Elephant's Child

Truth be told, I only sought this out on first glance of this being listed, between the likes of Prizzi's Honor and Witches of Eastwick, as one of Jack Nicholson's projects in the 1980s here on IMDb. Don't ask me why he was involved, or why he did such an unusual trip into doing a narration of a children's story (by the great Rudyard Kipling, sure, but still). It's not even listed in Five Easy Decades, his most recent and comprehensive autobiography! But for what it's worth, Nicholson is Nicholson here, and then some - it allows for him to spread out as an actor into all shapes and sizes of characters (a snake, a crocodile, a monkey, a bird, and of course the baby elephant), and he pulls it off better than anyone else could.

The style of this video reminded me- and brought me back nostalgically to- these videos that used to be released from Jim Henson productions called the Muppet Baby Video Storybook. Those, like Elephant's Child, had a narrator over a story being told (in those cases Kermit the Frog) over a lot of animated stills that were shot with some swooping and careening camera movements and some nifty child-friendly music. For Elephant's Child, this is pretty much the same deal, as we are taken into the story of a little elephant baby who keeps getting spanked for his "insatiable curiosity", as it were, and soon comes of age by getting his nose caught by a crocodile. It's a very charming story, and with the kind of dialog and wording that one wouldn't usually find in other children's stories (the snake, for example, sounds like a poet laureate compared to Kaa from the Jungle Book).

It's amazing to see that the story even has some darker issues, like child abuse, and revenge (however in the most playful and innocent ways it would appear), but all told in such a sunny and fun way that it's good for the entire family (yeah, that recommendation, but it's true, if only for the shock for parents that it really is Nicholson, in character(s), doing this narration). It's also a treat having the "Don't Worry Be Happy" guy doing the music, as it adds just a nice touch of rhythm without getting in the way. If you can somehow find this, it's actually not too bad for the patient little guy or girl, whomever that might be, and for Nicholson die-hards it's the curiosity of a lifetime, even more captivating, in a way, than his obscure B-movies from the 60s.

'The Elephant's Child' is an adaptation of one of thirteen origin stories forming Rudyard Kipling's 'Just So Stories'. 'Just So Stories' is deservedly considered a children's literature classic and is even more deserving of being one of Kipling's most celebrated works. Of the thirteen stories, which have a playful tone, good lessons and tell how certain animals got certain features, 'The Elephant's Child' appears fifth and is wonderfully adapted here. It also is actually one of my favourite ones as it's one of the more playful Just So tales and one of the most adventurous ones.

'Just So Stories' has been proven to lend itself very well to animation, and while the stories began as bedtime stories adapting 'Just So Stories' in animation form is a good way to introduce the book to children. Proven in Rabbit Ears Productions' adaptation of 'The Elephant's Child'. So successful was this rendering, to me it's one of Rabbit Ears Productions' finest, that the company would adapt two more of the 'Just So Stories' stories the following year. With the same illustrator and composer and also with Jack Nicholson as narrator and also 'How the Leopard Got His Spots' in 1989.

Animation is simple but very effective and extremely charming, the use of still imagery being moved throughout scenes not being gimmicky or abused. The use of colour is striking. The music is always harmonious with what is going on and enhances the story even, it is also very appealing on its own with its whimsy and in keeping one in a good mood.

On the writing front, 'The Elephant's Child' is a triumph. A huge part of the 'Just So Stories' charm is the masterfully playful use of language that translates with ease into the adaptation and never in a going through the motions just getting the job done way, a lot of fun was clearly had here. The story is incredibly charming and the sense of adventure that the original story has also translates very well and in an exciting and accessible way. Any moralising too doesn't resort to preaching and never comes over as too disturbing.

While there are more relatable (am quite big on this as one can tell in my other reviews, as that is one of the things that helps me get invested into a story) characters in other Rabbit Ears Productions' outings, the characters are still very well written and have lost none of the characteristics that they have in the original story. Jack Nicholson's narration is silky and enthusiastic, he doesn't overdo it and he approaches the story and prose exactly as they should be approached. Meaning in a bedtime story and no-nonsense way, considering that is how the story and the rest of the 'Just So Stories' began and were always intended by Kipling.

In conclusion, wonderful. 10/10

Before going into the review I have to warn you eventual readers that I never read the Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling but I seeked this short out because I was nearly over with the Jack Nicholson movies tho here he only narrates. It was a pleasant surprise since in the previous two days I saw two of Nicholson's slowest movies despite the star-studded casts (THE LAST TYCOON and REDS).

ELEPHANT'S CHILD is about how the elephant passed from a stubby nose to the trunk for which they are widely recognised to this day. It focuses about a baby elephant that is too curious to the point that ends kicked by all the other animals (ostrich, giraffe, hippopotamus and baboon) and also beaten by the other elephants of his herd. He then goes to the crocodile and he bites his nose up to the point of transforming it in the trunk we know today. Now with a trunk the baby elephant has his revenge on the animals that mocked him and also on the other elephants.

The narration by Nicholson is certainly a surprise. After all, you would never imagine him reading a children's story but he is flawless nonetheless. The music by Bobby McFerrin was also a nice add and it helped make this telling of the story very 1980s.

Overall, a nice short mostly recommended to all animal lovers. That's all.

Rudyard Kipling's story, "Elephant's Child" is a most peculiar half hour. This is because, of all people, Jack Nicholson narrates the story...and he's someone you'd never expect to be reading the kiddies a bedtime story! And, unfortunately, although he's an amazing actor, here in this children's story, his reading isn't particularly inspiring. In fact, it's VERY low energy and isn't something I'd recommend folks rush out to see.

The story is a 'just so story'...one of several originally written by Kipling for his daughter. "Elephant's Child" is probably the most famous of them and it tells how the elephant went from having a short, stubby nose to the long trunk we associate with them today. The story itself is fun and I recommend it...though I think there are better versions, such as Sterling Holloway's recording of the story. His voice is just better suited to telling children's stories. Additionally, the music by Bobby McFerrin isn't exactly to my liking.