladislaw Starewicz's most cautionary tale about people wanting government to solve their problems that I've ever seen. The ironic thing is that they pray to the god Jupiter for their answers. Jupiter responds first by sending a tree stump and then a stork. Neither works out and the stork is especially dangerous to the amphibian creatures! The frogs have some human qualities when we see them dress in the latest fashions of the day and we see some take pictures or use a movie camera when the stork arrives! Like I said, this short is very much a political allegory more suitable for adults than children. In fact, I first saw this on the Rhino VHS that had Bambi Meets Godzilla. That alone should tell you what to expect here!
12 Reviews
One of Earliest Animated Political Commentary Film
springfieldrental11 November 2021
Russian animator and live action director Wladyslaw Starewicz, who made his claim to fame making stop-motion animation with dead insects, could see the Bolsheviks taking control of his county as a game-changer to his career in 1917. Following many of his movie colleagues, he eventually landed in Paris, changing his name to Ladislas Starevich since it was much easier to say in French. Besides performing camera work for several film studios in Paris, he produced several short animated puppet movies. One exceptional work, retelling the Aesop Fable story, was 1922's "The Frogs Who Wanted A King"
Starevich created the short as a parable to the situation he had escaped from in Russia. In the film, the frogs are discontented with their leaders and ask the god Jupiter to supply them with a new ruler. Just as the Russians toppled Czar Nicholas in early 1917, the public was unhappy with its new government. The frogs were unhappy with the bland character in the shape of a block of wood Jupiter had given them. They demanded a replacement. The god then gave them a more exciting stronger leader, this time a stork who loved to eat frogs. Starevich drew that analogy with the Bolsheviks and their brutal authoritative force, making "The Frogs Who Wanted A King" one of the earliest political animated commentaries on the current state of the world.
"These frogs know not when they're well off. They're almost human."
wmorrow5911 September 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Many animation buffs consider Wladyslaw Starewicz the great forgotten genius of one special branch of the art, puppet animation, which he invented almost single-handedly -- and, as it happens, almost by accident. As a young man Starewicz was more interested in entomology than the cinema, but his unsuccessful attempt to film two stag beetles fighting led to an unexpected breakthrough in film-making, when he realized he could simulate movement by manipulating beetle carcasses which he would photograph one frame at a time. This discovery led to the production of Starewicz' amazingly elaborate classic short The Cameraman's Revenge, which he made in Russia in 1912, at a time when motion picture animation of all sorts was still in its infancy.
The political tumult of the Russian Revolution caused Starewicz to flee to Paris, where one of his first productions (coincidentally?) was a dark political satire variously known as "Frogland" or "The Frogs Who Wanted a King." A strain of black comedy can be found in almost all of Starewicz' films, but here it is very dark indeed, aimed more at grown-ups who can appreciate the satirical aspects than children, who would most likely find the climax upsetting. (I'm middle-aged and found it pretty upsetting, myself.) And indeed, prints of the film intended for English speaking viewers of the 1920s were given title cards filled with puns and quips in order to help soften the sharp sting of the finale.
Our tale is set in a swamp, the Frogland Commonwealth, where the citizens are unhappy with their government, and have called a special session to see what they can do to improve matters. They decide to beseech Jupiter for a king. The crowds are impressively animated in this opening sequence -- it couldn't have been easy to make so many frog puppets look alive, simultaneously -- while Jupiter, for his part, is depicted as a droll white-bearded guy in the clouds who looks like he'd rather be taking a nap. When Jupiter sends them a tree-like god who regards them impassively the frogs decide that this is no improvement, and demand a different king. Irritated, Jupiter sends them a stork.
Delighted with this formidable new king who towers above them, the frogs welcome him with a delegation of formally dressed dignitaries. The Mayor steps forward to hand him the key to the Commonwealth as newsreel cameras record the event. To everyone's horror, the stork promptly eats the Mayor and then goes on a merry rampage, swallowing citizens at random. A title card dryly reads: "News of the king's appetite spreadeth throughout the kingdom." When the now-terrified frogs once more beseech Jupiter for help, he loses his temper and showers their community with lightning bolts. The moral of our story, delivered by a hapless frog just before he is eaten, is "Let well enough alone."
Considering the time period when this startling short was made, and considering the fact that it was made by a Russian émigré at the height of that beleaguered country's Civil War, it would be easy to see this as a parable about those events. Starewicz may or may not have had Russia's turmoil in mind when he made 'Frogland,' but whatever prompted his choice of material the film stands as a cautionary tale of universal application. Frogland could be the Soviet Union, Italy, Germany or Japan in the 1930s, or any country of any era that lets its guard down, seeks a "strong leader," and is then overwhelmed by tyranny. It's a fascinating film, even a charming one in its macabre way, but its message is no joke.
The political tumult of the Russian Revolution caused Starewicz to flee to Paris, where one of his first productions (coincidentally?) was a dark political satire variously known as "Frogland" or "The Frogs Who Wanted a King." A strain of black comedy can be found in almost all of Starewicz' films, but here it is very dark indeed, aimed more at grown-ups who can appreciate the satirical aspects than children, who would most likely find the climax upsetting. (I'm middle-aged and found it pretty upsetting, myself.) And indeed, prints of the film intended for English speaking viewers of the 1920s were given title cards filled with puns and quips in order to help soften the sharp sting of the finale.
