The Point (1986)

Pointedly Pro

As a child, I grew up with this movie. I still have an old VHS copy, although the first viewing I can remember came on Public Broadcasting. Harry Nilsson's "The Point" frequently takes me back to my younger years, sitting with my mother on the couch and loving the tale of Oblio and Arrow seeking true meaning in a world in which they have become outcasts.

While the animation pales into comparison to today's slick digital tomes, I almost prefer the point because you can see the artistic vision coming through in all of its watercolor beauty. Some of the images also are a bit dated, but the impact is not lost.

For anyone who claims to be a fan of Nilsson's, this is a must have. For anyone who enjoys a simple, modern fairy tale, this is a good buy. November 26, 2008

I have a Point

There are many fine reviews of this feature cartoon so I won't add a repeat of all the others to the list. However I would like to make a few points of my own. How many of us noticed the anarchist with a bomb, the artists smoking pot, Orichs skull from Hamlet I believe, or the very Beatlesque walrus? They all reinforce the main theme of the whole film which everyone has interpreted for themselves.I do believe this was the authors intent, not just to portray an individual in a "do as your told" society but to help support the individual in our society, when he or she stands up and says that they arn't going to play the game any more.
I like the first version with Dustin Hoffman the best and I am one of the lucky few to have recorded it off of tv many years ago. I have just shown it to a bunch of middle school kids and was facinated by which parts of the video seemed to interest them the most. The Count's kid, the whole triangle toss incident with picking players, and all the parts with arrow and Oblio interacting were their favorites. I thought the kids who were the thoughtful independent types sat in front and paid the most attention to the story. This behavior seemed to reinforce my opinion and the video seemed to give these kids spiritual support : as the film went on they seemed to sit up taller in their chairs. This is a wonderful video for the family if you have one to show it to and, if not, watch it with a friend, or a whole class as I did. November 18, 2008

Does There Need to Be a Point?

This is a great TV Special (when TV specials were highly anticipated and very very special!) created by Harry Nielsen with Ringo Starr. A boy where everyone has a point is born without a point. After waiting a few years, he still doesn't seem to have a point so is sent out into the world alone with his dog because he doesn't fit in. The boy tries to find a point including the vanishing point but to no avail. What's the point? :) November 8, 2008

The Point

"The Point" narrated by Ringo Starr has been a favorite of mine since I watched it with my Gandson in the 80's. It has a wonderful way of delivering a message of good will and tolerance for any age. October 13, 2008

Believeable1

An excellent, and genuine story for both young and old. Very colorful and easy to follow from start to finish. October 6, 2008

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