Search - The Point on DVD


The Point
The Point
Actors: Ringo Starr, Dustin Hoffman, Paul Frees, Lennie Weinrib, Bill Martin
Director: Fred Wolf
Genres: Kids & Family, Music Video & Concerts, Television, Animation
NR     2004     1hr 14min

Studio: Sony Music Release Date: 03/23/2004

     

Movie Details

Actors: Ringo Starr, Dustin Hoffman, Paul Frees, Lennie Weinrib, Bill Martin
Director: Fred Wolf
Creators: Fred Wolf, Harry Nilsson, Jerry D. Good, Jimmy T. Murakami, Larry Gordon, Carole Beers, Norm Lenzer
Genres: Kids & Family, Music Video & Concerts, Television, Animation
Sub-Genres: Animation, Pop, Rock & Roll, Ringo Starr, Television, Animation
Studio: RCA
Format: DVD - Color,Full Screen
DVD Release Date: 03/23/2004
Release Year: 2004
Run Time: 1hr 14min
Screens: Color,Full Screen
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Total Copies: 0
Members Wishing: 7
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Languages: English

Similar Movies

Bruno Bozzetto's Allegro Non Troppo
Director: Bruno Bozzetto
4
   PG   2004   1hr 25min
Yellow Submarine
   G   1999   1hr 25min

Similarly Requested DVDs

Big Fish
Director: Tim Burton
   PG-13   2004   2hr 5min
   
Iron Man
Single-Disc Edition
   PG-13   2008   2hr 6min
   
American Beauty
Widescreen Edition
Director: Sam Mendes
   R   2000   2hr 2min
   
Journey to the Center of the Earth
Director: Eric Brevig
   PG   2008   1hr 33min
   
The Illusionist
Widescreen Edition
Director: Neil Burger
   PG-13   2007   1hr 50min
   
The Bourne Identity
Widescreen Extended Edition
Director: Doug Liman
   PG-13   2004   1hr 59min
   
Thank You for Smoking
Widescreen Edition
Director: Jason Reitman
   R   2006   1hr 32min
   
Little Miss Sunshine
Directors: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris
   R   2006   1hr 41min
   
Furry Vengeance
Director: Roger Kumble
   PG   2010   1hr 31min
   
The Raven
Director: James McTeigue
   1hr 50min
   
 

Movie Reviews

Classic allegory about conformism
Wayne Klein | My Little Blue Window, USA | 02/03/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Harry Nilsson had a point and knew exactly what it was. This allegorical classic had a simple but direct message--accept everyone for who they are and not force them to fit into a preconceived notion of who they should be. Oblio and Arrow his dog are banned from the town they live in. Why? Because the Evil Count decides that anyone that can beat his son at a game (misuse of power) and looks different (Oblio's the only child with a round head not a pointed head) shouldn't be allowed in the town. He's called pointless by the Count and others. But Oblio in Nilsson's extended allegory finds that nothing is pointless least of all himself.

A charming film full of colorful imagery, "The Point" remains a classic to this day regardless of which one of the narrators you heard when you saw it. For the record, Dustin Hoffman was the original narrator. He was replaced by Ringo Starr and, then, finally Alan Thicke (of "Growing Pains" fame). The narrator on the original album was, of course, Nilsson himself. He would have done a delightful job of narrating this animated classic but elected to go with a professional "actor" in each case.

There's not much in the way of extras. We can go directly to each song which is a nice touch although including Nilsson's original album (with his narration) would have been nice. Also, what about deleted scenes, a gallery of character designs and, perhaps, some footage of Nilsson himself? Ah well, perhaps next time.

