We are probably past the point where our world will not be reclaimable. I'm not a morbid person, but I have little faith in the human race. Due to selfishness and indifference, politics, and, dare I say, religion, we have pretty much squandered what the earth has produced. If one wants to look in the cosmic sense, if there is a spirit in the universe, the earth will replenish itself at some point. Probably without our being around. This is a film of great depth and gentleness. A man sets out to plant huge numbers of trees on barren land, getting up every morning with his seeds in hand and finding spots to put them. The animation here is without peer. Christopher Plummer's lovely voice takes us on a journey through two wars and an evolution of both humanity and achievement. The movie is incredibly optimistic. Because of an innate cynicism born from observation, I expected that all would come crashing down. See this. It is one of the most beautiful things I've seen.

Just saw this wonderful film as part of an outstanding environmental film festival. This festival included such notable films as "Manufactured Landscapes," "The Two Horses of Genghis Khan," "Sense of Wonder," and the classic "Araya." This short animation certainly held its own against these other masterpieces."The Man Who Planted Trees" is a beautiful film both visually and spiritually. The messages are profound and the style of animation is captivating - the feeling is that of impressionistic watercolors. The messages are refreshing and suitable for all ages. There really is no more to say...I'll just let this beautiful piece of craft speak for itself.

I can't remember the last time I was so moved by an animated film. It is truly a work of art, lyrical, and inspired. The story is a very nice parable, but the way it was told by the artist here is incredibly moving. Many years of work (eight?)by the team of animators headed by Frederick Back created this 30-minute film. Only the loving product of the heart and of the right brain could yield art like this. Christopher Plummer's voice evokes the wise elder of the film's subject, and the music provides a background that blends well with the gentle crayon and charcoal drawings that form this work, but it is the drawings that are the centerpiece, in my opinion, although some might say it was the story. The work moved me to tears without any of the manipulation of most modern films. I could imagine children and teenagers being inspired and moved by this, also, and I think it should be shown to all children. I echo other viewers' recommendation that this would make a wonderful gift for someone you love, at any age.

If every you wanted proof that one normal person can make a positive difference in the world THIS IS IT. If I were a history teacher L'Homme qui plantait des arbres" or "The Man Who Planted Tree" would be the center of a chapter on the early 20th century.Any animation festival that includes L'Homme qui plantait des arbres" is worth going to. The director has good taste.The point here is the story. The animation is simple, mostly the camera moving across some beautiful paintings. The pace slow and gentle. It is a bit long for a "short" but when I saw it at the theater, by the end even the children in the audience weren't making a sound.