Little Ears: The Velveteen Rabbit

THE VELVETEEN RABBIT, the beloved plaything of a little boy, wants nothing more than for the child's love to help him become a real rabbit.

From the folks at Rabbit Ears comes this gentle version of the classic Margery Williams story. Its dreamy atmosphere should be appreciated by viewers young & old.

Meryl Streep gives an excellent narration, quietly telling the tale with her soothing voice. George Winston's tinkling music & David Jorgensen's beautiful drawings complement the production perfectly.

Margery Williams' 'The Velveteen Rabbit' is a truly beautiful book. It was a favourite in my childhood-early teenage years, being captivated by its charm and emotional impact as well as relating so much to the lead character. As a young adult, my feelings on 'The Velveteen Rabbit' are exactly the same and actually love it even more, it is more touching now and one realises how deep the themes and story are in a way not noticed as much when younger.

1984's 'The Velveteen Rabbit' is the first of Rabbit Ears Productions' numerous animated adaptations of popular children/family literature. There were a number of gems in the company's output in all three series of theirs produced. 'The Velveteen Rabbit' is one of those gems and to me it's one of the best of their output. It does this amazing story perfect justice, is very faithful without being overly so and captures the book's spirit beautifully. It also manages to be wonderful on its own terms.

'The Velveteen Rabbit' is beautifully animated, very elegantly drawn with a lot of atmosphere in the colours. The animation is an interesting one, with the use of still images moving throughout scenes. Some may consider that limited, not to me and thought it elegant in its simplicity while finding too that it didn't come over as too much of a gimmick over-used and abused. The music is also very soothing and fits the dream-like understated atmosphere of the story perfectly and even enhances it.

It is a beautifully written adaptation too. Very sincere without being over-sentimental and it doesn't get over-serious. There is nothing here that comes over as cheesy and it was clearly written with respect for its audience of a wide range. The story has the charm and childhood innocence, but more importantly the magic is there and 'The Velveteen Rabbit' doesn't trivialise the deep content of the book. Did find it genuinely moving in parts and appreciated that it never tried too much and told the story gently.

As said, the main character is worth rooting for, as is the whole theme of learning the true meaning of being real. Meryl Streep's tender tones as narrator here is just perfect for the story, exactly what has always been in mind by me whenever reading 'The Velveteen Rabbit'.

Overall, really wonderful and anybody that looks the book will love it. 10/10

Don't bother with the newest retelling of this on Apple TV!

This 1985 version with narration by Meryl Streep adhere so closely to the text of the original story by Marjorie Williams, that you cannot go wrong Add to that the beautiful animation that appears to be based on watercolor paintings, and the gentle piano accompaniment, and you have an altogether touching vintage experience for both young and old! I have always liked that nowhere in the story is there any mention of any kind of deity!

Anytime I read or listen to this story I'm in tears pretty much all the way through it, and this was no exception.

You can watch this for free on YouTube, huzzah!