Das Zauberpferd

Lotte Reiniger, that superb worker in the field of silhouette animation, had directed the first animated feature, "Die Abenteuer des Prinzen Achmed" in 1926. Largely an Arabian Nights tale, Reiniger borrowed freely from all sorts of myths, legends and fairy tales for it.

In the 1950s, she was producing and directing short subjects in England and spun off this story. It combines Arabian Knights, Swan Lake and bits from the magic flute, worked with her exquisite articulated silhouettes and ornamented with chamber music by Freddie Phillips.

Although not among her best work and derivative of her earlier efforts, it is still a pleasure to see this piece and for those who are unfamiliar with Reiniger's work, an easy entree into it.