O Flautista de Hamelin

Probably Jiří Barta's most famous movie, "Krysař" is his own, very twisted (but fully relevant) version of "The Pied Piper". And it's like no version that you've ever seen.

We all know that Hamelin is overrun with rats, but this requires further explanation in Barta's interpretation. You see, the people are no better than the rodents: greedy, lusty, and often violent towards each other, the inhabitants of Hamelin are absolutely vile (except for the lone woman and a fisherman). But the actual rats present an impressive scenario. Far from the killing machines that the story often makes them out to be, these rats appear to be really clever, always figuring out ways to steal the humans' belongings.

As for the piper himself, he comes across as a sort of otherworldly presence, especially because of what he does at the end. But it's the only thing that he can do. Hamelin, meanwhile, looks like something out of a 1920s German movie.

Another movie version of the story that I've seen is one in which Donovan plays the piper. That version pertains more to the Bubonic Plague, which is probably what the original story centered on. This one is an analogy for a morally bankrupt society. The repulsive decadence that has taken over Hamelin is beyond redemption.

So this is truly one that I recommend.

KRYSAR is a wonderfully dark, adult version of THE PIED PIPER, brought to life through stark, expressionistic, stop-motion animation.

In keeping with the original tale, the gluttonous, greed-driven townsfolk have a bit of a rat problem. These rodents are presented as dog-sized beasts, scurrying about, stealing anything they can snatch.

Director Jiri Barta has created a macabre, surreal world that is striking and bleak. Its jagged structures are gothic (check out those gargoyles!) and labyrinthine, providing plenty of places for the rats to hide. The people are very angular, somewhat robotic forms, that range from comical to frightening. The rats are the true stars, and are given ample opportunity to show what they can do to cause mayhem. It's obvious that a lot of time and effort went into this masterpiece!

The titular Piper is a mysterious, cloaked figure who arrives like a great wizard or an avenging specter.

Special mention must be made of the bizarre musical soundtrack, especially toward the end. As odd as it is, it fits the action perfectly.

This works because it's a fantasy that plays like a horror film. Highly recommended...

As if it's brief running time or its oddly unique visual design weren't enough for this version of THE PIED PIPER not to be seen widely (especially by children - the nominal audience for "fairy tales"), KRYSAR has some ghoulishly Brothers Grimm imagery to boot. Too bad. This is an excellent extended short subject directed by Jirí Barta who's style may remind one of Jan Svankmajer or the Brothers Quay, without appearing derivative at all. KRYSAR follows the Pied Piper legend fairly faithfully - though with some notable Grand Guignol twists and horrific visions - until its final, unexpected, last act which I won't spoil. It's this final "topper" which separates this version from the pack - In addition to its visuals. The Visuals! Amazing and detailed wood-cut puppets that have a fluidity of motion that, at times, can be mesmerizing. The only flaw in the Visuals, is the use of paint accrection landscape paintings. Not that the "moving, flowing" artwork isn't well-rendered, they just don't mesh with the stop-motion animation - or the live rats!

Jiri Barta's 1986 Pied Piper is a quintessentially dyspeptic, adult piece of Eastern Euro animation whose take on the classic morality fable is even more misanthropic than Jacques Demy's version. Here, a medieval town of avaricious, gluttonous bourgeoise is overrun by rats (the only live-action element, adding an extra grotesque dimension). Instead of a mischevious minstrel, the Piper who rids them of those pesky vermin is more like a cruel avenging angel-when betrayed, his bitterly ironic redress departs considerably from the tale's usual ending. Complete with stop-motion puppet rape and murder, these stunningly visualized 55 minutes are not quite apt for children.

Who are the greatest masterminds that come to mind when you think of mature and macabre animated movies? Undoubtedly Tim Burton ("Corpse Bride", "Frankenweenie") and the acclaimed Henry Selick ("The Nightmare before Christmas", "Coraline"). From the lesser obvious countries perhaps also Sylvain Chomet ("Les Triplettes de Belleville") and Fernando Cortizo ("The Apostle"). But has anyone ever heard of the Czech craftsman Jirí Barta? No, and admittedly I hadn't either, but "Krysar" - his interpretation of the infamous fairly tale "The Pied Piper of Hamelin" - is truly one of the most visually astounding and uncanny animated movies ever made.

To be honest, I'm very biased. "The Pied Piper of Hamelin" has always been my favorite bedtime story. I consider it one of the tales that laid the foundation for my unhealthy interest in horror and morbidity ever since childhood. "The Pied Piper" is simply one of the eeriest tales ever written, and especially the versions that were going around during my childhood years were a lot grimmer and more disturbing than the other fairy tales.

Barta clearly thought so too, and he even adds several dimensions of fright and nightmarishness to his vision. The town of Hamelin is a crooked and petrifying place, inspired by the German expressionism of the early 1920s. Take one distant look at Hamelin, and you'll find yourself catapulted straight back to the era of "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari". All the inhabitants of Hamelin, with only one notable exception, are loathsome figures. They are cold & selfish creatures, only interested in money and profitable economics, and they are definitely scarier than the rats that are gradually infesting the rotten and crooked houses from underneath the ground. The rest of the film is fairly loyal to the original story. The mysterious piper appears and offers a solution to the rat-infestation in exchange for a reward, but the greedy Hamelin town-council refuses to pay. The piper's payback, however, is slightly different again, and surely the main reason why this isn't a movie suitable for children (except maybe those with an early appetite for horror).

The sinister designs of the town and the characters are beyond impressive, and the stop-motion techniques used to bring them to life are absolutely flawless. The dinner party held amongst Hamelin's most elite town members is a sheer expressionist nightmare to behold. The inhabitants also speak an inexistant language, but you don't have to understand anything to know they're solely communicating about money, power, and corruption. "Krysar" is an indescribable viewing experience, and thanks to its modest running time it only takes one hour of your life. It's worth that, what are you waiting for?