# The Most Amazing Animated Film You'll Never See **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 6, 2009, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-amazing-animated-film-youll-never-see/492173 "2009-04-06T21:44:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Terraplane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@Terraplane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terraplane)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-amazing-animated-film-youll-never-see/492173/21 "2009-04-08T00:20:21Z")
I just finished watching this, it was really neat. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Prox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/da6949/32.png) [@Prox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prox)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-amazing-animated-film-youll-never-see/492173/22 "2009-04-08T00:34:30Z")
I watched this a few weeks back, and it is indeed fantastic. I’ve been talking up since then, and everyone who’s watched it has loved it. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-amazing-animated-film-youll-never-see/492173/23 "2009-04-08T00:35:42Z")
> [@Eutychus](#): > > Sadly, you’ll probably never see it in theaters. Paley had a bit of trouble getting permission for use of **songs by Annette Hanshaw** that she wasn’t able to finance its distribution. So, in a remarkable move, she gave it our for free. The problem here, sadly, is [Annette Hanshaw](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annette_Hanshaw) herself, a marvelous 1920s and 30s singer. Most recorded pop music from the pre-World War II era is too old and obscure to have any mass marketability, but most of it is still owned lock stock and barrel by Big Media. Economies of scale mean they would lose money any time they wrote up a contract for something that might not sell in the millions. Licensing this stuff would cost more than it could ever make back, and giving it away any cheaper would create an ominous legal precedent. So the owners prefer it kept in commercial limbo, not to be available at all. [Here’s](http://blog.ninapaley.com/2008/08/26/music-industry-on-culture-killing-spree) a look at the situation in Nina Paley’s case. ---
**Author:** ![vdgg81](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/3d9bf3/32.png) [@vdgg81](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vdgg81)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-amazing-animated-film-youll-never-see/492173/24 "2009-04-08T02:34:30Z")
I’d like to thank the OP for bringing this movie to my attention. I did not find it amazing, but it was good fun and the soundtrack was spectacular. The original music for the movie was good and the Annette Hanshaw stuff was wonderful. I’m definitely going to start listening to her stuff. ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-amazing-animated-film-youll-never-see/492173/25 "2009-04-08T03:35:30Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > You can find it in any number of different sizes, including some ideal for iPod on [the Archive.org project page](http://www.archive.org/details/Sita_Sings_the_Blues). I saw that, but I don’t see any specifically listed as ipod compatible. ---
**Author:** ![AngelSoft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angelsoft/32/440_2.png) [@AngelSoft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelSoft)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-amazing-animated-film-youll-never-see/492173/26 "2009-04-08T04:01:52Z")
I enjoyed this film quite a bit. Although I will admit I was a little lost during the first five minutes or so. I loved the alternating art styles, however the modern day “story within the story” seemed to not quite fit with the feel of the rest of the film. I was also lost a bit during some of the song sequences. Especially during the trial by fire. And…a question in regards to the original myth. Is Rama supposed to be seen as a dickhead? Or was he acting in a culturally acceptable and even admirable way? ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-amazing-animated-film-youll-never-see/492173/27 "2009-04-08T04:17:32Z")
As a friend of Nina’s who’s been watching this project come along for three years, I’m gratified at this thread, and the mostly positive reactions \*Sita \*has gotten here. Needless to say, I second **Eutychus** ’s (and others’) recommendations. And if our recommendations aren’t compelling enough for you, read [Roger Ebert’s rave review.](http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2008/12/having_wonderful_time_wish_you.html) **jackdavinci** : _please_ watch it on something larger than your iPod. It really deserves as large a screen as you can manage. \*\*ianzin \*\*and **singular1** : Your attention spans don’t extend beyond five or six minutes?!? Remind me not to go to the movies with you! Maybe this isn’t the movie for you, but I think if you give it another try you may find you enjoy it. > [@AngelSoft](#): > > And…a question in regards to the original myth. Is Rama supposed to be seen as a dickhead? Or was he acting in a culturally acceptable and even admirable way? I’m not an expert, and haven’t even read the Ramayana, but what I gather from my conversations with Nina is that, for most of the myth’s life, Rama has been seen as acting properly, even if it’s not entirely clear what his motivations are. It’s only in more modern times that his behavior is seen as more questionable. And of course, Nina is turning the story around and looking at it from Sita’s point of view, paralleled with her own life story. (Her original title was _Sitayana_.) ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-amazing-animated-film-youll-never-see/492173/28 "2009-04-08T04:56:08Z")
