Armand
despite the large slices of kitsch, despite the not inspired moments and the mark of period spirit, it is a lovely film. a fairy tale in charming clothes, a beautiful demonstration of imagination, a lovely use of fantastic and good cast. it is far to be perfect but its sins seems be so adorable than nothing is real wrong. a movie like a spring wind, not serious but poetic, with Catherine Deneveuve not in her best role but doing enough for create a funny one, with Jean Marais in convincing king looking his perfect wife - the cat-throne is the inspired detail -,with musical moments who are not the best but represents not bad humor examples. message from a lost world, its sensitivity is far to be lost.
Sandcooler
Talking flowers, red horses, bizarre musical numbers and a girl walking around in a donkey carcass, this is my kind of movie. The great prince may look more like a glam rocker than anything else, and the plot may not make a lick of sense, but it's still a pretty magical tale. Many of the scenes are rather surreal, and some scenes look like the entire crew just broke out of rehab, but if anything that just makes the movie more exciting. As for content, it's just weird. It's a classic love story, but it's told in such a peculiar way that for the most part I just stared blankly and pointed at the screen. Still, it's a very entertaining movie. Also comes with the most surprising helicopter appearance in movie history.
adrian290357
I first watched this movie at 14 and I had forgotten most of it when I got hold of the DVD. From the start I could tell that the movie had an unusual angle, and that is was deconstructing the traditional fairy tale - but it went far beyond that and one of its qualities is that it never takes itself seriously. Deneuve is as stunning as ever; Perrin, Marais and especially Seyrig are most effective in supporting roles; the music is really gentle but highly effective; and the direction inspired. I think it is a film with far more to teach than critics would believe or allow. I am glad I found this film and saw it again. As for my kids, they felt it was far more advanced than anything kids see these days.
writers_reign
This is at once ravishing, enchanting and sumptuous, a fairytale told the way fairy tales should be told with a cast of heavy-hitters led by Catherine Deneuve and featuring Jean Marais, Micheline Presle, Jaques Perrin and Delphine Seyrig. To those who only know him as the top-and-tale narrator of both Cinema Paradiso and Les Choristes Perrin will be a revelation as a handsome leading man, a genuine Prince Charming as called for. As a lyricist Demy made a great director but one can't have everything and banal lyrics are a small price to pay for a gem like this which cleverly contrasts the fabulist setting of the castle - looking strangely like the one in Les Visiteurs du soir - with the Breughel-like crowds in the second kingdom where Deneuve finds work as a scullion. One to own on DVD.
AD
