Raymond Briggs' The Bear/The Animal Train
by Raymond Briggs
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DVD details
Director: Raymond BriggsBrand: Miramax
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 55 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-12-09
Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Studio: Miramax
DVD Reviews of Raymond Briggs' The Bear/The Animal Train
DVD Review: Narration is Terrible, Ruined a Good Thing
Summary: 2 Stars
When we first watched this as VHS with my daughter (several years ago) it was wonderful! The images and music combined to tell the story and also let her figure out what was happening on her own, using her imagination. In this version, the narration tells the story for you, so kids don't have to think, but not only that - it ruins the soundtrack and is very distracting. At some points it's hard to hear, so it sounds like someone talking just loudly enough to be disturbing. The vocals, so lovely during the skating scene, are now shortened and relegated to the background, barely audible, and the narration continues as someone talking over the music. I wish it had been left alone with just the images and the music as it was first made. It was much better then. If I could return this one, I would. Very disappointing!DVD Review: Another Raymond Briggs' magical winter journey that is enchanting and heart-warming!
Summary: 5 Stars
Raymond Briggs' "The Bear," originally released in 1999, is a delightful holiday spectacle that is unfortunately often overshadowed by the popularity of the previous Briggs' masterpiece, "The Snowman" (1982). It is true that there are many similarities between the two films; both take small children into the adventure of a lifetime in a magical winter wonderland, neither one relies on dialogue but instead on a lovely musical score, as well as a beautiful original song. Still, this is no reason to put "The Bear" aside because, as much as I loved "The Snowman" and as much as I believe that it is nothing short of a masterpiece, I somehow find parts of "The Bear" to be stronger in some ways.
Shortly before Christmas, a girl named Tilly drops her beloved Teddy Bear into the polar bear exhibit during a visit to the city zoo. That very night, Tilly practically cries herself to sleep as she misses her friend, and no other can replace him. Later that night, an enormous polar bear appears inside her very bedroom. The two become fast friends, but keeping such a large creature hidden from her two parents proves difficult. Tilly bathes the bear and offers him some food, in return, the polar bear carries her away into the streets of her own city, which are now empty and turned into a magical wonderland. Together, Tilly and the bear wander the streets, witnessing magical displays of lights and dancing and sliding on the ice at the park. The two are then joined by the enchanting apparition of the Ursa Major. When danger comes near, the polar bear is there to save Tilly, until the two must part; the bear leaves on a voyage to return to his home, at the North Pole. The Ursa Major is there to take Tilly home, who holds on to a small star shining bright in memory of her adventure.
"The Bear" is simply a delight. I personally found the visit to the lonely city streets during a cold winter night more magical than the snowman's visit to the North Pole in the 1982 film. The animation in "The Bear" is also as magnificent as that in "The Snowman," with its soft and warm storybook-like drawings and vivid colors. The story is very touching, and the ending manages to feel both happy and sad, once again, just like in the 1982 film. I found the musical score to be wonderful and very nicely combined with the action and animation. The song, "Somewhere A Star Shines For Everyone," beautifully sung through "la-las" during the ice dancing scene, is bound to kindle a Christmas heart and give it that magical holiday feeling, at least that's what it did for me. I should also point out the direct reference made to "The Snowman," as Tilly and her family sit to watch that particular film on TV, and viewers of "The Bear" are rewarded with a small bit of its lovely theme music.
So in conclusion, "The Bear" is definitely worthy of a full-score rating, because I believe it is all it could have been, if not more. It is definitely a holiday treasure I'll cherish as much as "The Snowman," and a number of other holiday classics. After several viewings, I've never been disappointed and have not found any flaws with it, so I'll just say that "The Bear" is definitely one to add to the Christmas film collection. Highly recommended!
DVD Review: disappointing
Summary: 1 Stars
The original cut of this video was breathtaking, and a magical part of my children's early childhood. We lost the original in a move, and were so happy to find it again in DVD format. Well. Somewhere over time, it was decided to add a narration that utterly ruins it. Now we have Dame Judi Dench in a voiceover that made my daughter groan, "it's like adding a sports announcer to a beautiful ballet". The music and animation told the story in a simple and artful way that is now ruined for us. What a shame.DVD Review: cute and relative
Summary: 5 Stars
It was a mere dream that we all as kids would want to come to life.DVD Review: The Bear
Summary: 4 Stars
We enjoy this story a break from the Disney/Villen movies.
Description of Raymond Briggs' The Bear/The Animal Train
RAYMOND BRIGGS' THE BEAR: Here's the delightful animated film based on the popular children's book about a young girl named Tilly who visits the zoo and accidentally drops her teddy bear into the bear exhibit. That night, Tilly cries herself to sleep, only to wake ad find a huge polar bear standing before her ... as he gently presents her with her beloved teddy bear. So begins a magical friendship with humorous complications ... This heartwarming, beautifully rendered tale from the creators of THE SNOWMAN -- and featuring the voice of Academy Award(R) winner Judi Dench (Best Supporting Actress, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, 1998) -- brings home the message of love, friendship, and giving. THE ANIMAL TRAIN: It's Ben's bedtime, but staying up with his parents to watch a TV show about endangered animals seems a lot more fun. Later that night, Ben awakens to discover that his stuffed dog, Jim Jam, has come to life, and so has his toy train! Bursting with excitement, they climb aboard for a magical tip around the world to save endangered animals. Based on the Parents' Choice Award-winning book, "Oi! Get Off Our Train," THE ANIMAL TRAIN delivers fun, laughter, and important reminders about our environment.The Bear
Raymond Briggs's popular children's book The Bear is neither as famous nor as cherished as his popular tale The Snowman. Both wintertime stories allow a child to go on a fantasy journey, and more importantly, both videos embrace a lost art: the wordless narrative. Tilly spies a new polar bear at a London zoo. That night she dreams the bear visits her house. Besides being a good snuggler, the bear presents many problems to Tilly--from leaving droppings around the house to being a challenge to bathe. Soon Tilly and the bear ride through the crisp Christmastime night, encountering another magical bear--Ursa Major, or the Big Dipper. Briggs's elegant message of friendship is beautifully brought to life in this 25-minute production featuring music by Howard Blake.
The Animal Train
Little Ben receives a gentle lesson about conservation in this 1999 BBC-Miramax co-production based on John Burlingham's book Oi! Get Off Our Train. After staying up a bit too late watching a TV show about endangered animals with his folks, Ben dreams of a magical place where he, and his trusty stuffed dog Jim Jam, are in charge of a train that winds though the earth's habitats. Young viewers Pre-K to elementary school age are introduced to clear-cutting, poachers, and other issues that are endangering animals around the world. Burlingham's wonderful color palette makes the 29-minute short wonderful to look at, while the talking animals have enough personality to insure that kids will demand repeated viewings. --Doug Thomas
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