The Adventures of Prince Achmed

A film by Lotte Reiniger DVD Review

While I was reading some books on the subject of animation, The Adventures of Prince Achmed was mentioned quite reverently. This piqued my interest and when I saw it on the library shelf, I simply could not pass the chance to behold it for myself.

As I popped the DVD in, I knew virtually nothing of the film. It is only after the opening sequence that I understood that this film is a silhouette animation. The black shadow play on an often intricate background seemed to me a lot like a glorified Wayang Kulit (or Shadow Theater) back in Malaysia. Great cares are given to the characters' design to bring out their personalities, and their costumes are complicated yet elegant. Perhaps in this day and age such method of presentation is nothing new, however the real magic of the film lies in its imaginativeness and flawless storytelling.

The story of the Arabian Nights may be familiar,but seeing these wonderful back lighted paper cut-out given life is really enchanting. Combined with the orchestral background music, the sheer imagination and humor, the characters' emotion are very well expressed. From the moment the Evil Sorcerer plotted to have the princess' hand to the adventures that befell Prince Achmed and Aladdin, the moment where the lovers tasted despair to the moment where love and light triumph, I was spell-bound to keep rooting for the heroes.

The film was made close to a century ago and premiered on 23rd September 1926. It has no spoken dialog besides some captions between the scenes. What fascinates me is how clearly the idea was conveyed simply through the character's body language and gestures alone on a 2 dimentional plane. Such good story telling is indeed timeless, the work of a truly great animator.

Besides the immensely entertaining film, the DVD also included a documentary on Lotte Reiniger, the ingenious creative mind and hands behind the film. This special feature that serves as a homage to the pioneer and inventor of the Silhouette film, documents Lotte Reiniger's life from childhood all the way through to her death at 82. All throughout the documentary, I can see a woman who is true to herself all the way, entirely passionate about what she does and tenacious in pursuing her dreams. Together with her husband and partner, Carl Koch as well as many other friends and supporters, she continued to churn out many quality feature films and shorts throughout her lifetime, even through the hardship of the world war. Hers was a life that was fully lived. For aspiring animators or any artists, this dedication and love for not only one's work, but life itself is inspiring.

The Adventures of Prince Achmed is a jaw-dropping work of art and definitely an ageless animation classic that every animator should see.

~Written on 1 Feb 2008 (Fri)
Here are some links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventures_of_Prince_Achmed
And of the great pioneer, producer of the oldest surviving piece of animated story.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotte_Reiniger