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Corto Maltese: La cour secrète des Arcanes More at IMDbPro »

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24 out of 24 people found the following review useful:
As good as possible., 25 September 2002

Author: The Truth from Helsinki, Finland

Being a big fan of Hugo Pratt's comic, I was pleased with this animated adaptation of Corto Maltese. The plot was most faithful to the original graphic novel, the dialogue being used almost verbatim. This must've been somewhat risky, since the story isn't exactly easy to follow. Animated features cost more than comics, so they also need bigger audiences, and the film-makers must've been tempted to tighten the pace and cut some of the historical references. Luckily, they haven't done so.

The drawing style is also truthful to Pratt, and the animation is as good as it can be without a Disney budget. Regarding this, one could even say that the faithfulness of the adaptation is a limiting factor. Pratt's contemplative and somewhat static form of storytelling is perhaps unfitting for an animated film, since animation has a different set of dynamics than comics.

The biggest flaw with the film is something that couldn't have been helped: the original comic is a long series of stories, of which the film can offer only a slice. Pratt's world isn't the easiest to enter, and seeing one film (or reading one comic, to that matter) probably isn't enough to make one see what's so special about Corto Maltese. The friendship between Corto and Rasputin, one of the most interesting aspects of the comic, is well conveyed in this particular story. But to wholly understand this relationship one needs to know their past - which the film can only refer to. The film-makers' choice of not starting from the beginning is understandable, since the first Corto Maltese story isn't the best or the most filmable of the bunch.

To sum it up: while I liked the film very much, someone not familiar with the comic probably doesn't get as much out of it. The best thing this film can do is to acquaint such people with Pratt's masterful work.

10 out of 10 people found the following review useful:
Great hero, great flick, 15 August 2005

Author: tomimt from Finland

Corto Maltese is one of the greatest graphical novel characters, or even literature characters for that matter, ever created. He's an adventurer, a pirate, a murderer and a lover, what ever suits his needs. Or then again he might spend entire story by just watching other people do all the adventuring. Then he just disappears just to turn out from somewhere else.

This particular story is from the more action end: Rasputin (Corto's insane Russian friend, who without any doubt is The Rasputin) and Corto are after Russian gold train, but then again so are lots of other people too. This gives a change to display some action scenes and conflicts between Corto and other parts of the story: Chinese, Russians, Mongols.

As for all Pratt's stories go, the story line is rather multi threaded, but it's hardly explained in any part, sometimes things just seem to happen and no one is explaining why. But then again there's no real need for that either, it's just the way these stories are told.

Animation is mostly well done, there are some parts which are little lacking, especially the human animation is little blocky in some places. All the special effects scenes are done with 3D animation, but they blend in with the painted backgrounds and characters rather seamlessly in most cases. Though there are some places where the difference is too visible.

This movie should be a treat for all Hugo Pratt fans, as I myself found it to have same mood that most of Pratt's comics have. I wouldn't mind having more of this.

10 out of 10 people found the following review useful:
A perfect film, 20 March 2005
Author: fbossert from Argentina

I think this is the king of all animation films. Pratt's "economic" drawing and his particular use of time are fully followed here. The action scenes are outstanding. The choice of the voices was accurate –even if one could think that Corto's voice should have a mix of different accents instead of speaking perfect french. It is, indeed, difficult to get into Corto's world at the first try; but I think the film –slowly starting, as in the original comic, with some kind of remembrance or reverie, an outside-of-time dialog with Bouche Dorée– does a great work in that way. Anyway, if at the end Corto's personality remains a mystery it must be said that it is the same for those who have read the whole series: Corto is an enigma, and the films succeeds in respecting that –instead of turning him into a simple adventure hero. Thus, the question "what is he really looking for?" remains unanswered. From my point of view, the difficulty of the film is not to get into Corto's universe for the those which are not familiar with it, but that it requires a minimum of historical knowledge. Indeed, some notions about the Russian revolution and the political situation of China at the beginnings of XX century are really helpful for the fully understanding of the film. In fact, the comic book includes some pages outlining this historical context; also, a map is as useful here as in The Lord of the Rings. In a word, watching this Corto Maltese film is as delightful as reading the comic book –and that is saying enough.

