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Flone on the Marvelous Island
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Animation - 8.0 |
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Sound - 7.0 |
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Story - 9.0 |
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Character - 9.0 |
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Value - 9.0 |
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Enjoyment - 9.0 |
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Average - 8.5 |
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petran79 |
(2008-04-14 08:39:11) 2008-03-30 14:28:10 |
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| Average |
8.5 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
7 |
| Story |
9 |
| Character |
9 |
| Value |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
| It is not a coincidence that 3 of the novels adapted into Meisaku series ("Swiss Family Robinson", "Heidi" and "The Black Brothers") were written by Swiss authors, while 1 series ("Annette, Girl of the Alps" based on the excellent children's novel "Treasures of the Snow" ) was taking place in Switzerland but the author (Patricia St John) was British, though she lived in Switzerland.
Switzerland was the breeding ground for Education and Paedagogy and as a result of that children's literature there couldnt be better. If you include also the adaptation of "Little Men " into anime and also "The Sound of Music" and "Cuore" was well, then younger viewers who watched such series couldnt be offered a better choice.
Also surprisingly the great care put into the technical and artistic aspects of those series is so obvious that despite 15-30 years have passed, the series havent lost any of their charm and remain a favourite for many viewers who watched them then and recently.
Since they are broadcasted often in various languages and are also available dubbed on DVD it shows how popular they are.
In the 80s and early 90s there wasnt that distinction between Japanese and non-Japanese cartoons and the word "otaku" outside Japan didnt reach the extremity of today where if you are a newbie in order to be initiated you are forced to watch various mediocre series that get countless votes and you're not allowed to criticize them while gems such as this remain unpromoted.
Originally a 1981 French-Japanese co-production (same year with Ulysses 31). A year later the similar in theme movie, "Deux ans de vacances", based on J. Vernes novel, was produced by Toei, of which I had very fond memories as a child.
Y.Kuroda, the director of Flone, would in 1987 also direct a movie based on the same novel for Nippon Animation, which I havent seen yet.
J.Vernes novel also deserves a series I think.
Now I havent read the original novel "Swiss Family Robinson". I've read only the book that inspired it and since it is one of the masterpieces of world literature I dont need to comment further. But I'll give it a read if I find any time. Many years ago I also watched a movie based on the novel where the family have a plane instead of a ship.
The series was criticized that it doesnt reach the quality of the series of the 70s but I tend to disagree. It would be unfair to compare this series to the previous because the theme is different. It is about survival rather than living in an urban or rural settings where so many things can happen in one day. Here the interactions are between 5 people and they have to find a way to survive in the island where even the simplest thing taken for granted in an urban settings can take months to be accomplished in a deserted island. In this respect I think the script writers have done excellently, keeping the tension of what is going to happen for most episodes.
The only other WMT series with a similar theme, which I havent seen, are the awarded "Lucy of the Southern Rainbows" (I cant find the book by Phyllis Piddington anywhere) and "The Bushbabies" (I've only read the very good book).
The first 5 episodes introduce the characters and their life in Switzerland and I have to say they are the least interesting. Till the moment they board the ship and the shipwreck, the series gets better.
Now if you think about survival anime series you'll have your typical anime characters who have to fight monsters, get along with each other in angsty moments, the settings can be in spaceships etc. For this better read or watch "Lord of the Flies". But here you can forget about anime. The characters are real life people, without the usual clicheed dialog.
The series has many messages to teach to young viewers. All the things we take for granted today can change suddenly and only then will we appreciate them. Especially the bonds between a family can change. Also animals here are not depicted just as pets or mascots as in other cartoons. Even if the goats were taken from Heidi, the donkey from Marco, the dog from Dog of Flanders and the Cuscus reminds a little of Rascal,they all fulfill a role showing the viewers to respect them and not just tease them. In one scene Flone even befriends a bat.
And all this without the least showing of unnecessary violence. Because it shows the Robinsons hunting or having to abandon some animals in the ship. Whereas the PC cartoons today would not dare messing with animals rights.
Of the characters all are unique, with Flone being the main character. The quality of character development is what made good anime in the 70s and 80s stand out. Whereas now only crisp image and CGI matter and the characters have to utter just a few clinically executed words.
Overall the settings are very realistically portrayed and animated. The difficulties the Robinsons face are as close to reality as possible. From building a shelter to plowing a field and protecting it from animals, from finding water and replacements for lamps, shoes and pistols, from building a ship and trying to escape. You will not find any complaint regarding the story. All is very convincing. Some moments left me mesmerized at how the series turned out so good and original for an animated one.
The last episode was a little dissapointing but had I judged anime from the first and last episode and the OP and ED, then I would have a completely different favourite anime list
One of the older classics, still timeless since it is broadcasted and where parents should watch with their children ( I missed this as a child unfortunately) and older viewers should watch this to see why new anime does not appeal ithat much except in the technical aspects
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