This is one of those treasures of cinema that you don't know exists for all this time, and luckily DVD brings it back to audiences around the world. It was made in 1926 and is today the earliest-available animated film (there were others before, but they're lost), and this precedes Snow White by 11 years. What it is is a fascinating trip into the Arabian Nights stories, specifically those with Prince Achmed, as he keeps trying to save the love of his life - the Damsel, or the Princess, we know it's the Girl - from various beasts and an evil wizard. It also has Aladdin - yes, that Aladdin - and his magic lamp with the Genie.In other words, the first animated film that we have now in society is a fairy tale, and the filmmaker Lotte Reiniger not only embraces the fairy tale aspect of it, she genuinely loves it and wants to push what is expected. It was made at a time when stories with such things like magic genies and horses that can fly high in the sky (which is what happens here with Achmed on a horse that climbs up) were for kids. But Reiniger saw it differently, and thank goodness. And her style is spectacular for how straightforward it is: it's stop-motion animation with puppets, and everything is in shadow form via cut-outs. But this form, which might sound crude when you hear about it, is actually very impressive for how Reiniger and her team use colors with the film camera (it was the silent era, after all), and there IS depth and detail with the sets and designs made for these characters to inhabit.It may not be for all tastes, but this is magical stuff. It may seem quaint or simple, but taking it in the context when it was made, the ambition of the storytelling, and the purity that Reiniger and company strive for in preserving what fairy tales do for all audiences. It's creating fantasy out of nothing.

and ahead of its time. A Cherrr-man creation, seemingly made of paper cutout characters against a lit backdrop, with slight, stop-motion movements. Excellent subtitles into English. From the info on IMDb, it seems there are at least two versions, due to the difference in film speed, a 66 minute version, and an 81 minute version. The version shown on Turner Classic shows movement, then pauses at the end of each scene. It looks like this is a restored version. The prince does indeed go on several short adventures, such as flying away on a flying horse, and escaping a volcano. Some of the detail in the scenes are just incredible. I was pleasantly surprised; much better than expected. The simple characters show so much emotion, and there is so much going on in the background, its impossible to catch all the details. And this was all in 1925. FUN stuff.

Watching The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926) is exactly like watching cutouts coming to life. It resembles a magical play and it certainly is not your ordinary animated feature. Aside from being the one of the first made and oldest surviving in the world, it is also one of the very few movies that are exceedingly detailed and exquisite from start to end. Highly inventive and creative in storytelling, each frame are painstakingly crafted and put together by hand resulting beautiful scenes in the animated feature. Even if the casts are merely silhouettes of the cutouts, we are able to feel the character's emotions as the magnificent music sets the mood and the body movements of the cutouts are straightforward, making the animation vivid.What I loved most about this animated feature is that it is truly artistic. Lotte Reiniger is a German but she is able to produce beautiful Arabian and Chinese cutout sets. If she is not a genius, I don't know what she would be! Some stuffs may not be historically accurate or make sense but well it's 1926 so it's actually pretty decent especially they do not have as much resources as we have today to refer or learn from! Hence, it is really amazing to able to watch what a woman's creativity and cutouts can do!So, can I call Lotte Reiniger the Mother of Animation? Actually why not? Lotte Reiniger rightfully is the Mother of Animation!! She invented her own technique and pioneered the earliest form of stop motion animation into a feature film. She is one of the first female film directors and certainly is the first female animated feature film director! Also, even though over 88 years has passed, her The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926) is still so enchanting and mesmerizing; it will not fail to capture the hearts of all animation fans! (Though I must mention and clarify that it would be given that the animation fan do not anti-fairy tales and don't mind the cultural depictions or societal elements)Seriously, I never thought the animation or the output would be that great, how could she possibly achieve this kind of animation that is so exquisitely animated, in 1926?! I watched this in disbelief and certainly am lost for words for a while because it is the third oldest animated feature and it is also so much more interesting, pleasant, beautiful, insert all the praise words here, in comparison to some of the decades much newer films!Therefore, The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926) is truly a wonder of animation and if you are blessed to watch this, I am sure you will appreciate the art of animation more. I do not know how else I could express my respect and admiration other than highly recommending this to you. It is truly one indisputable great movie. (I'll be mad if you say it's not great!)

I have adored animation for goodness knows how long. The Adventures of Prince Achmed isn't just a milestone, it is also a unique and stunning achievement that has stood the test of time. The silhouette animation is superb and holds up very well, and the music gives such a sweeping and magical feel to the proceedings. All the characters are engaging, not just the lead characters but also the timeless assortment of monsters and the like, and the story is so engaging, charming and elegant any worries of predictability completely fade. Overall, an animated milestone and still timeless and effective after all these years. 10/10 Bethany Cox