It is a sad fact that the approaching release of the animated film The Little Prince seems more poignant than ever in light of recent events – based, as it is, on the classic French novella of the same name, by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. He wrote the beloved tale in 1943, when France was under siege from the oppressive Nazi regime, which sought to control and destroy the distinctive way of life of that country, and many others.
While this adaptation – written by Irena Brignull (The Boxtrolls) – is an updated version of the story, it clearly captures the essence of the novella’s message about peace, individuality and creativity, as we can see from the new trailer.
One of the most striking aspects of this latest preview footage is the beauty of the animation, which has retained the style of the illustrations from the source material. This choice on the part of the filmmakers gives the sensation of being inside the very pages of the story – something which heightens the emotional experience for the audience.
The Little Prince features the voices of Jeff Bridges, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, James Franco, Paul Rudd, Benicio del Toro, Paul Giamatti, Ricky Gervais, Albert Brooks and Bud Cort, and is released in cinemas on March 18th, 2016 – not a moment too soon for such a beautiful story.
