MovieChat Forums > The Enchanted Forest (1945) Discussion > Enchanted Forest

Enchanted Forest

posted 20 years ago by skybird1218
5 replies | jump to latest

For the first time since I was six years old, I recently saw, The Enchanted Forest. I am in awe of its simple beauty as much now, as I was way back then. That little boy (Billy Severn) was adorable, and so effective in his role as the lost child raised by the hermit. The old hermit, Harry Davenport, of course, carries this film with his perfectly understated acting, and deservedly so. And those animals!
This film makes me wonder how anyone could ever harm an animal, or cut down a tree, especially a giant redwood.
The "cinecolor," a cheaper version of technicolor, is perfect here, also. Makes it all the more surrealistic.
I'm so glad this is available on DVD. It goes on my wish list for Christmas.

[–] sluggoboy 20 years ago

I watched it last night on TCM and thought it was great. Three cheers for Bruno. Cinecolor? I wondered what the process was. It was like it was shot through an incredibly thin layer of gauze. Very effective.

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] greenbudgie 9 years ago

This is a rare one. I've never seen it before. But Film 4 have just shown it. Beautifully set in nice washy colours. Lovely viewing for anybody who loves nature.

[–] ceceoh 7 years ago

I just discovered this on Amazon Prime. It was interesting to find a film from 1945 referring to climate change and forest conservation. 71 years later and were having the same debates.

I was also happy that The King of the Air made real eagle sounds, instead of having Red-Tailed hawk cries dubbed in. :)

[–] joes119-1 7 years ago

I saw it in the 40s in elementary school and hated it! The forest seemed a prison with the 'visitors' allowed to leave for their sunshine and fine clothes while the kid lived in rags and shade. I found it on Prime recently and was just as disgusted as I was all those years ago. The hermit was an abusive doofus. You can't find a kid and keep him!