- “Once upon a time there were four little rabbits, and their names were Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail and Peter.” So begins the first of Beatrix Potter’s Original Peter Rabbit TalesTM, which have been translated into 35 languages and have achieved international success in more than 117 countries worldwide. The beautiful illustrations are magically brought to life in this captivating series, including
“Once upon a time there were four little rabbits, and their names were Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail and Peter.” So begins the first of Beatrix Potter’s Original Peter Rabbit TalesTM, which have been translated into 35 languages and have achieved international success in more than 117 countries worldwide. The beautiful illustrations are magically brought to life in this captivating series, including a live action introduction featuring Niamh Cusack as Beatrix Potter, specially tailored for each story. Each episode invites us to join the exciting adventures of a beloved group of characters, including Benjamin Bunny, Jemima Puddle- Duck and of course, Peter Rabbit!Beatrix Potter takes her rightful place alongside Walt Disney and the Brothers Grimm as a storyteller for children of all ages, as this delightful boxed set demonstrates. The collection includes nine 30-minute animated tales (tails?) of Peter Rabbit and crew, originally–and lovingly–produced for the BBC. In The Tale of Peter Rabbit, our dear incorrigible friend Peter, along with siblings Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail, is left alone for the day by their mum, who tells them to go have fun but to stay away from the garden of mean Mr. McGregor (“Your father had an accident there; he was put in a pie by Mrs. McGregor”). Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail mind their mum, but Peter, of course, is off on a grand adventure, and quicker than you can say “camomile tea,” he gets the fright of his life, and a rather upset tummy to boot. Yet Potter’s morality tales are not didactic, and the misbehavior is all too human (or lapine). Other beloved Potter characters captured in this set include Tom Kitten, Jemima Puddle-duck, Mrs. Tiggy-winkle, Samuel Whiskers, and Pigling Bland. All will make fast friends with young first-time viewers as well as bring sweet memories to adults who haven’t read the original books in years. Potter is known as much for her delicate artwork and beautiful watercolors in her books as for the yarns themselves, and The Beatrix Potter Collection preserves and gives homage to her artistic skill. While the animation isn’t technically zippy, it’s perfectly suited to Potter’s art and the stories themselves, which are allowed to unfold gently, without quick-cut editing or elbow-in-the-ribs setups. Also delightful is the music, unhurried and sweetly melodic. Settle in with some nice currant buns and enjoy. –A.T. Hurley
Buy “The Beatrix Potter Collection” For Only $21.92
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March 19, 2010
#1
The product itself is fine. The production and annimations are good; the voice of the story tellers are good. An enjoyable and entertaining DVD. The first shipment of the product, a 3 DVD set, came with two of the same DVDs. I had to re-order and the second order proved to be OK.
March 19, 2010
#2
A writer and illustrator of children’s books, Beatrix Potter provided the world with such memorable characters as Peter Rabbit and his three sisters Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail. Nine of her stories were made into short films (about a half-hour each) and these comprise this boxed set.
Animated … with live-action intros and exits … these nine movie shorts capture the heart of Beatrix. Rabiits, mice, birds, cats, and other animals are given human personalities, voices, and … troubles. Mr. McGregor’s garden is, for example, a big trouble spot.
The quality does vary from film to film … both in their production and Beatrix’s writing … with the adventures of Peter Rabbit (a very naughty bunny), Benjamin Bunny, Mrs. Tittlemouse, and Jemima Puddle-Duck being, I think, the best ones.
But if you want to watch charm and innocence in film, these Beatrix Potter stories are for you.
March 19, 2010
#3
Mr. Badger and Mr. Tod are drawn in a much more dark and villainous manner than I think Beatrix Potter would have portrayed them, and Lucy is markedly less well done than the characters she shares the screen with in Mrs. Tiggy Winkle’s part of the story.
Each video has two stories entertwined in a way that I do think reflects Ms. Potter’s storytelling.
My six- year old loves the way it makes the story of Johnny Town Mouse and the Two Bad Mice take place in the same house, which I think may be referred to in one of the books.
March 19, 2010
#4
For anyone who enjoys Potter’s work or if your new to reading it, this is a delightful collection. Enjoy !
March 19, 2010
#5
My grandchildren enjoyed this DVD set,but it might be more interesting if each DVD didn’t have the same intro. Beatrix Potter did not live in the country in a cottatge. She lived in a very wealthy home until she bought her own farm. However, children don’t care. The cartoons are precious. I’m glad I found it.