The picture quality is quite good although there's some minor analog imperfections such as dirt and debris but, on the whole, the film looks remarkably good. The soundtrack recorded in mono has more presence than the videotape version. I would have liked a surround mix of the original songs but that would have required remixing the original album mastertapes and that's probably not going to happen anytime soon. Also pick up Harry's album of the same name. The reissue of Harry's classic album supervised by Curtis Armstrong (yes, THE Curtis Armstrong of "Moonlighting Fame" and who gave a marvelous performance as the owner Ahmet Ertegunof Atlantic Records in "Ray")includes two early versions of songs that ended up on the album as well as a replica of the original booklet that came with the album."
Finally on DVD!!!!
Ardeal | Atlanta, GA United States | 07/23/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I remember watching this cartoon almost 20 years ago - and then again, just 2 years ago on a worn-out VHS. The message is simple yet to the point: In fact, everything has a point. And the music is so very captivating - from "Me and my arrow" to "Are you sleeping". If you like Beatles - type music, you'll love this soundtrack. The cartoons are simplistic yet never dull and may actually help in getting the message of this movie more clearly.

The movie starts with us being introduced to a village in which everything has a physical point. People look like cone heads. Dogs, homes - everything has a physical point. The birth of a boy with round head causes trouble in the village which ultimately leads to him being banished. Most of the movie depicts Oblio's adventures with his dog named Arrow in the "Pointless Forest". After learning some valuable lessons, he returns to his village. Rather than spoiling the ending, I'll let you find out the outcome."
Do you have to have a "point" to have a point?
Alan R. Holyoak | 02/08/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)

"In "The Point" we meet and follow the experiences of a little lad named Oblio. Oblio was born with a round head, but into a pointed world. Everything in his village has points. The buildings have points, the houses have points, and the main product of local industry is, well, points. The people even have pointed heads. What is a little round-headed fellow to do?Oblio endures the inevitable taunting of school mates, and other challenges that accompany someone who is, well, different. Through it all though, Oblio remains pleasant, and polite. After all of his trials, Oblio finally learns the answer to the question, "Do you have to have a 'point' to have a point?"This movie works at multiple levels. It works as high quality entertainment for children of all ages. It has animation remeniscent of "School House Rock" from the 1970s, memorable music, including the song, "Me and My Arrow," and a great story line. This movie also works for adults concerned about issues of diversity. This movie would be as appropriate in a college classroom as in a family's front room.I highly recommend this movie to one and all. You will enjoy it thoroughly...if you can find it. 5-stars all the way!Alan Holyoak"
"disapointed" review missed THE POINT!
FPS Fanatic | 06/25/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"As there are already many reviews explaining why this movie/record is so important, I wanted to respond to the review titled (and misspelled) "disapointed." Specifically, I believe this reviewer missed the Point of the story...

That reviewer states:

"...and then at the end--just when we thought the whole story was about being accepted as you are Oblio grows a point! Instead of internal change, new found awareness and just acceptance for who he was--he physically changed and grew a point so he looked like the people that kicked him out for being different--it dampened the point of the story! Yeah, it's symbolic, but wouldn't it be better if he came back--same round head and everyone embraced him just the same?"

The important Point that this reviewer missed is that at the end of the story EVERYONE in the town loses their Points (becomes round-headed like Oblio was) and now ONLY Oblio has a Point...So, in the end he is still different from everyone in the town...He has become "Normal" and they become "Different." In other words, what is "Different" completely depends on your Point of view. THAT is the POINT of this story. Which of course implies what the reviewer of "disapointed" wanted the story to imply: acceptance of people different than you. However, by implying this Point instead of just coming out and being obvious about it, the story is much more powerful and allows people (especially children) to understand the Point of the story at a much deeper, fundamental level.

I believe this delivery of the Point of the story is extremely important...Especially in this age of institutionalized hypocrisy children are exposed to everyday. If the townspeople of the Land of Point had simply said, "We're sorry Oblio, we were wrong." it would be extremely easy for children watching the movie to see the falseness of the situation and dismiss the message completely! People do not change that easily. Children are smart, give them credit for understanding (even at an extremely young age) that the world is not fair ("why do I have to go to bed when you get to stay up?"). Great fables do not simply state the moral; they show the ridiculousness of NOT understanding the moral, leaving the audience with a much greater understanding of its universal truth.

In this age of spoon-feed "truths", "The Point!" stands as a timeless fable that all children deserve to see/hear!
"