Here's Lotte Reiniger's version of the Hans Christian Anderson story, about a Chinese princess locked in a tower, a fisherman who rescues a magic fish and is rewarded with a flying trunk, and the revenge of the butterflies. To those who grew up with the fairy tales whose elements this short subject incorporates -- Rapunzel, a giant beanstalk, a lover who lies about his status -- this may seem like a mishmash. In truth, mythographers group fairy tales by themes, and during the 19th and early 20th centuries, recorded thousands of variants told by peasants from all over, tales told by grandmothers to their grandchildren, which likewise stuck these individual elements together in bewildering variety.
None of which has anything to do with why you should watch this Lotte Reiniger short subject. While not among her best, the elaborate construction of her silhouette figures is always a joy to see, with their graceful details and humorous constructions. This may not be the best of Miss Reiniger's shorts to introduce a new viewer to, but f you have a taste for her work, it will not disappoint.
