The Phoenix

The Phoenix

1990 · 10 min · ★ 6.5 · Animation, Fantasy

The ancient myth of the phoenix, the legendary bird with the amazing power of self-regeneration, is reborn with a modern twist. In this animated adaptation of a story by Sylvia Townsend Warner, we follow Lord Strawberry's search for the fabled bird. He finds it in the deserts of Arabia and brings it home to his aviary. Upon Lord Stawberry's death, however, the phoenix ends up as a sideshow in a fairground. This spirited satire of human foibles, with its timely message about our treatment of nature's creatures, will appeal to young people and adults alike.

Directed by Gayle Thomas

Your Rating

Cast

More from Gayle ThomasSee all →

M.C. Escher: Sky and Water 1M.C. Escher: Sky and Water 1 · 1998
M.C. Escher: Sky and Water 1
9.01998
MovieAnimation
The art of M.C. Escher (Dutch printmaker) never fails to facinate and astound. M.C. Escher: Sky and Water 1/M.C. Escher : l'air et l'eau 1 mixes traditional and computer animation -- accompanied by a stunning soundtrack -- to playfully explore and deconstruct the optical illusion within one of the artist's most famous works. A fitting homage to a master on the 100th anniversary of his birth. A film without words.
It's SnowIt's Snow · 1974
It's Snow
9.01974
MovieAnimation
Colour cut-out animation inspired by the shape of snowflakes and touched with the airy magic of these fragile designs. While music tinkles invitingly, snowflakes roll and whirl, pulse and glitter, shining with the many hues of twinkling lights. Made without words, this is a joyous film to please the fancy and captivate eye and ear.
QuiltQuilt · 1996
Quilt
8.01996
MovieAnimation
An abstract animated film, using computer and experimental techniques in choreographing quilt motifs and designs to music. A tribute to the unique and long-established art form of patchwork quilting. A film without words.
The Boy and the Snow GooseThe Boy and the Snow Goose · 1984
The Boy and the Snow Goose
8.01984
MovieAnimation
This animated short tells the story of a young boy who finds an injured snow goose and nurses it back to health. Constant companions through the sun-filled days of summer, the two sadly separate in the fall when the bird obeys the call to join its flock for the annual flight south. Will the friendship endure?
Poets on Film No. 1Poets on Film No. 1 · 1977
Poets on Film No. 1
8.01977
MovieAnimation
This short film brings together animated interpretations of four poems by great Canadian wordsmiths: "Riverdale Lion" by John Robert Colombo, "A Kite Is a Victim" by Leonard Cohen, "Klaxon" by James Reaney and George Johnston’s "The Bulge."
The Magic FluteThe Magic Flute · 1977
The Magic Flute
7.01977
MovieAnimationFantasy
An animated fable for children showing that things can be malignant or benign depending on how they are used--with good or evil intent.
A Sufi TaleA Sufi Tale · 1980
A Sufi Tale
4.31980
MovieAnimation
The inhabitants of a village learn to overcome their fears of the unknown.

More Like This

Steamboat WillieSteamboat Willie · 1928
Steamboat Willie
7.31928
MovieAnimationComedy
Mickey Mouse, piloting a steamboat, delights his passenger, Minnie Mouse, by making musical instruments out of the menagerie on deck.
The Night Before ChristmasThe Night Before Christmas · 1933
The Night Before Christmas
6.51933
MovieAnimation
A narrator sings the opening stanzas of the classic poem while we see the house at rest. Santa lands on the roof, comes down the chimney, and opens his bag. The toys march out and decorate the tree, with the toy soldiers shooting balls from their cannon, a toy airplane stringing a garland like skywriting, and the toy firemen applying snow. A blimp delivers the star to the top. Meanwhile, Santa fills the stockings. His laughter awakens the children, who sneak out. The toys rush to their places, and Santa escapes up the chimney just in time.
Bugs Bunny Gets the BoidBugs Bunny Gets the Boid · 1942
Bugs Bunny Gets the Boid
6.91942
MovieAnimationComedy
Mama Buzzard wants her children to learn to bring back meat for dinner. One buzzardling is shy and has to be kicked out of the nest. He's told to at least bring back a rabbit.
Corn ChipsCorn Chips · 1951
Corn Chips
7.31951
MovieAnimationComedy
Donald is shoveling the snow off his walk; Chip 'n' Dale are shoveling their branch. Donald tricks them into shoveling his walk. Angered, they sneak into his house, where he's getting ready to make popcorn. They've never seen this before, but they love it. They stow away in the box, then make off with the bowl of popped corn.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter