Peter & the Wolf

The attention to the detail in this stop-motion animation is frankly quite superb, and set against Prokofiev's timeless score this is a really entertaining half-hour to watch. Director Suzie Templeton has updated the story slightly to allow for an ancient old Lada to feature and for a bit more preamble and closing scenes than you might have remembered from the Disney version from 1946. "Peter" has heard tell of the treacherous wolf, but his grandfather is determined to ensure that he never leaves their fortress of an home in search of it. This has earned him the enmity of the local hunters in the nearby town, and only galvanised his enthusiasm to capture this marauding beast. His chance comes somewhat unexpectedly after his friend the duck meets a sticky end and the bird and the cat find themselves stuck high up in a tree, whilst the beast menacingly paces the terrain below. Armed with an only an aged net and some rope, "Peter" has to escape his own captivity before he can concoct a plan to ensure his foe's. Each of the characters have a lovely degree of detail to them, especially the cat that looks like it's very fond of it's full-fat milk and "Peter" himself who has a very expressive face just like his aged and doddery grandparent. The whole wintery and rustic look of their surroundings has been skilfully crafted and the synchronisation of imagery and music delivers this story well.