Search - Davie & Golimyr on DVD

Sometimes it takes failing a test in order to prepare for a

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 04/01/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Davie & Golimyr tells a story based on David and Goliath from the Bible. This animated short film for young children is charming. Much of the story is told in rhyming verses and the characters and scenery are drawn with great attention to detail. The movie uses great techniques to capture the attention of young children--people wear hats with people living inside of those hats; and there is a windmill that starts if you sneeze! The plot moves along at a good pace and overall the film should hold a young child's attention very well. The film also aims to tell children that with faith in themselves and a high power they can do just about anything. Incredibly, this movie does it all and more in just 45 minutes. Excellent!

David, who represents any young child, wants to be all grown up right away so he can be a famous and triumphant warrior for his people, The Zites. Unfortunately, Davie is just too young and too small--five years in a row he fails the test to become a warrior. He's also not exactly cut out to be a warrior; he raises pears and enjoys the company of a sheep for a mascot. Just as things look bleakest for Davie; things also begin to look pretty bleak for the Zites. A giant monster named Golimyr threatens to destroy all the Zites' land and property to dethrone their king and become their ruler.

Now since we all know this is based on the Biblical story of David and Goliath, I'm sure you can figure out the ending. However, this film takes things one step further--the giant learns to be kind and the Zites show the importance of forgiving one's mistakes as they take the reformed Golimyr into their midst.

I do agree with the reviewer who writes that the animation is somewhat like older animation that we saw in TV specials like Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer and others from decades ago. On the other hand, however, the colors are very pretty and it still works very well.

The DVD doesn't really come with any extras; there are some "sneak peeks" that work essentially as ads to entice young children to beg their parents to buy them more DVDs.

Overall, this fine short animated motion picture teaches the value of standing up for what you believe in and the value of faith in a higher power to enable you to reach your goals. We see Davie never gives up; this is another important lesson to children about life. We also see that bad people can be reformed by kindness and understanding. This makes Davie & Golimyr an excellent animated short film for young children.
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A dissenting opinion

Amanda Richards | Georgetown, Guyana | 04/05/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I watched this DVD on my own one afternoon, and other than being a version of the biblical story and a tale of faith, it really wasn't all that interesting. The stop-motion animation was unusual and imaginative, but the strangeness of some of the characters detracted from the telling of the story, which, by the way, was done in rhyme.

Deciding that I was perhaps a bit older than the target audience, I ran it for my son, and his very first comment was that it wasn't drawn properly. I spent the next fifteen minutes fielding questions about why some of the people had other people living on their heads, and others didn't, and why they didn't have legs, and why did a sheep have wings, and why the people were so ugly. The narrator and his minstrel were considered b-o-ring, and he lost interest in everything except the final battle. (He didn't make it all the way to the end of the DVD)

PROS:
1. Slightly different retelling of the story of David & Goliath, where the young hero proves his faith in God using a sling, some stones and a spiritually-enhanced pear.
2. Not your standard animation
3. Only 45 minutes long

CONS:
1. The characters, while quirky and unusual, don't fit in very well with the flow of story, causing unnecessary distractions
2. Many unlikeable characters
3. Golimyr has a teddy bear????
4. The rhyme gets lost in the muddle

Recommended for fans of the art of James C. Christensen, and children who don't ask too many questions. I'd prefer to stick with more traditional interpretations of the story.



Amanda Richards, April 4, 2008
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Intriguing look, decent animation, fun retelling of a biblic

Nathan Andersen | Florida | 04/10/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I first saw this on display behind a store window in Park City Utah during the Sundance Film Festival -- the look intrigued me, which is why I decided to pick this up and show my kids. The design is by James Christensen, the fantasy artist, and as with all of his work there is a whimsical and ingenious feel to the characters (little homunculi in some of the characters heads, wings on sheep, etc.). The animation itself is fairly crude, but in a good way -- it resembles all of those old Christmas specials like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. In the end, the style and story felt a bit kitchy to me but my kids were amused, and laughed fairly often. They had fun with this and I guess they are the target audience. I can't see myself ever sitting down to watch it again but I bet they will."

Very inspirational for all viewers

Rama Rao | Annandale, VA, USA | 04/08/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I am a regular viewer of faith channels on Saturday mornings, and I am fascinated by the imagination and creativity of so many directors and churches in producing so many wonderful shows for children. These days we need more of it, and not less. The story of David and Goliath is retold so many times and in so many ways that it has become part of our lives irrespective of faiths. One of the highlights of this DVD is hearing the voice of John Schneider who entertained so many fans as Bo Duke in Dukes of Hazard, and later in the WB drama Smallville. The story is told with the same moral theme; through faith in God you can conquer anything in life no matter how small or weak you are.

When a giant named Golimyr threatens the village of Zites, their King Sullic calls for a hero to fight the enemy. Davie, a peaceful pear grower with a sling, a sheep named Chop, and strong faith in God volunteers to save the village. At the end of the show the giant Golimyr repents for his meanness and he is forgiven by Zites; this ending is appropriate for children. This animated show is 45 minutes long and it is very entertaining for both young and old; highly recommended.


1. The Gospel Bill Show (Volumes 1 thru 8)
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