Animated Epics: Beowulf

My review won't be long but the animation was good. The animation added more emotion to the actual poem. The difference is that you actually have a visual guide through the poem now. I rated this a 7 because I don't care for the monster part of the story, but the type of animation used portrayed a specific style that high lighted the Anglo-Saxon theme. They also had good sound effects and the emotion was played well through the voice actors. Sometimes I would prefer to watch the animation over the poem, however I believe the book was better. But I would consider recommending this to a person who likes mostly visuals and the summary of a story.

Considering how many cinematic versions exist for Beowulf, amazingly enough this 30 minute animated version is about the only one to cover the epic poem correctly. For those desiring to see the poem come to life, this would be the choice. It covers the fight with Grendel and the Dragon most true to the poem. Don't be swayed by golden-covered actresses or Scottish hunks--this animated version swiftly, though a bit surrealistic at times, covers the great monster story. The animation is a bit sketchy and rough at times, but the narration is quite well done. This is an especially helpful version for showing to students or for those wanting a quick version of the classic tale.

This is a delightful retelling of the Anglo-Saxon tale, which is set in Denmark and Sweden, and contains nothing English whatsoever, using animated graphics; half narrated, half enacted with the spoken voices of several well-known British actors, including Derek Jacobi and Joseph Fiennes. Quite short, at 27 minutes, it is infinitely more true to the original than the recent productions by Zemeckis and Sturluson. There are no silly interpolated extra characters, sub-plots, or post-modern interpretations of the story's "meaning". The monsters are traditional, shapeless, scary and mysterious. The mead-hall is splendid and magnificent. Beowulf is noble, brave and gentle. All aspects are left unexplained: things just happen and the viewer is free to read whatever interpretation he feels like into the events. Consequently it is really more intellectually stimulating than the big-budget films. Although it is violent, there is nothing distasteful about any of it, and should be suitable for older children as well as adults. I was left wishing it had been longer.

I just saw the animated short a few minutes ago for the first time. I say first, because I intend to purchase it. I teach Senior English, and this film is about to become my newest tool. This is an excellent retelling of the Beowulf legend. The story is intact (except for a few of the bits of background), and the surreal animation lends to the storyteller's voice perfectly. The art is just vague enough (except for the arm scene) that it leaves enough to the imagination to still keep the fairy-tale/legend/campfire-story quality of oral tradition.

It kept the monster's body-count high, but the art was mild enough that I didn't mind allowing my six-year old to watch it with me (proof that even a story as violent as this can be told without an abundance of gore).

It is Beowulf.

The essential episodes, the steps of story, the fights and the portraits of characters. You feel the emotion of first lecture of poem and yozu can use it as introduction for young people, discovering the epic.

From voices to drawings - inspired the last for image of Grendel and its mother - to treasor and the fight of Beowulf against dragon, all works just in poetic manner, with inspired subtle details.

Easy to define it as correct version and, indeed, it is one but it offers more than a good job.

In short, admirable scene by scene and proper for gratitude of the inspired translation of original spirit.