L'homme qui plantait des arbres

Animation is not a favorite genre of mine but this film took my breath away. I believe I first saw it at a film festival. The animation is done with the light, breathy movements of an impressionist painter. The narration of Christopher Plummer in the English version is so fitting in tone and style to the story, I became totally engrossed in every word. The story itself is beautiful; a soft, warm story, with just a touch of something timeless and magical to bring a tear to one's eye. It touches the soul. I pray that this film will once again become available for purchase; I was fortunate to purchase one copy of the English version in VHS but it has since become unavailable.

"the man who planted trees" stunned me. it's been a long time since i cried with joy for an idea ... a very deep, satisfying spiritual experience.

i've wanted to see this movie since i read that TAKAHATA isao -- co-founder of studio ghibli, director of "grave of the fireflies," producer of MIYAZAKI hayao's works "nausicaa of the valley of wind" and "laputa: castle in the sky" -- takahata wrote a book about "the man who planted trees," he was so moved by it.

i'm not associated with them, but i think "direct cinema limited" distributes the video in the united states.

I can't remember the last time I was so moved by an animated film. It is truly a work of art, lyrical, and inspired. The story is a very nice parable, but the way it was told by the artist here is incredibly moving. Many years of work (eight?)by the team of animators headed by Frederick Back created this 30-minute film. Only the loving product of the heart and of the right brain could yield art like this. Christopher Plummer's voice evokes the wise elder of the film's subject, and the music provides a background that blends well with the gentle crayon and charcoal drawings that form this work, but it is the drawings that are the centerpiece, in my opinion, although some might say it was the story. The work moved me to tears without any of the manipulation of most modern films. I could imagine children and teenagers being inspired and moved by this, also, and I think it should be shown to all children. I echo other viewers' recommendation that this would make a wonderful gift for someone you love, at any age.

It is the ultimate masterpiece ever created in animation film making. Made by one simple man, Frederic Back who never reached this top since. I wish everybody could see it. The world would probably be a better place to live.

THE MAN WHO PLANTED TREES was the Academy Award winning Best Animated Short for 1988. However, I did not see the original French language version (narrated by Philippe Noiret) but the English language one (narrated by Christopher Plummer). Plummer's voice was very sweet and melodious--perfect for this gentle little film.

The film is a supposedly true story about an odd man who lives in the middle of nowhere--planting trees and living very contentedly with the land. To heighten the effect, the film is gorgeously hand rendered using what appear to perhaps be colored pencils--making a wonderfully colorful and artistic tapestry--something you could never achieve with traditional animation. Perfect for the film and truly an amazing piece of art--like something that should be in a museum exhibit.

A lovely little tale about ecology and mankind. It's not exactly exciting--see it for its beauty and for its strong emotional impact. If by the time you've finished watching this film if you aren't touched, then you are probably dead!