I saw this movie only once in a cinema, as a child, shortly after it was released. I still remembered scenes and bits of it more than 20 years later! I recall feeling particularly moved by the poor people kept captive underground, which evidences that children's stories must not necessarily be devoid of suffering and injustice. On the contrary: this kind of plot may feed children's sense of indignation and thus ultimately contribute to a better world.

This film is one of those rare pieces of art that are a true explosion of fantasy that will capture a child's imagination completely, combined with an underlying message that will also fascinate adults.

I bought the superbly produced "Édition Collector 2 DVD" set (Zone 2) through Amazon France about a year ago and it has become one of the favorite movies of my 5-year-old son, too, although neither of us speaks a word of French...

I am actually kind of furious with myself for taking so long to see The King and the Mockingbird. Seeing how good the film is makes me wonder why it was that I did take as long as I did to view it. As an animated film, it is a real bon bon and rivals anything Disney, Studio Ghibli or Pixar has done, and in some respects better than some to be honest.

The visuals are one of the many great strengths. The animation on the kingdom of Tikicardia itself looks amazing with a unique stylistic look to it, and the rest of the landscapes are a thing of true beauty. The colours are also gorgeous with the shadings very pleasing to the eye, and the architecture is enough to make your jaw drop. And the characters are very well modelled.

The music is both haunting and poignant and really enhances to the atmosphere of the film. The script is poetic and ironic, the story is just magical with some fine themes such as a touching love story and tyranny and class difference which are explored in a tender way. The final message of the film affected me in a way very few other animated films have done, while the characters are engaging and the direction and voice work are top notch.

All in all, The King and the Mockingbird is a gem. If you love animated films, I think you should see this beautiful yet criminally under-seen film. 10/10 Bethany Cox

It's both surprising and disappointing to find only a handful of raves for this outstanding film which is certainly the equal of anything Disney turned out in its Snow White, Bambi, etc heyday and may, as some posters insist, even surpass Disney. As a lifelong admirer of Jacques Prevert the dialogue was the principal attraction for me but I stayed to marvel at the animation, the colour, the music, the whole nine yards in fact. Prevert's touch is everywhere from the name of the King to the Popular Front/October Group philosophies, the stark contrast in lifestyles between the King and more or less everyone else in his kingdom. The Bird has overtones of Charley Carioca ironically a Disney creation and those seeking the referential can cite the robot which could be a cross between King Kong and Edward Scissorhands whilst I'm sure academics and others of that ilk could cite a dozen more examples but far better to just enjoy an outstanding piece of animation.