I rented this film on VHS many years ago and found it striking. R.O. Blechman's animation style is at first very odd and Stravinsky is composer that people either love or loath. This was composed in 1918, only five years after The Rite of Spring. The original texts were in French (L'Histoire du Soldat), but this production is in English. A Soldier's Tale is a modern parable and was a reaction to the trauma of World War One. Max von Sydow brings a distinguished presence to the film and is simply superb as the Devil. If you give this film a chance, you will no doubt be drawn into its little world. It has just been released to DVD and is now available after a long absence.
Review of The Soldier's Tale
