1992's 'Rip Van Winkle' is one of the American Heroes and Legends adaptations from Rabbit Ears Productions' childrens/family literature series. It is also the second Washington Irving story Rabbit Ears Productions adapted, the other being 1988's 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' narrated by Glenn Close. It was interesting seeing how a slight but haunting and thematically fascinating (though the portrayal of women in the story may not bode well for some present day readers) story would be adapted.
'Rip Van Winkle' here is adapted brilliantly. As much as people may read this with scorn, of the versions seen of the story (need to see more), this is the best. Remarkably it manages to be faithful to the story, in detail and in spirit, without being too faithful that it risks being wordy or lacking in momentum, and gets the atmosphere just right. Which is amazing as 'Rip Van Winkle' is a pretty mature story. It also adapts it in an accessible way, in a way that the whole family can enjoy.
The visual style is simple but very easy on the eyes, do agree that it is like looking at beautifully drawn and atmospheric book illustrations. Which is something that Rabbit Ears Productions always went for in all their adaptations, a simple (but not too limited) but rich in detail and colour visual style that was technically diverse depending on the adaptation. In this regard the second half is particularly well done and when things get more mysterious.
Jay Ungar's music is hauntingly beautiful and full of pathos and understated but atmospheric use of instruments. Ungar has grown on me overtime after for a while finding some of his work over-exposed, and this is the sort of music of his that should be made more widely available. Have always loved Anjelica Huston as an actress, and she does wonderfully as narrator, especially in the second half. Very soothing and sensitive, very like reading a bedtime story to a child as they go to sleep, as well as in full command of the material and never too much of one tone.
Writing is always engaging, with some humorously satirical moments but also poignant ones. It also does very well at not over-simplifying while making a clear effort making Irving's text approachable, it may be hard to understand at first but on repeat visits comprehension becomes easier. The story may be slight but it didn't feel over-stretched, it lends itself well to 30 minute animation (it would be more problematic if feature length though). It's fun to begin with but becomes quite moving and haunting once the titular character wakes up. Despite his laziness, Rip Van Winkle is a compelling character and it is easy to relate to him later on if you are one that doesn't like any kind of change and is further unsettled if it's a lot and big (am one of those people). The portrayal of the wife was not a problem with me, when you consider the time the story was written in.
Overall, wonderful and one of my favourites actually of Rabbit Ears Productions' American Heroes and Legends adaptations (the other being 'John Henry'). 10/10
'Rip Van Winkle' here is adapted brilliantly. As much as people may read this with scorn, of the versions seen of the story (need to see more), this is the best. Remarkably it manages to be faithful to the story, in detail and in spirit, without being too faithful that it risks being wordy or lacking in momentum, and gets the atmosphere just right. Which is amazing as 'Rip Van Winkle' is a pretty mature story. It also adapts it in an accessible way, in a way that the whole family can enjoy.
The visual style is simple but very easy on the eyes, do agree that it is like looking at beautifully drawn and atmospheric book illustrations. Which is something that Rabbit Ears Productions always went for in all their adaptations, a simple (but not too limited) but rich in detail and colour visual style that was technically diverse depending on the adaptation. In this regard the second half is particularly well done and when things get more mysterious.
Jay Ungar's music is hauntingly beautiful and full of pathos and understated but atmospheric use of instruments. Ungar has grown on me overtime after for a while finding some of his work over-exposed, and this is the sort of music of his that should be made more widely available. Have always loved Anjelica Huston as an actress, and she does wonderfully as narrator, especially in the second half. Very soothing and sensitive, very like reading a bedtime story to a child as they go to sleep, as well as in full command of the material and never too much of one tone.
Writing is always engaging, with some humorously satirical moments but also poignant ones. It also does very well at not over-simplifying while making a clear effort making Irving's text approachable, it may be hard to understand at first but on repeat visits comprehension becomes easier. The story may be slight but it didn't feel over-stretched, it lends itself well to 30 minute animation (it would be more problematic if feature length though). It's fun to begin with but becomes quite moving and haunting once the titular character wakes up. Despite his laziness, Rip Van Winkle is a compelling character and it is easy to relate to him later on if you are one that doesn't like any kind of change and is further unsettled if it's a lot and big (am one of those people). The portrayal of the wife was not a problem with me, when you consider the time the story was written in.
Overall, wonderful and one of my favourites actually of Rabbit Ears Productions' American Heroes and Legends adaptations (the other being 'John Henry'). 10/10
