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

Narrator: Once upon a time, a long way from here, and a long way from now, there was a tiny village where everything, the houses and the carts, the bridges and the barns, everything, all had points on them. In fact, it was so full of points, that even the people had points! The people, right there on top of their heads! And it didn't seem strange at all, because that's the way life was in the village. That's the way it always had been, and for all anybody knew, that's the way it always would be.

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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

Referenced in The Simpsons: To Cur with Love (2012)

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Soundtracks

Are You Sleeping?
Written and Sung by Harry Nilsson

User Reviews

why isn't this shown more?

I saw this on ABC's Movie of the Week when it was first shown in 1971. I was in 8th grade then and just loved it.

I think it was only repeated once.

It should be repeated every year like Charlie Brown and Rudolph.

This generation would really benefit from it.It might make them think a little

The messages of tolerance and respecting others' differences never get old.

Plus the music was very uplifting and the characters are appealing

The fact that I still remember (and would like to see)this movie after 35 years must mean something.

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