The Thief and the Cobbler
The Thief and the Cobbler

Movie spotlight

The Thief and the Cobbler

1993
Movie
72 min
English

Princess Yum Yum falls in love with Tack and saves him from being executed. Later, when the protective orbs of the palace get stolen, Tacka and Yum Yum set out to find them and save the kingdom.

Insights

IMDb7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes92%
Google Users87%
Director: Richard WilliamsGenres: Animation, Adventure, Family, Fantasy

Plot Summary

In the fantastical city of Shabaz, the tyrannical Grand Vizier Zigzag schemes to marry Princess Yum-Yum and conquer the kingdom. To achieve this, he plans to destroy the city by filling it with deadly golden drachms, forcing the populace to abandon it. However, his plan is thwarted by the unlikely duo of a nimble thief and a humble cobbler, who must overcome Zigzag's elaborate traps and formidable strength to save the princess and the city.

Critical Reception

The Thief and the Cobbler is a legendary animated film with a troubled production history, with various versions existing due to decades of unfinished work. The 'Recobbled Cut' by Garrett Gilchrist, using existing footage and animation, is generally regarded as the closest realization of Richard Williams' original vision and has received critical acclaim for its breathtaking animation and unique artistic style, despite its narrative fragmentation.

What Reviewers Say

  • Widely praised for its stunning, intricate animation and groundbreaking visual artistry.

  • Acknowledged as a visionary, albeit fragmented, masterpiece that showcases unparalleled dedication to traditional animation.

  • Commended for its unique character designs and ambitious, surreal storytelling.

Google audience: Audience reviews highlight the film's incredible visual spectacle and the sheer artistry of its animation, often calling it a forgotten gem. Some viewers note that the story can be a bit disjointed due to its long and complicated production, but the visual splendor generally makes up for it.

Awards & Accolades

None notable (due to its fragmented release and multiple versions, formal awards are scarce, though it is revered in animation circles)

Fun Fact

The film was in production for over 25 years, with periods of significant work and long hiatuses, making it one of the longest and most famously troubled productions in animation history.

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