Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf animated version

As I was looking for material to carry out the forthcoming English Language Summer workshops for the children I came across an animated version of Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf which I bought not knowing (then) I was buying a "gem", that I am sure the children of my colleagues and co-workers will fall in love with (the same way I have).

Last year I used a speechless animated story "The eyes of the lighthouse", which children gave voice to using the little English they knew or had recently been taught and despite being fearful as to their reactions and whether the English Language approach would work out the way I had envisaged it once I had them watch the film I soon realised that they were actually capable of taking on the challenge in a rather creative and "courageous" way (assumptions I confirmed later).

 

I can only guess what might happen the moment they "get to know" these outstandingly beautiful animated characters pertaining to the 2006 British-Polish co-production which has since then been awarded quite a few well-known prizes.


 

The unusual inexistence of dialogue or narration as in the other versions will be an encouragement to work with the children in a fairly open and creative way. The version itself has also been sujected to several changes, some of which differ from its original significantly. Amongst those are the bird's insecure flying attempts because of a broken wing and the last scene where the wolf is freed and allowed to run off as opposed to being exhibited.

 

 

 

There is intimacy between the characters and the viewers to which Prokofiev's music (performed by the Philarmonia Orchestra)  further adds a tinge of thrill.



An absolute must for children and adults alike not only honouring Prokofiev's commission to write a musical symphony for children with the intent to cultivate musical tastes in them from the first years of school, as well as a reminder not to be afraid to challenge established beliefs by taking risks.