> [@jackdavinci](#): > > I saw that, but I don’t see any specifically listed as ipod compatible. The 3 in the column labeled “h.264 MPEG4” are all iPod compatible and should be able to import into your iTunes and copy to your iPod with no conversion. The different sizes will work on different iPods. Get the small if you have a Nano, the large if you have an iPhone or iPod Touch. ---
**Author:** ![nani](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/58956e/32.png) [@nani](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nani)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-amazing-animated-film-youll-never-see/492173/29 "2009-04-08T08:37:41Z")
> [@AngelSoft](#): > > And…a question in regards to the original myth. Is Rama supposed to be seen as a dickhead? Or was he acting in a culturally acceptable and even admirable way? The Ramayana is FULL of instances of Rama acting just as you describe him. I’m pretty sure the average Hindu (as if that really existed) does not see him in a bad light, but he is just constantly screwing with people throughout that epic for no good reason. Like, his wife, and the Monkey King, and Hanuman, etc. etc. ---
**Author:** ![Panurge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/fbc32d/32.png) [@Panurge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Panurge)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-amazing-animated-film-youll-never-see/492173/30 "2009-04-08T09:19:32Z")
> [@nani](#): > > The Ramayana is FULL of instances of Rama acting just as you describe him. I’m pretty sure the average Hindu (as if that really existed) does not see him in a bad light, but he is just constantly screwing with people throughout that epic for no good reason. Like, his wife, and the Monkey King, and Hanuman, etc. etc. True. Even though he is much more of a “good boy” than the protagonists in one of the other great Indian epics, the (vastly more complicated) Mahabharata. Rama always does the right thing (according to scripture) and that makes him a rather boring hero, IMO. The Pandavas (from the Mahabharata) are much more faulty characters (they cheat in warfare, Yudhishtira loses their wife in a game of dice, etc.). I don’t know of any animated versions of the Mahabharata, so instead, I’ll give you something completely different. It is more limited in scope, but could certainly qualify as “best (obscure) animated film”, as per the OP: [Please say something](http://www.davidoreilly.com/films/pss), a wonderful animated short by David O’Reilly. The film won a Golden Bear for “Best Short” at the 2009 Berlin Film Festival. At times it reminds me of an animated version of Chris Ware’s stuff - there are definitely stylistic overlaps. ---
**Author:** ![singular1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@singular1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/singular1)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-amazing-animated-film-youll-never-see/492173/31 "2009-04-08T11:13:44Z")
That was gorgeous! I’m going to set aside some time and watch _Sita_ with Mr. singular this weekend, with no distractions. I do love the music, and I want to give this movie the time and attention it deserves. ---
**Author:** ![ianzin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@ianzin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianzin)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-amazing-animated-film-youll-never-see/492173/32 "2009-04-08T11:23:26Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > **ianzin** / Your attention spans don’t extend beyond five or six minutes?!? Remind me not to go to the movies with you! Maybe this isn’t the movie for you, but I think if you give it another try you may find you enjoy it. Hi **Commasense**. What I said was that I watched the first six minutes of this particular animated film and didn’t feel inclined to watch any more. You have extrapolated from this to a blanket assertion about my having a limited attention span. This is not the case. Thank you for sharing your negative, judgmental nature, but you weren’t asked to. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-amazing-animated-film-youll-never-see/492173/33 "2009-04-08T12:57:49Z")
> [@ianzin](#): > > Hi **Commasense**. What I said was that I watched the first six minutes of this particular animated film and didn’t feel inclined to watch any more. You have extrapolated from this to a blanket assertion about my having a limited attention span. This is not the case. Thank you for sharing your negative, judgmental nature, but you weren’t asked to. Thank me, too! I haven’t watched the film yet, but will give it more than six minutes. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-amazing-animated-film-youll-never-see/492173/34 "2009-04-08T14:15:25Z")