6 out of 6 people found the following review useful:
Beautiful art, lame sound production, 16 January 2006

Author: lkemilai from Finland

The story and the characters in this movie are guaranteed Pratt, and art is nicely adapted to animation. Sceneries are stunning and the atmosphere is definitely right. The animation is french standard quality, which means it's quite good, but not very fluid. You don't forget that you're watching animated pictures.

This could have been an excellent movie, had the director demanded a little more of the voice actors and sound engineers. Now there is very little drama in this movie. You see dramatic events taking place in exotic surroundings and hear people reading out script in a dry-sounding studio setup.

So: 3 points for the original comic, 1 for the idea of adapting it to silver screen, and points for animation, art direction and a beautiful musical soundtrack as well.

3 out of 3 people found the following review useful:
Very good, 25 July 2007

Author: tatamata1 from Macedonia

I think the director and animators did a tremendous job. I am a big fan of Pratt's art, and to be honest didn't expect much from the movie. The comic has a recognizable atmosphere, that I sincerely doubted can be successfully moved to the screen.

But luckily - I was wrong. I was delighted with the final result. The atmosphere was there, just the way it should be - I actually felt like reading the comic.

But beware - if you are not familiar with Pratt's work, or if you don't really love it - I doubt you can appreciate this piece. Also, this is a European movie, not American. It is very, very non-typical, and I fear that most of American public may find it confusing, probably even boring.

The scenes are long and slow, the director doesn't rush anywhere, takes the time to show each facial expression, to give a weight to every said word. Just as the comic does.

Also, in order to enjoy Pratt's art, you have to know a lot - you have to be interested in history, geography, legends, culture of various nations, mysticism, different religions and beliefs... And the same is true for this film. So - no, this is definitely not a movie for a typical American consumer.

In short - if you know and like Pratt's work, you will probably enjoy the movie. Otherwise - you probably won't like it at all.

2 out of 2 people found the following review useful:
A beautiful synthesis of modern arts, 27 October 2005

Author: vidsark from Slovenia

This is overall a nice proof that there is enough room in the movie/animation world for something different, concerning almost all factors of animated movie-making: direction, animation, dramaturgy, plot, message, visual narration and least but not last, the thing movies are best at, connecting different means of expression, like music, visual art, literature... etc. This feature animation based on (almost literally) Hugo Pratt's graphic novel Corto Maltese in Siberia encompasses all above-mentioned features beautifully, and I think meets some comic readers' secret expectations about how a cartoon on this subject should look like. Recommended is of course that you look up some historical facts and names appearing in the movie, of course the best you can do is to read the graphic novel. This may be the least effective side of the film, namely the plot and character positioning may be pretty confusing if you're not familiar with at least some of the facts manipulated in the film. The first thing that convinced me in the movie was beautiful transition from Pratt's black&white comics to this full color extravaganza. Even though colors are a totally different medium, here they speak in favor of Pratt's narration, whose main quality is a kind of storyboard organization of the plot. I've always wondered how his comics would look in full color. In contrast to the later editions of his comics in color, here the formula works excellently, whereas in the comics, merely colorized black&white drawings, the charm gets lost. The second thing I couldn't miss, but has no connection whatsoever with Pratts novels, was the music. This is the main addition to the general mysteriously melancholic air of his comics, that the film makers can be credited for. All in all a beautiful achievement, cinematically and literary, mainly for affectionados, but a little bit too short for the ones used to Pratts comics.

3 out of 4 people found the following review useful:
If it wasnt for Corto..., 17 November 2003

Author: jeronimal

I am a big Corto Maltese and Hugo Pratt fun and in a way a cinephile. This movie was unfortunately a disappointment. It only captures very small parts of Corto's character and the general mysticism normally surrounding this hero and his adventures. In fact, everyone in the movie seems to have acquired a French attitude and face (incl. the Chinese) and I think only Rasputin is close to the enjoyable and surreal persona of Pratt. The animation is fairly well made but it becomes especially week in times of action. The more dreamy sceneries and scenes were much better. Overall, not a movie that I would see again (despite my love for Corto) but not one that I would totally reject. See it as a homage but dont expect anything breathtaking as the original graphical novel(s).

