'The Golden Fish' is another recently encountered adaptation of 'The Fisherman and His Wife', the others being Soyuzmultfilm's version (excellent) and Rabbit Ears Productions' (excellent as well, though quite dark by their standards). While the original story is not one of my all time favourites, its timely message has always been laudable and actually still relevant and whenever the story is adapted (which it isn't done enough to be honest) it is done remarkably well.
Jiri Trnka's version is no exception. It is not one of his best short films (not like 'Song of the Prairie' and 'The Devil's Mill') and is nowhere near being one of his best overall ('The Hand' gets my vote as his best), but that is because his best work is so brilliant. It is still very well done and adapts the story well enough, having its own spin without straying too far. Trnka's style is unmistakable and is all over 'The Golden Fish' without swamping anything else.
It isn't perfect. Some of the drawing is on the static and stiff side at times.
Pacing isn't always there too, with it feeling a little rushed towards the end.
However, 'The Golden Fish' mostly looks fine, though not one of Trnka's best looking. The backgrounds are typically nicely detailed and the colours are vivid and atmospheric. While there is stiffness and a static feel at times the characters don't look too cheap or crude. The music fits very well mood-wise and appeals on the ears orchestrally. The charm of the story is also intact, and the messaging is neither too preachy or too mean-spirited while still making its point.
Moreover, the narration does intrigue and moves the story along nicely forward, not bogging it down like it did a little too much in 'The Emperor's Nightingale'. The characters are defined well, especially the fish who has always been the most interesting character in the original story anyway. The narration is beautifully and fittingly voiced and doesn't dumb down or confuse the storytelling.
Summarising, very well done. 8/10.