> [@ianzin](#): > > Hi **Commasense**. What I said was that I watched the first six minutes of this particular animated film and didn’t feel inclined to watch any more. You have extrapolated from this to a blanket assertion about my having a limited attention span. This is not the case. Thank you for sharing your negative, judgmental nature, but you weren’t asked to. **ianzin** : If I were you, I wouldn’t jump to criticize someone else’s “negative, judgmental nature.” I apologize if my comment appeared snarky, but that was not my intent. I hoped it would be read in a much more light-hearted, joshing tone than you apparently gave it. Hence my suggestion that you give the film another chance, as others did. I have nothing but respect for you as a poster, and for your real-life work, and I regret that you misinterpreted my post. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-amazing-animated-film-youll-never-see/492173/35 "2009-04-08T14:34:15Z")
I’ve heard many people say that Richard Williams’ **The Thief and the Cobbler** / **Nasruddin** is the most amazing animated film you’ll never see. I have a copy of the release version, but everyone agrees that it’s a very pale imitation of his original vision (and even of extant footage not included in the release). A crying shame – the animation by Williams I’ve seen (He did the animation in **Who Framed Roger rabbit** , for insytance) is gorgeous. > **[Yahoo | Mail, Weather, Search, Politics, News, Finance, Sports & Videos](https://www.yahoo.com/)** > > Latest news coverage, email, free stock quotes, live scores and video are just the beginning. Discover more every day at Yahoo! > **[The Thief and the Cobbler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thief_and_the_Cobbler)** > > The Thief and the Cobbler is an unfinished animated fantasy film co-written and directed by Richard Williams. Originally devised in the 1960s, the film was in and out of production for nearly three decades due to independent funding and ambitiously complex animation. It was finally placed into full production in 1989, when Warner Bros. agreed to finance and distribute the film. When production went over budget and behind schedule, it was heavily cut and hastily re-edited by producer Fred Ca Ov... [http://www.heartbeatthemagazine.com/2007/March/031907/031907thief.htm](http://www.heartbeatthemagazine.com/2007/March/031907/031907thief.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-amazing-animated-film-youll-never-see/492173/36 "2009-04-08T15:28:20Z")
The opening sequence, before we get to San Francisco, is fantastic. I’m about to watch the rest. Eutychus, when I saw the thread title, I thought this was the movie you were talking about (after reading Roger Ebert’s article). Thanks for the link! ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Griffin-Kentzel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_griffin-kentzel/32/14787_2.png) [@Larry\_Griffin-Kentzel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Griffin-Kentzel)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-amazing-animated-film-youll-never-see/492173/37 "2009-04-08T19:05:16Z")
> [@Hodge](#): > > It’s an awesome piece of art (I highly recommend downloading the gorgeous 1080p HiDef version). And, yes, she does have permission to release the film, just not to collect any money for it. As a result, it has been released on a Creative Commons Share Alike license, free for all to download and distribute for free. There’s also a storefront setup selling merchandise (limited at the moment) as well as a donation button. I already donated the approximate price of a DVD. Well worth it, IMHO. The 1080p HiDef version is amazing. I’m impatiently waiting for the release of the DVD. This is one of the best animated films I’ve ever seen. ---
**Author:** ![AngelSoft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angelsoft/32/440_2.png) [@AngelSoft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelSoft)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-amazing-animated-film-youll-never-see/492173/38 "2009-04-08T19:22:25Z")
Ok so upon watching this for a second time, I’d like to recant my comment about the SF scenes not fitting in. They seemed to work for me this time. Also…the god and goddess in the beginning sequence. Are they… supposed to be Sita and Rama? Because I wasn’t quite sure exactly what happened to her at the end of the film. Did she become a goddess? And also completely random question…why the hell was he blue? ---
**Author:** ![Panurge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/fbc32d/32.png) [@Panurge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Panurge)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-amazing-animated-film-youll-never-see/492173/39 "2009-04-08T19:45:43Z")
Yes, yes they are. And he just is. ---
**Author:** ![Eutychus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2009, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-amazing-animated-film-youll-never-see/492173/40 "2009-04-08T23:52:03Z")
> [@AngelSoft](#): > > Ok so upon watching this for a second time, I’d like to recant my comment about the SF scenes not fitting in. They seemed to work for me this time. > > Also…the god and goddess in the beginning sequence. Are they… > > supposed to be Sita and Rama? Because I wasn’t quite sure exactly what happened to her at the end of the film. Did she become a goddess? And also completely random question…why the hell was he blue? I should point out (unless you noticed it already) watch the opening scene and then watch the closing scene. Compare and contrast. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-amazing-animated-film-youll-never-see/492173.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-amazing-animated-film-youll-never-see/492173.md?page=3)