recommended

The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

Lotte Reiniger, that superb worker in the field of silhouette animation, had directed the first animated feature, "Die Abenteuer des Prinzen Achmed" in 1926. Largely an Arabian Nights tale, Reiniger borrowed freely from all sorts of myths, legends and fairy tales for it.In the 1950s, she was producing and directing short subjects in England and spun off this story. It combines Arabian Knights, Swan Lake and bits from the magic flute, worked with her exquisite articulated silhouettes and ornamented with chamber music by Freddie Phillips.Although not among her best work and derivative of her earlier efforts, it is still a pleasure to see this piece and for those who are unfamiliar with Reiniger's work, an easy entree into it.