I have to say that I never read the book in which this animated television movie was inspired, and I didn't saw in any other movie adaptation of this story (Apparently, there was also a stop motion animated film directed by Jiří Trnka done in 1955.)
Anyway, I found this to be a decent animated flick, which despite the darkness of its setting (After all, the story takes place during the years of the First World War) and some instances of black comedy, it manages to be an incredibly lighthearted movie (At least considering what one would normally expect from a war film) It had a neat animation style, with simple but well made designs and a great work of sceneries. The characters were funny and likable and had an interesting interaction between them.
The ending was a bit rushed, but it seems that it is a fairly common thing among television movies and specials (Additionally, it seems that the source material was left unfinished, so the nature of the ending seems justified at least.)
Even when it is labeled as a "family" film on IMDb I'm sure that adults would appreciate it more than the kids.
Anyway, I found this to be a decent animated flick, which despite the darkness of its setting (After all, the story takes place during the years of the First World War) and some instances of black comedy, it manages to be an incredibly lighthearted movie (At least considering what one would normally expect from a war film) It had a neat animation style, with simple but well made designs and a great work of sceneries. The characters were funny and likable and had an interesting interaction between them.
The ending was a bit rushed, but it seems that it is a fairly common thing among television movies and specials (Additionally, it seems that the source material was left unfinished, so the nature of the ending seems justified at least.)
Even when it is labeled as a "family" film on IMDb I'm sure that adults would appreciate it more than the kids.
