This "silhouette animation" film is, presently, the earliest available feature-length animated motion picture to have survived deterioration and/or loss. A restored version was re-released in 1999, in Germany, and a US production company commissioned a new musical score in 2001 - presumably to replace the original's lost soundtrack. Following restored credits, the story's main "silhouette" characters are introduced. "The Magician" is a powerful and ugly African villain who is looking for a beautiful young mate. "Dinarsade" is the pretty princess he desires. Our hero "Achmed" is her brave and handsome brother. "Peri Banu" is the beautiful young woman Achmed meets on his adventures. "Aladdin" is the famous holder of the magic lamp. "The Witch" is a natural enemy of the likewise powerful and ugly Magician...
The Magician uses a flying horse to trick Dinarsade's father into giving his daughter away. "The Caliph" promises any of his possessions in return for the flying house, and, of course, The Magician chooses Dinarsade. Achmed tries to save his sister, but he is tricked into flying away on the magical horse. Due to trouble navigating, Achmed gets lost in a place called "Wak-Wak". The community is inhabited by women and demons. Several of the women are smitten by Achmed. They smother him with kisses, but Achmed runs away while they fight over him. He then hides to watch Peri Banu and her girlfriends undress and bathe. To ensure maximum viewing pleasure, Achmed steals Peri Banu's feathered clothing. He abducts the frightened and naked woman - but don't worry; he's handsome, so it's all right...
If this were not all happening in "silhouette animation," there would be a restrictive (R) rating on this film. The erotic scenes are presented very well, though, and viewers of all ages and development can fill in the shadows with imagination. What does not impress is the obvious sexism; it is present in most fairy tales and fables, but the gender of this film's creator invites speculation about the strong use of stereotypes in this story. Still, animation pioneer Lotte Reiniger is technically brilliant. Taking years (1923-1926) to cut out and commit her shadowy characters to film, Ms. Reiniger gives her puppets an enduring artistic style. Reiniger's husband Carl Koch was the foremost crew person and cinematographer. Her work spanned decades, and it would be nice to see a representative collection of Reiniger's most impressive animation.
******* The Adventures of Prince Achmed/ Die Abenteuer des Prinzen Achmed (7/2/26) Lotte Reiniger, Carl Koch
The Magician uses a flying horse to trick Dinarsade's father into giving his daughter away. "The Caliph" promises any of his possessions in return for the flying house, and, of course, The Magician chooses Dinarsade. Achmed tries to save his sister, but he is tricked into flying away on the magical horse. Due to trouble navigating, Achmed gets lost in a place called "Wak-Wak". The community is inhabited by women and demons. Several of the women are smitten by Achmed. They smother him with kisses, but Achmed runs away while they fight over him. He then hides to watch Peri Banu and her girlfriends undress and bathe. To ensure maximum viewing pleasure, Achmed steals Peri Banu's feathered clothing. He abducts the frightened and naked woman - but don't worry; he's handsome, so it's all right...
If this were not all happening in "silhouette animation," there would be a restrictive (R) rating on this film. The erotic scenes are presented very well, though, and viewers of all ages and development can fill in the shadows with imagination. What does not impress is the obvious sexism; it is present in most fairy tales and fables, but the gender of this film's creator invites speculation about the strong use of stereotypes in this story. Still, animation pioneer Lotte Reiniger is technically brilliant. Taking years (1923-1926) to cut out and commit her shadowy characters to film, Ms. Reiniger gives her puppets an enduring artistic style. Reiniger's husband Carl Koch was the foremost crew person and cinematographer. Her work spanned decades, and it would be nice to see a representative collection of Reiniger's most impressive animation.
******* The Adventures of Prince Achmed/ Die Abenteuer des Prinzen Achmed (7/2/26) Lotte Reiniger, Carl Koch