Incredible movie adaptation of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s legendary story
When I was young, I watched TV channels that presented appropriate content for my age. Among them, the Canadian channels Radio-Canada, YTV, Canal Famille, and Radio-Québec; before it became Télé-Québec. And in the 1980s and 1990s, Radio-Quebec offered a wider broadcast of international content than today. Including animated movies from countries like Japan. So during Christmas and Easter, Radio-Québec‘s special holiday broadcasts called Ciné-Cadeau delighted us with wonderful movies; some daring and thought-provoking. Sometimes stories involving tragedy, drama, and epic storylines. Among them, this beautiful adaptation of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake (Hakucho no Mizumi/白鳥の湖). Which has, since its broadcast, become a cult classic among its viewers and especially fans of Japanese animation. Who speak fondly of it on social medias, websites, and forums. And who purchased it thanks to Discotek Media‘s DVD release or streamed it on Amazon Prime.
In its story, Swan Lake recounts the love story between Prince Siegfried who, following the death of his father, will become a king at his next birthday. During this event, he has no choice but to marry a princess. A situation that displeases him as he will be forced to marry someone he does not love. But after a mysterious encounter with a crowned Swan at a humonguous lake located close to the castle, alongside another incident that renders one of his friend into a statue, the prince discovers that the mysterious swan is a princess named Odette. Cursed by a wizard named Rothbart, a man who courts her daily, Odette is forced to wander her days as a swan and her nights as a human; jailed inside a castle where that wizard and his daughter Odile live. Latter figure who finds out about the prince’s encounter with Odette; alongside Siegfried’s proposition for Odette to come to his castle for his birthday. To be his future wife. A situation that angers Rothbart and encourages Odile and him to hatch out an evil plan against the prince and Odette.
Set over three days, Swan Lake is a marvellous adaptation of that classical Ballet from Tchaikovsky. One that uses his original music. Conducted by Stefan Soltesz and performed by the Vienna Orchestra. Using at specific moments important portions of the musical partition Tchaikovsky offered to us. And in two occasions, beautiful songs using important airs in the ballet. Beautiful songs that do not hamper with the story, but which we hear as non-diegetic music. One at Rothbart’s castle, the last one in the ending credits. And for Ballet aficionados, the movie presents a beautiful dance segment with little swan birds.
So through it all, the film presents an impressing script from Hiroichi Fuse. Characters that are never infantile in their dialogues, that are bold and ready to defend their convictions, and are memorable in their scenes. While in the background, we have a couple of squirrels; Hans and Marguerite. Eyeing the story from their point of view, interacting with the characters from time to time, but always in proper circumstances. Dealing their romance in the distance while helping Odette and Siegfried, never overshadowing their spotlights. Wonderful set of companions for the audience.
In their visuals, the backdrops and story locations amazed me. From Siegfried’s castle to the wide mountainous and forest landscape surrounding it. With even a village near by. Though we never explore it. But through each background and location, we can sense an energy and a folklore. And when a movie conveys that, you know the artists succeeded their job. As for the character designs, fans will recognize them as the work of Yumiko Igarashi, famous for her art on the anime and manga Candy Candy. Ravishing Shojo designs for all characters, fit for their personalities. About the animation, the movements are much more fluid and detailled than what you’d see in Toei’s TV series where the animation budget is more restrained. In this movie, the characters move around through various poses and expressions, alongside nice animation for the swan transformation. Alongside a superb scene with the Swan flying back to Rothbart’s castle and Siegfried on his horse, gallopping fast while a backdrop of flashes and lights pass in the background. A moment in the film that I remembered since I saw the film for the first time. Grandious beauty that showed how images and music could convey together language more powerful than any dialogue.
Regarding the voice acting, the cast for the original Japanese voice team is impeccable. From Keiko Takeshita, who would do later the voice of the Phoenix in Osamu Tezuka’s masterpiece Hi No Tori Ai no Cosmozone, to Taro Shigaki, known for his voice role of André Grandier in the anime Versailles no Bara, and all the other actors involved.
And about the dubbing versions, the American broadcast has as voice actor David Hemmings in the role of Rothbart, casting choice which I find wonderful. Meanwhile for the French dub, the actors chosen were excellent. For Siegfried, Philippe Ogouz whom fans know as Mamoru in Sailor Moon but also as Tintin in the 1960s movie The Temple of the Sun. For Odette, Céline Monsarrat who is the french voice of the Smurfette in The Smurfs and Bulma in Dragon Ball. While with Odile, Catherine Lafond does her voice, which is wonderful as she is the voice of Phenicia in Goldorak, and of Elisa in The Wild Swans, another amazing movie I will review soon. As for Rothbart, Georges Atlas whom I heard in Goldorak (UFO Robot Grendizer) as Atlas and as Doctor Claw in the second season of Inspector Gadget; another excellent choice for the French dub.
Overall, the dub versions for Swan Lake have been rewarding, though I will always have a big fondness for the French dub. Even though that version switched the name of one of Siegfried’s friend, Adolph, to the name of Gérard. A decision that always puzzled me and always makes me wonder if it wasn’t due to fear of World War Two connotations that could have offended certain French viewers.
Either way, one only has to go online to realize how Swan Lake has a strong support of love from the world and its public. With fans sharing and remembering the beauty of that movie and its impact on their lives. Introducing them to anime culture, Ballet, and Tchaikovsky’s stories.
A beautiful masterpiece that gains new fans as years go by and still remains in the hearts of its first-time viewers.
Omnes's Oasis 