João e o Pé de Feijão

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?

This Japanese animated film directed by Gisaburo Sugii was released originally in 1974, and although the animation has aged over the years it still manages to be genuinely sinister and rather unsettling for young children. Personally, my overly-active imagination ran riot with fear after watching this when i was little. I recently came across a VHS copy of it in a second hand shop and after watching it again, i realized that it still manages to give me shudders now. The plot is relatively the same as the original story, however at the top of the beanstalk Jack encounters an enchanted castle inhabited the Princess Margaret, who is betrothed to the giant, Prince Tulip the son of the most frightening witch since the wicked witch of the West, the evil sorceress Hecuba ( who has a penchant for eating children!)and who has placed Margaret under a powerful spell. Jack is aided by his pet dog Crosby and a gaggle of enchanted mice who were former courtiers of the castle,to break the spell placed upon the castle and Margaret, whilst still finding time to find the goose that lays the golden eggs, and talking harp and as well as other castle riches! There are a number of songs scattered throughout the film too, including Margarets ballad " Nobody's happier than i". It features some classic Japanese animation and some truly sinister set-pieces, the scene in the wedding chapel in which Hecuba makes guests out of paper gave me chills when i was little as did her original entrance. Its creepy and worth seeking out.

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.

Me and my brother (see Footplex's entry) have loved this movie for years and will continue to do so.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* WATCH THE MOVIE BEFORE READING THIS REVIEW

The imagery is amazing: despite the fact I've seen this movie well over 30 times the final confrontation between Madam Hekuba (sic) and Jack, never fails to leave me in awe. Also the Preparation for the wedding with the paper guests (watch it to know what I'm talking about).

The music: The haunting sweetness of the song "no one's happier than I"* Stays with you for days on end. And also Madam Hekuba's "any sort of clock"*.

But when the 2 elements come together they work magic: The frightening "Are you happy?"* sung by the paper minister as the Bride and Groom contemplate their futures together. Crosby singing to the beanstalk. And "Miracles can happen"* when the plant raises to the sky is breath taking.

This film is wonderful, but the only down points I can see is when Jack has the songs i.e. the (far to silly) "Tulip."* And Jacks song "Simple Farmer Boy"* and "All of it is due to me."* It seemed as though his songs were thrown in to try and lighten the darkness of the film.

But because of the GREAT story the wonderful songs and..... interesting use of sound effects and dubbing I give this film a 100 out of 10 (i know it's not mathematically possible but this is MY review)

*I don't know what the official titles for these songs are so I took a guess.

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! *****