Gulliver’s Travels
Directed by Dave Fleischer
Written by Edmond Seward, Dan Gordon et al base on the immortal tale by Jonathan Swift
1939/USA
Fleischer Studios
First viewing/Netflix rental
[box] [repeated line] Gabby: There’s a giant on the beach![/box]
The creators of Popeye and Betty Boop are worthy competitors to Disney in the feature animated film department.
The story is very loosely based on the Lilliputian episode in Swift’s novel. Gulliver washes up on a beach where he is discovered by town crier Gabby. But Gabby can’t get a word in edgewise to report his discovery because the King of Lilliput and the King of Blefiscu are too busy arguing about what song should be sung at the wedding of their son and daughter. The argument escalates to war and the King of Lilliput finally hears when he understands that having a giant as an ally might be a very good thing. Gulliver is more inclined to be a peace maker though.
I enjoyed this. The songs are catchy and the animation, particularly the roto-scoped animation in the Gulliver scenes, is striking. It’s not quite up with Disney’s work of the same period but almost. I got the Blu-Ray edition as a rental and the restoration looks beautiful.
Gulliver’s Travels was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Original Song (Faithful Forever) and Best Original Score (Victor Young).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRVLQfhwUz4
Trailer
