During the 1930s, the British Post Office was a major producer of short subjects -- which they continued into propaganda shorts throughout the Second World War -- especially animation. So it was almost inevitable that they would hire Lote Reiniger, the wonderful silhouette animator, who produced this little fable of a young couple who fall in love; she is being forced to marry a rich old man by her father, and so he wanders in despair through the mountains until he comes upon some fairies who.... well, that would be giving the ending away.
If you are at all familiar with Lotte Reiniger's work, you will not be surprised to be told that it is magnificent and surprising. If you are not, be aware then, that silhouette animation will call for you to attend closely and feel like an eavesdropper. Enjoy the old story, the beauty of the lace-like beautiful people, the humor of the long and twisty-bearded old people. It's less than five minutes, so even if you are foolish enough to not love it, it's no great investment of time.
If you are at all familiar with Lotte Reiniger's work, you will not be surprised to be told that it is magnificent and surprising. If you are not, be aware then, that silhouette animation will call for you to attend closely and feel like an eavesdropper. Enjoy the old story, the beauty of the lace-like beautiful people, the humor of the long and twisty-bearded old people. It's less than five minutes, so even if you are foolish enough to not love it, it's no great investment of time.
