This is one of the 10 animated films you must see in your lifetime: this masterpiece of French cinema took 34 years to see the light of day!

When we talk about the great classics of animation throughout the history of cinema, we tend to talk mainly about works created by American studios (such as Disney, Pixar and Dreamworks). We can easily cite the monuments of Japan (such as those of Miyazaki and Mamoru Oshii), or the stop motion gems of the British Aardman studios.

But what about French cinema?

A unique film

While a few years ago the AlloCiné Editorial team offered you an in-house selection of 10 must-have animated feature films for any fan of the genre, today let’s go back a little more closely to the only French entry on our list dedicated to it. Special for the film: The King and the Bird.

This feature film with the most atypical production – initiated in 1946 by Paul Grimaud and Jacques Prévér, the film would not be released in its final version until 1980! – This unique work, very loosely adapted from Andersen’s fairy tale, combines poetry, humor, philosophy and even political reflection.

• This is one of the 10 animated films you must see in your life: this masterpiece, released 15 years ago, made every viewer cry.

What is it about?

We follow the adventures of a funny and talkative bird that decided to make a nest on the highest towers of the royal palace of Tachycardia, which has the talent to anger the tyrannical sovereign of the place: King Charles V and three eight and eight make. sixteen. In addition to his conflict with the bird, the king also falls in love with a small shepherdess, whom he intends to marry, but who prefers the modest chimney sweep.

If you had to choose just one French animated film to watch in your lifetime, choose this one without hesitation (even if there are many others that are worth a detour). First because it is the first to be built in France, then because it is like no other, perhaps thanks to the combined talents of Paul Grimaud (the French Walt Disney) and Jacques Prévert, screenwriter and dialogue writer.

A work for young and old

Gifted with poetry worthy of LaFontaine’s fable, The King and the Bird makes children dream about social and philosophical issues in which their parents can identify, sometimes approaching a novel of suspense or science fiction.

At the end of a stormy production (since Grimaud and Prévert decided to leave the project in 1950 after a dispute with their collaborator André Sarut, and the first version was released without their knowledge three years later), the King and the Bird finally arrived in cinemas after 34 years, as its directors intended.

(re)discover the trailer for the film…