The Point (1971)

A father tells his son a bedtime story about young Oblio, who believes that having no point in the fantastical kingdom of pointed heads and things, still has a point.

Director:

Fred Wolf

Writers:

Harry Nilsson (story), Carole Beers (story) (as Carole A. Beers)

Stars:

Ringo Starr, Dustin Hoffman, Paul Frees

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Ringo Starr	...	Narrator / Father (home video release) (voice)
Paul Frees	...	Oblio's Father / Pointed Man's Right Head / King / Leaf Man / Villagers (voice)
Lennie Weinrib	...	Count (voice) (as Lenny Weinrib)
Bill Martin	...	Rock Man (voice)
Buddy Foster	...	Count's Son (voice)
Joan Gerber	...	Oblio's Mother (voice)
Mike Lookinland	...	Oblio (voice)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Alan Barzman	...	Narrator / Father (second telecast)
Dustin Hoffman	...	Narrator / Father (First Telecast)
Alan Thicke	...	Narrator / Father (third telecast)

Storyline

An animated story of an unusual kingdom in which everything and everybody is pointed - except for a young boy named Oblio. Despite his round head, Oblio has many friends. But an evil count, jealous that Oblio is more popular than his own son, says that without a pointed head, Oblio is an outlaw. Along with his faithful dog Arrow, Oblio is exiled to the Pointless Forest. There, he has many fantastic experiences (including encounters with a 3-headed man, giant bees, a tree in the leaf-selling business, and a good-humored old rock). From his adventures, Oblio learns that it is not at all necessary to be pointed to have a point in life. Music composed and performed by Harry Nilsson ("Me and My Arrow"), who also wrote the story.

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Plot Keywords:

cult film | point | kingdom | boy | giant bee | 

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Genres:

Animation | Adventure | Family | Fantasy

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Fred Wolf Films

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 February 1971 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Point

Company Credits

Production Co:

Murakami-Wolf Productions, Nilsson House Music Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although Ringo Starr narrates the film, Harry Nilsson narrated the original soundtrack album. Fun fact: the soundtrack to this movie was released by RCA Records. On the cover of this album, Nipper, the RCA dog, has a pointed head.

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Alternate Versions

The TV version features a narration by Dustin Hoffman; the Video Tape and Laser Disc releases are narrated by Ringo Starr.

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Connections

Featured in Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin' About Him?) (2010)

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Soundtracks

Poli High
Written and Sung by Harry Nilsson

User Reviews

great movie for kids/adults

I also watched this movie as a kid in the early 1970's. I think I first saw it at home (around '72 or '73) and a couple of years later saw it at school.

I imagine it was used to promote peace and harmony not only among the races, but also among conservatives/liberals, and the like. Oblio was a kid who was born (the only one) without a point on his head. He goes into exile and is determined to find "his point" with his dog Arrow. Eventually, he returns to town to see if they will accept him along with his differences and is stunned to find out he now DOES have a point on his head. The only problem is that the town now has round heads, but they take him in warmly. Excellent movie to teach about racism or how we are all different, but we must all be accepted.