The King And The Mocking Bird

Paul Grimault directs this 1980s French animated tale inspired by a short story from Hans Christian Anderson. The tyrannical, cross-eyed King of Takicardia (voice of Pascal Mazzotti) is much-hated by his subjects and only a mockingbird (Jean Martin) who lives nearby is willing to stand up to the ruler by poking fun at him. At night the king's paintings of a shepherdess (Agnes Viala) and a chimney sweep (Renaud Marx), who are in love with one another, come to life and try to escape their evil keeper.

When a painted version of the king chases them down, the mockingbird intervenes. Jacques Prévert, the French poet, co-wrote the script with Grimault.