Our tale is set in a swamp, the Frogland Commonwealth, where the citizens are unhappy with their government, and have called a special session to see what they can do to improve matters. They decide to beseech Jupiter for a king. The crowds are impressively animated in this opening sequence -- it couldn't have been easy to make so many frog puppets look alive, simultaneously -- while Jupiter, for his part, is depicted as a droll white-bearded guy in the clouds who looks like he'd rather be taking a nap. When Jupiter sends them a tree-like god who regards them impassively the frogs decide that this is no improvement, and demand a different king. Irritated, Jupiter sends them a stork.
Delighted with this formidable new king who towers above them, the frogs welcome him with a delegation of formally dressed dignitaries. The Mayor steps forward to hand him the key to the Commonwealth as newsreel cameras record the event. To everyone's horror, the stork promptly eats the Mayor and then goes on a merry rampage, swallowing citizens at random. A title card dryly reads: "News of the king's appetite spreadeth throughout the kingdom." When the now-terrified frogs once more beseech Jupiter for help, he loses his temper and showers their community with lightning bolts. The moral of our story, delivered by a hapless frog just before he is eaten, is "Let well enough alone."
Considering the time period when this startling short was made, and considering the fact that it was made by a Russian émigré at the height of that beleaguered country's Civil War, it would be easy to see this as a parable about those events. Starewicz may or may not have had Russia's turmoil in mind when he made 'Frogland,' but whatever prompted his choice of material the film stands as a cautionary tale of universal application. Frogland could be the Soviet Union, Italy, Germany or Japan in the 1930s, or any country of any era that lets its guard down, seeks a "strong leader," and is then overwhelmed by tyranny. It's a fascinating film, even a charming one in its macabre way, but its message is no joke.
LOOK OUT FOR THAT STORK!
boris-262 February 2004
A great piece of pioneering stop motion animation. Taxidermied frogs make up the cast here. A group of smark-aleck reptiles ask the Gods for a suitable President. What the Gods send down are not suitable even for bathroom monitor. The gods send down one last "candidate" and all heck lets loose amongst the frightened frogs. No, I am not tripping on airplane glue, I am describing exactly what I saw here. Great little film for adventuresome movie goers!
Creepy but amazing
planktonrules6 July 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Wladyslaw Starewicz was a Russian-born animator living in France who did incredible things using stop-motion. I've seen a couple of these films before and they feature his favorite subjects--insects, frogs and various animals. They are extremely realistic and lifelike and even today are amazing to watch--the quality is simply fantastic.
This one stars lots and lots of frogs. They appeal to their god, Jupiter, to give them a king. Why do they need a king, wonders Jupiter--their lives are perfectly fine now. So, to teach them a nasty lesson, he makes an Egret the king and one by one it starts eating its subjects! Then, the frogs once again appeal to Jupiter, who states the obvious moral that it's best to be happy with what you have!
While the animation quality is incredible, this is a very creepy film for kids. I would think this would terrify them both by how real the animals look as well as the story itself which is not for the faint of heart!
This one stars lots and lots of frogs. They appeal to their god, Jupiter, to give them a king. Why do they need a king, wonders Jupiter--their lives are perfectly fine now. So, to teach them a nasty lesson, he makes an Egret the king and one by one it starts eating its subjects! Then, the frogs once again appeal to Jupiter, who states the obvious moral that it's best to be happy with what you have!
While the animation quality is incredible, this is a very creepy film for kids. I would think this would terrify them both by how real the animals look as well as the story itself which is not for the faint of heart!
Frogs and their political ideas!
guisreis25 December 2023
Really very charming stop motion animated short film with dead frogs! It was made by Wladyslaw Starewicz, the great Lithuanian-Russian filmmaker of famous and excellent 'The Cameramen's Revenge', which had insects instead. This 'Les grenouilles qui demandent un roi' was made when he belonged to the Russian Art Society of Paris, together with other artists who opposed the Bolschevik Revolution. As he knew but a hundred years afterwads some people still do not know, monarchy is a quite bad political idea. A froggy idea. I am exploring the extraordinary aninated filmography of this pioneer and I have not watched a single bad film so far.
stork-raving mad
lee_eisenberg5 January 2017
After Władysław Starewicz fled revolutionary Russia, he moved to France, where he continued to make cartoons. One was "Les grenouilles qui demandent un roi" ("The Frogs Who Wanted a King" in English). This one features frogs who have a democracy but want a king. Jupiter first sends them a tree, but later sends the poor suckers a stork! Oh, the humanity!
One of the things that these sorts of cartoons make clear is that cartoons don't have to be "cute" stories for children. Lots of the early cartoons were downright bizarre (it was Walt Disney who decided that cartoons should be for the tykes). In the meantime, this is a pretty fun cartoon. Check it out.
One of the things that these sorts of cartoons make clear is that cartoons don't have to be "cute" stories for children. Lots of the early cartoons were downright bizarre (it was Walt Disney who decided that cartoons should be for the tykes). In the meantime, this is a pretty fun cartoon. Check it out.
