The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship

THE FOOL OF THE WORLD AND THE FLYING SHIP is probably Cosgrove Hall's most recognizable and charming story ever featured. Making its debut appearance on the PBS series, LONG AGO AND FAR AWAY, this story is truly a classic that both adults and children will love for many years.

THE FOOL OF THE WORLD AND THE FLYING SHIP is a beautiful tale about a young man named Pyotr who's kindness towards an old man and with help from six unusual super humans, eventually leads him to the Czar's winter palace so that he can take the Czar's daughter hand in marriage.

The animation is superb as the creators effectively use puppet animation to make this story more creative and realistic to look at. This story will be an instant treat for the young and old and also check out for the Rabbit Ears' version of this tale, narrated by Robin Williams which is called RABBIT EARS- THE FOOL AND THE FLYING SHIP.

If you have enjoyed "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer" and those type of animated films, you will enjoy this slightly more cultured approach and your older children too. Though I don't know of such russian fairy tale as it explains it does, this must be a european or scandinavian version of such, if any.

I reviewed this film many years ago when it came out on videocassette for School Library Journal. As the other reviewer stated, the animation was extraordinary for 1990; the entire production was beautiful including the sets, the puppets' clothing, the voice-over acting; the narration by David Suchet, etc. Based on a Russian folktale, the production stays true to Russian culture of a by-gone era. Young peasant boy Pyotr receives aid from magical beings and people in order to fly a magic ship to the Czar's palace. There he hopes to win the hand of the princess by accomplishing three impossible tasks. I still own the videocassette as this is still one of the best animated films I have ever seen.

A silly, greedy Tsar is taught a valuable lesson in humility by the six very peculiar friends who arrive at the Kremlin with THE FOOL OF THE WORLD AND THE FLYING SHIP.

This old Russian folk tale, - produced by Cosgrove Hall, masters of the art of stop-motion animation - is most enjoyable viewing. The intricacy of the tiny costumes & sets are fascinating, while the amount of personality infused into each character model is quite remarkable. The boisterous humor of the scene depicting the banquet of the Forester's Wife is a special highlight.

The production is helped tremendously by the splendid voice cast. David Suchet narrates, Jimmy Hibbert voices the hero Pyotr, while several old pros - Maurice Denham, Robin Bailey & Miriam Margolyes among them - lend their considerable talents.

I saw this when it came out in the early '90's and was very impressed by the animation, voices and story. The kids will like the adventure while adults will appreciate the way each character is uniquely portrayed. And it even teaches the kids about greed and friendship.