9 out of 16 people found the following review useful:
Pointless but beautiful, 2 October 2003
Author: (banzaibill@yahoo.com)

Whoah.

This is a movie that promises a lot from the start: A collision of Russian, continental European and various Asian cultures, political intrigue, James Bond-style antics, religion, martial arts and romance. But in the end, it turns out as a story about... a train robbery. However, it's a wild ride that won't have you looking away from the screen for a second-unless you shy away at occasional violence and nudity...

It has to be one of the most visually interesting animated movies ever, not because of the quality and amount of work put in it, which is somewhat below the best Disney productions, but because of how it's used. From the stunning opening shots to the "fantastic-ized" outdoor enviroments, the varied and effectively (un)lit indoor scenes and the buildings, to the creatively directed character interactions, there's barely a few scenes at all that one could imagine being done with live actors at all!

This movie is true example of animation as an art form, not reducing itself to an imitation of the real life. No matter what you think about the character designs, which are somewhat stiff, all of them have significant, peculiar mannerisms that would be unthinkable to realize with actors. This attitude, both "retro" and reinventive, is exactly what is needed against the trend of "hyper-realistic" animation that has become prominent in recent years.

The other point of this movie is the MUSIC-an absolutely sparkling musical score that sets the perfect mood for each and every scene, except for a overly melodramatic build-up in the epilogue. It's one of the few movie soundtracks that i would try and find and listen to on it's own, because whenever it is heard it really stands out.

I recommend anyone interested in creative visuals as found in Japanese films (though certainly not Japanese animation!) to try and see this movie at least once, for the sake of the infinitely creative visual language. European animation is alive and well, certainly, just hope they find a better story for next one...

1 out of 1 people found the following review useful:
Beautiful film, 18 July 2010

Author: Rectangular_businessman from Peru

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

"Corto Maltese: La cour secrète des Arcanes" was one of the most beautiful and captivating animated films that I have ever saw. I must confess that I never read the original comics made by Hugo Pratt, but I have heard a lot of good things about them.

This movie, unlike many other animated films, is a epic, historical drama, that has all the feeling of any production of David Lean. The character designs are stylish and well made, the animation is fluid and detailed, filled with beautiful colors and pretty sceneries.

I loved everything about this film: The animation, the story, the characters, the music...This must be one of the most underrated animated films ever made, I can't believe that it doesn't get the recognition that I deserves. I highly recommend this film to anyone.

10/10

Surprisingly fine adaptation of a great comic book, 10 September 2008
Author: Diogenes81

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

Hugo Pratt was a master narrator, no doubt about it. Everything about his comic book adventures of "Corto Maltese" was elegant and graceful, from the charismatic but curiously laid-back dreamer of an hero to his friend/enemy Rasputin, a creature of pure Id and malevolence who still miraculously came across as sympathetic, from the magical exotic settings to the myriads of memorable secondary characters.

"La cour secrète des Arcanes" is a worthy adaptation of one of Corto's longest (and best) adventures. Beautiful to look at, with a stylish art direction, a pleasant soundtrack and a nice atmosphere, this cartoon is mature, intriguing and features characters of remarkable depth like Ungern Khan and the exceptional figure of Shangai Lil.

End of the First World War: sailor/adventurer Corto Maltese is recruited in Hong Kong by a mysterious secret society to recover the treasure of the Tsars hidden in a train in the middle of Asia. He is accompanied in his mission by his nemesis Rasputin and by the enigmatic Shangai Lil. To say more would be a pity - don't be deceived by the outrageous 6.5 average rating (why?) and watch it.

I'm quite sure Pratt would have loved this, and there can be no greater compliment.

8.2/10

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