The Point (1971)

A father tells his son a bedtime story about young Oblio (Mike Lookinland), 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 (Mike Lookinland). Despite his round head, Oblio has many friends. But an evil Count (Lennie Weinrib), jealous that Oblio is more popular than his own son (Buddy Foster), 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 three-headed man, giant bees, a tree in the leaf-selling business (Paul Frees), and a good-humored old rock (Bill Martin)). 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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although Sir Ringo Starr narrates the movie, 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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Quotes

Rock Man: You don't have to have yourself a Point to have yourself a Point.

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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 AniMat's Crazy Cartoon Cast: AniMat's Birthday Blowout (2019)

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Soundtracks

Think About Your Troubles
Written and Sung by Harry Nilsson

User Reviews

It was a great lesson in tolerance and acceptance.

Besides having a wonderful score written by Harry Nilson, including the song "Me and My Arrow" which was used in a car commercial, it had a great story and unique cartoons - very different for its day. I had seen it when it first came out with Dustin Hoffman as the father's voice, but the next time I saw it, Alan Thicke did the voice and I wondered if I had been mistaken. It is gratifying to know that I wasn't. I've never heard it with Ringo Starr in that part, but I think it would be interesting.

Details

Official Sites:

Fred Wolf Films

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 January 1972 (UK)

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