Interesting only for its time
Horst_In_Translation29 August 2016
Warning: Spoilers
"The Frogs Who Wanted a King" (I won't include the French title because of spell checking) or "Frogland" is a black-and-white silent short film from 1922, so this one is already almost 95 years old and it is not that long anymore until the 100th anniversary. The writer and director of this French production was Wladyslaw Starewicz, a Lithuanian filmmaker, who was among Europe's most successful in the first quarter of the 20th century. And the fact that European animation really was not frequent around that time may be the reason why this work here is still kinda known and appreciated today. I think the looks are pretty solid for early 1920s, but not outstanding either. The story is easy to understand, but does not really offer a lot of depth. It is about a people of frogs that ask their God for a king, but what they get is not exactly to their liking. I feel kinda sorry for the frogs in here. They did not deserve that. All in all, I don't think this 9-minute short film is anything above mediocrity and that'd why I don#t recommend the watch.
One of the most beautiful animated short films ever!
Goredog11 December 2000
This one is more appropriately titled, "The Frogs That Wanted a King." Probably one of the more spectacular animated shorts I've seen, as a land full of frogs look to find unity and peace in their environment by asking God (looks like Zeus in this one)for a king. God gives them something alright, but in turn, the reproachful frogs criticize God for what he sent down. God rises in anger and reacts by bestowing the land of frogs with a king that proves to be more of a supernatural Hitler than anything else! Great fun, this political allegory hits it right on the mark. Ladislaw is incredible, and you don't have to buy all his shorts in separate installments. There is one DVD that will do the trick.
It's "political timber"
nhlgumby20 October 2005
One of Starevich's earliest films made in France is possibly his only political satire. The story of The Frogs Who Wanted A King mirrors its title as a group of high "croakers" feel that democracy has gone flat so they demand a king from Jupiter to rule their land. When he sends down a stump, the frogs ask for another king, saying the stump is but "political timber." Jupiter sends down a hungry stork this time whose frog lusty eyes devour the town's residents. As the original "croaker" is about to slide down the stork's beak, he speaks his moral: "let well enough alone." This film features a few beautiful crowd scenes of dozens of puppet frogs. Starewicz tricks the audience into believing they are all moving at once by keeping the background in constant motion and animating only about six frogs or so at one time. The slightly corny dialogue and problems with lighting in a few places diminish the quality of repeat viewings, however its historical significance in Starewicz's life make it of importance to watch. His feelings towards government immediately following his flee from Russia are likely expressed in this film. In addition, the technical accomplishments of animating so many characters at once in a stop-motion film is astounding.
Very Amusing
Snow Leopard17 August 2004
This very amusing short feature combines Starewicz's trademark animal puppets with a funny fable about government. The animation is not as stunning as it is in his finest pictures, but it is very good, and many of the frog puppets are quite amusing.
The story has the 'Frogland Commonwealth' seeking new leadership, and while the plot is deliberately silly, it is entertaining and it creates some good opportunities to use the animated frogs and other creatures. The English translations of the title cards have numerous puns, and some of these are real groaners, but others are at least mildly amusing.
"Frogland" does not have quite the masterful complexity of "The Cameraman's Revenge" or "The Mascot", but it is an entertaining, well-crafted movie that is well worth seeing.
The story has the 'Frogland Commonwealth' seeking new leadership, and while the plot is deliberately silly, it is entertaining and it creates some good opportunities to use the animated frogs and other creatures. The English translations of the title cards have numerous puns, and some of these are real groaners, but others are at least mildly amusing.
"Frogland" does not have quite the masterful complexity of "The Cameraman's Revenge" or "The Mascot", but it is an entertaining, well-crafted movie that is well worth seeing.
Good Film
Michael_Elliott2 December 2008
Frogs Who Wanted a King, The (1923)
*** (out of 4)
aka Grenouilles qui demandent un roi, Les
French puppet/animated short has a group of frogs asking for a King so that they can live better. God sends something down but the frogs begin to ask questions so God seeks revenge. This was a rather interesting little film as it certainly isn't for kids and it does fit the "weird" label where you can find it on countless compilations. This was originally meant as an anti-government thing where the director, having been kicked out of his own country, asks the viewer why would they want their government to step in when you can handle things on your own. The story is told is a rather dark and bleak manor with only light touches of comedy thrown in. I doubt kids of today would enjoy a silent, animated film but if they were to watch this then I'm sure they'd break down into tears.
*** (out of 4)
aka Grenouilles qui demandent un roi, Les
French puppet/animated short has a group of frogs asking for a King so that they can live better. God sends something down but the frogs begin to ask questions so God seeks revenge. This was a rather interesting little film as it certainly isn't for kids and it does fit the "weird" label where you can find it on countless compilations. This was originally meant as an anti-government thing where the director, having been kicked out of his own country, asks the viewer why would they want their government to step in when you can handle things on your own. The story is told is a rather dark and bleak manor with only light touches of comedy thrown in. I doubt kids of today would enjoy a silent, animated film but if they were to watch this then I'm sure they'd break down into tears.
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