"The Selfish Giant" is a 26-minute animated short film from 1976, so this one had its 40th anniversary last year and this is perhaps today the most known work by writer and director Peter Sander and the reason is that this was nominated for an Oscar, where it lost to a much shorter, much funnier, but maybe less meaningful little movie. We talked about that one on another occasion, so now let us get back to this Canadian film we have here. It is the story of the title character who sees when returning home after a while that a lot of children are playing in his front yard. His selfishness results in him chasing the kids away quickly, but the consequences are much more serious for him than for the kids as the spirit of spring would not come to see him because he is so selfish, so it stays winter near his house until he finally opens up and becomes a better person. Inner warmts is essential for outer warmth if you want to say so I guess. The message the film is sending is easy to appreciate. The overall thing is based on a short story by Oscar Wilde. The animation and visual style may not be for everybody I guess, but I found it not too difficult to appreciate it. The music some may find awkward as well, but again I liked it somehow and it fit nicely together with the visual side and story. All in all, definitely one of the deeper short films from the 1970s. British actor Hecht did fine with the narration too, even if he may not be as famous as his French narrator equivalent for example. I'd not necessarily call this a Christmas story, but more of a winter story, so you can also see and appreciate it in January or so. Maybe even in July. Certainly a thumbs-up from me and I suggest you check this one out. Recommended.
Review of The Selfish Giant
