The Little Prince (1974)

A pilot, stranded in the desert, meets a little boy who is a prince on a planet.

Director:

Stanley Donen

Writers:

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (story "Le Petit Prince"), Alan Jay Lerner

Stars:

Richard Kiley, Steven Warner, Joss Ackland

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Steven Warner	...	The Little Prince
Joss Ackland	...	The King
Clive Revill	...	The Business Man
Victor Spinetti	...	The Historian
Graham Crowden	...	The General
Richard Kiley	...	The Pilot
Donna McKechnie	...	The Rose
Bob Fosse	...	The Snake
Gene Wilder	...	The Fox

Storyline

Based on the story by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, this magical musical fable begins as a pilot makes a forced landing on the barren Sahara Desert. He is befriended by a "little" prince from the planet Asteroid B-612. In the days that follow, the pilot learns of the small boy's history and planet-hopping journeys in which he met a King, a businessman, an historian, and a general. It isn't until he comes to Earth that the Little Prince learns the secrets of the importance of life from a Fox, a Snake, and the pilot.

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Plot Keywords:

reference to bob fosse | pilot | prince | desert | planet | 

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Genres:

Family | Fantasy | Musical | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 November 1974 (USA)

Also Known As:

El principito

Filming Locations:

Elstree Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo (1937 Reissue) (Stereo) 4-Track Stereo (1937 Reissue) (Stereo)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Movie reviewer Stewart Klein of WNEW-TV in New York City reviewed this film using only seven words: "The Little Prince is a big dog."

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Goofs

Since a boa constrictor is not venomous, its bite wouldn't pose any danger to a person.

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Quotes

The Pilot: Over the years, I came to know a great many grownups. My opinion of them never improved. In time, I stopped showing my drawing, and never again mentioned boa constrictors, elephants, or stars - instead, I would talk about golf, money, politics, and neckties, and everyone was pleased to have met such a sensible man.

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Connections

Referenced in Role Model: Gene Wilder (2008)

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Soundtracks

Closer And Closer And Closer
Music by Frederick Loewe
Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner
Performed by Gene Wilder and Steven Warner

User Reviews

Wonderful film

I'm always amazed at reading reviews-- especially those where the viewers either loved or hated the film, with no one in between. Antoine de Saint-Exupery's tale of lost youth and unresolved childhood desires is the basis of this film, which one reviewer here calls "...an overlooked gem." I certainly share this view. The film is a delight but should not be compared too closely with the book. However, the basic message of the book, i.e., the innocence of youth embraces the significant values of human life and is all too soon lost, comes through nicely. The character of Kiley, as the pilot, Wilder, as the fox, and Fosse, as a delightful snake, are very suggestive of their counterparts in the story.

How successful this is as a musical, I would guess, is still up for grabs. I couldn't recall much of the music later, which is usually a good indication whether a show has legs. But, the tunes are pleasant and children seem to enjoy the fantasy of it all.

This is a splendid little film. Don't overlook it.