Fantastic Planet (1973)

René Laloux's mesmerising psychedelic sci-fi animated feature won the Special Jury Prize at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival and is a landmark of European animation. Based on Stefan Wul's novel Oms en série [Oms by the Dozen], Laloux's breathtaking vision was released in France as La Planète sauvage [The Savage Planet]; in the USA as Fantastic Planet; and immediately drew comparisons to Swift's Gulliver's Travels and Planet of the Apes (both the 1968 film and Boule's 1963 novel). Today, the film can be seen to prefigure much of the work of Hayao Miyazaki at Studio Ghibli (Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away) due to its palpable political and social concerns, cultivated imagination, and memorable animation techniques.

Fantastic Planet tells the story of Oms, a human-like species, kept as domesticated pets by an alien race of blue giants called Draags. The story takes place on the Draags' planet Ygam, where we follow our narrator, an Om called Terr, from infancy to adulthood. He manages to escape enslavement from a Draag learning device used to educate the savage Oms - and begins to organise an Om revolt. The imagination invested in the surreal creatures, music and sound design, and eerie landscapes, is immense and unforgettable. This release includes the early LaLoux short The Snails.

Special Features: English Language version, Original Subtitled version, photo gallery, trailer, Fantastic Laloux, the new 26 minute documentary on director Rene Laloux, short animated film Les Escargots (The Snails), an animated segment of Sean Lennon's music video for "Would I Be The One", inspired by Fantastic Planet. Product Description

rare find indeed!

I was challenged by my 28 year old son to find this. He saw it as a child. Amazon! July 29, 2008

DVD Incompatibility

DVD did not work at all except for the title preview. Why should anyone continue to sell this particular disc knowing it's incompatibilities? March 28, 2008

Still looks great!

I was surprised and happy! to see this has been made available to purchase as a DVD. I saw this when it was originally playing in theaters and I never forgot it. And I'm happy to report it still looks great. In fact, everything about this movie has stood the test of time. And that Includes the Floyd-ish soundtrack, which I purchased here as well.

I watched this with my 10 year old, she dug it too ; - ). March 21, 2008

Buyer Beware!

Like some of the others here, I ordered this classic with great anticipation. I remembered it from years ago. Truly an artistic masterpiece. However, when I received the DVD it would not play in any of my three DVD players. You can read the other reviews, but beware, it most likely will NOT play in your player! Don't waste your money! March 11, 2008

I WAS RIPPED OFF BY AMAZON !

I remembered this movie from the 70's and was very excited to see Fantastic Planet. It was beautifully animated and a compelling, thought provoking story. My first copy didn't play (I played it after the 30 day warrenty period), so I ordered another one. That wouldn't play either. I sent both of them back immediatly and have not gotten any of my money back. I have bought a large amount of used items from Amazon with pretty good luck. Buying from their inventory was a mistake.......... March 9, 2008

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