MovieChat Forums > Die Abenteuer des Prinzen Achmed Discussion > Amazing craftsmanship in Prince Achmed

Amazing craftsmanship in Prince Achmed

posted 18 years ago by JamesGriswold
6 replies | jump to latest

Prince Achmed is like a fantastic dream from beginning to end. I love the asthetic of the paper cuts. The designs are very arabesque in their complexity and balance, yet it is a German film produced during the expressionist period. I've watched this movie twice and I marvel at the emotion and feeling the characters possess even as paper cut-outs. And even as paper designs, the visuals are very free flowing like good camera movements. Quite frankly I've never seen anything like it, and if more people would vote on this movie (or likely find a way to watch it) it would easily be a top 50 movie.

[–] GSmith9072 17 years ago

I agree, the characters looks and feel were amazing. So not human, but felt real and authentic. I think that is the point of animation. I'll try to spread the word the best I can.

you can't fight in here, this is the war room!

[–] mahendra373 17 years ago

this amazing film proves the truth of that old chestnut: less is more. The techinical and conceptual contraints of silhouette art are severe and yet the artists made a complex and deeply satisfying visual world for the characters to live in. And gosh, not a computer in sight, not even a committee of marketing experts and rewrite consultants and design/illo gurus hovering around-- just good craftsmanship!
let's be thankful this masterpiece is not so well-known, otherwise some Hollywood schmuck will decide to "improve" it.....

[–] GSmith9072 17 years ago

Meh, this would be a boring pointless film if anyone attempted to do that. It needs no screenplay like silent films needing no words.
I think its masterful simplicity opens up many new ideas, all animators should look to this for inspiration.

you can't fight in here, this is the war room!

[–] xenophile2002 11 years ago

I agree that this film needs no improvements. OTOH, I wouldn't at all mind a modern, big budget, live-action/CGI movie inspired by this one. It wouldn't be the same sort of film, any more than a movie is a book.

Of course, the MBBLA/CGI version could suck, but any movie can suck if it isn't done right.

In any case, it isn't likely to happen, and that's fine too. We have THIS, and THIS is really amazing.

I disagree with you, but I'm pretty sure you're not Hitler.
- Jon Stewart

[–] ganubis 17 years ago

Lotte Reiniger's work is genius, one cannot help but be blown away.

As an aside:
For anyone who really enjoys paper cut art (even that which is not animated), I would also suggest the children's books of David Wisniewsk: http://www.davidwisniewski.com/main.html (Click some book covers for some of the intricate interior art.)

Man will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest

[–] Eumenides_0 14 years ago

Visually speaking, it's one of the most impressive movies I've ever seen. The contrast between the sillouettes and vivid colors were beautiful, as was the shape of everything in the movie, from the characters to the buildings to the trees, etc. It's a masterpiece of animation.

This world is a comedy to those that think, a tragedy to those that feel.