Tom, Crosby und die Mäusebrigade

This cartoon version of Jack and the Beanstalk creeped me out when I was younger. The music (Paper cut out people singing "Are You Happy?")was very eerie and insane for a kids cartoon. The guy who sells the beans...he was a couple sandwiches short of a picnic. The Witch and Tulip were about as psychotic a pair ever drawn. I especially love the part where he crushes her under his foot and she's made of clockwork...weird! As for the animation, it's very good and the story surrounding the original concept of JATB is pretty creative. They just don't make 'em like this anymore. I'll let my kids watch this before I subject them to the crap Disney's been churning out for the past decade or so.

It's funny how the film sticks with you. I've asked everybody I know if they remember it, but I always got blank stares, so much that I thought I'd imagined the film and the brilliant songs. How can I get a copy? If anyone has it, can it be put on the computer or downloaded?

A young boy named Jack climbs a giant beanstalk and stumbles upon a city in the clouds ruled by an evil queen.

I have never really enjoyed anime. Some is alright, but even the hugely successful and popular films just do not really resonate with me. This one is different. The animation is certainly interesting, with only the princes really looking like what I expect from Japanese artists. So that helps, that multiple styles were used.

But this is also just so clever. Taking a classic tale, adding in music and lyrics, and a bit of a mystical twist. This is less about stealing fro ma giant than about saving a kingdom. Can "a simple farm boy" handle the task?

It's probably been about 5 years since I've seen any part of this movie, but as a kid I watched it so much it must be branded into my memory. Simple yet atmospheric animation (the Japanese are really good at making something dark and forboding, aren't they?) this movie defined my tastes for cinema as a child. After watching this at about 4 years old I had basically went for darker and more deeply symbolic movies (Yes, it's true, TV does warp kids minds, but give them something like this and they'll be better for it!) I can't say I haven't changed much and I wish I hadn't lost the copy I had of this movie, but if you can find it, more power to you! *****

I grew up with this film, watching it every time I visited my Nan & Grandad, who had it on video. My sisters, cousins and I remember it with great fondness, although our parents thought it was 'creepy and weird'. It holds some original characters as well as the traditional Jack, the giant, the magic harp etc. The plot starts off as we all know it, with jack buying some magic beans of a stranger, planting them and the beanstalk growing over night. Jack climbs it to discover a land where a beautiful princess, her castle and all those who live there are kept under a spell by the giant and his evil mother (?). The mice are fun and loveable characters, probably my favourites. There is a feast of enjoyable songs, one of which ('No one's Happier Than I') I often find myself humming, even to this very day. Unfortunately my Nan sold the video at a car boot sale ten years ago and I haven't found a copy since. It's a very rare find if you do. Your kids will treasure it.