The Point | 
| Director: Fred Wolf
Actors: Ringo Starr, Dustin Hoffman, Paul Frees, Lennie Weinrib, Bill Martin
Studio: RCA
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.98
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Rating:  191 reviews
Sales Rank: 2147
Format: Color, Dolby, Dvd-video, Full Screen, Soundtrack, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 74 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: 828765971096
UPC: 828765971096
EAN: 0828765971096
ASIN: B0001JXPSO
Theatrical Release Date: 1986
Release Date: March 23, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
No Description Available
No Track Information Available
Media Type: DVD
Artist: NILSSON/STARR
Title: POINT
Street Release Date: 03/23/2004
Domestic
Genre: CHILDREN'S VIDEO
Amazon.com
Harry Nilsson wrote the entirely hummable songs (including the hit, "Me and My Arrow") for this charming, 1971 animation feature about a boy with a round head who is banished from the land of pointy-headed people. An allegory about nonconformism presented in a delightful way, this is a treat for everybody. Ringo Starr, the late Nilsson's old pal, narrates. --Tom Keogh
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| Customer Reviews: Read 186 more reviews...
Classic allegory about conformism February 3, 2005
Wayne Klein (My Little Blue Window, USA)
69 out of 70 found this review helpful
Harry Nilsson had a point and knew exactly what it was. This allegorical classic had a simple but direct message--accept everyone for who they are and not force them to fit into a preconceived notion of who they should be. Oblio and Arrow his dog are banned from the town they live in. Why? Because the Evil Count decides that anyone that can beat his son at a game (misuse of power) and looks different (Oblio's the only child with a round head not a pointed head) shouldn't be allowed in the town. He's called pointless by the Count and others. But Oblio in Nilsson's extended allegory finds that nothing is pointless least of all himself.
A charming film full of colorful imagery, "The Point" remains a classic to this day regardless of which one of the narrators you heard when you saw it. For the record, Dustin Hoffman was the original narrator. He was replaced by Ringo Starr and, then, finally Alan Thicke (of "Growing Pains" fame). The narrator on the original album was, of course, Nilsson himself. He would have done a delightful job of narrating this animated classic but elected to go with a professional "actor" in each case.
There's not much in the way of extras. We can go directly to each song which is a nice touch although including Nilsson's original album (with his narration) would have been nice. Also, what about deleted scenes, a gallery of character designs and, perhaps, some footage of Nilsson himself? Ah well, perhaps next time.
The picture quality is quite good although there's some minor analog imperfections such as dirt and debris but, on the whole, the film looks remarkably good. The soundtrack recorded in mono has more presence than the videotape version. I would have liked a surround mix of the original songs but that would have required remixing the original album mastertapes and that's probably not going to happen anytime soon. Also pick up Harry's album of the same name. The reissue of Harry's classic album supervised by Curtis Armstrong (yes, THE Curtis Armstrong of "Moonlighting Fame" and who gave a marvelous performance as the owner Ahmet Ertegunof Atlantic Records in "Ray")includes two early versions of songs that ended up on the album as well as a replica of the original booklet that came with the album.
Longing for the good old days January 10, 2000
GARY M FREDRICKSON (California, USA)
29 out of 29 found this review helpful
I saw this movie on television when I was approximately 13 years old. I loved it then and became a huge fan of Harry's music. I have been trying in vain to find this movie on tape so I may share it with my husband, my step sons who are 16 year old twins and an 11 year old, and for my nieces who are 10 and 5. I have no doubt that it would become their favorite also. The story is timeless, although the animation isn't what is up to par by today's standards, but I don't think it would really matter because the sound track that goes with this story lets your imagination take over and love the topic and theme. I really can't say enough about this...I pray that it is re-released. Harry Nielson was one of the greats. p.s. This is not Gary writing this review. It's his wife.
Finally on DVD!!!! July 23, 2003
Ardeal (Atlanta, GA United States)
29 out of 29 found this review helpful
I remember watching this cartoon almost 20 years ago - and then again, just 2 years ago on a worn-out VHS. The message is simple yet to the point: In fact, everything has a point. And the music is so very captivating - from "Me and my arrow" to "Are you sleeping". If you like Beatles - type music, you'll love this soundtrack. The cartoons are simplistic yet never dull and may actually help in getting the message of this movie more clearly.The movie starts with us being introduced to a village in which everything has a physical point. People look like coneheads. Dogs, homes - everything has a physical point. The birth of a boy with round head causes trouble in the village which ultimately leads to him being banished. Most of the movie depicts Oblio's adventures with his dog named Arrow in the "Pointless Forest". After learning some valuable lessons, he returns to his village. Rather than spoiling the ending, I'll let you find out the outcome.
Do you have to have a "point" to have a point? February 8, 2001
Alan R. Holyoak (Idaho)
23 out of 24 found this review helpful
In "The Point" we meet and follow the experiences of a little lad named Oblio. Oblio was born with a round head, but into a pointed world. Everything in his village has points. The buildings have points, the houses have points, and the main product of local industry is, well, points. The people even have pointed heads. What is a little round-headed fellow to do?Oblio endures the inevitable taunting of school mates, and other challenges that accompany someone who is, well, different. Through it all though, Oblio remains pleasant, and polite. After all of his trials, Oblio finally learns the answer to the question, "Do you have to have a 'point' to have a point?" This movie works at multiple levels. It works as high quality entertainment for children of all ages. It has animation remeniscent of "School House Rock" from the 1970s, memorable music, including the song, "Me and My Arrow," and a great story line. This movie also works for adults concerned about issues of diversity. This movie would be as appropriate in a college classroom as in a family's front room. I highly recommend this movie to one and all. You will enjoy it thoroughly...if you can find it. 5-stars all the way! Alan Holyoak
"disapointed" review missed THE POINT! June 25, 2005
FPS Fanatic
16 out of 16 found this review helpful
As there are already many reviews explaining why this movie/record is so important, I wanted to respond to the review titled (and misspelled) "disapointed." Specifically, I believe this reviewer missed the Point of the story...
That reviewer states:
"...and then at the end--just when we thought the whole story was about being accepted as you are Oblio grows a point! Instead of internal change, new found awareness and just acceptance for who he was--he physically changed and grew a point so he looked like the people that kicked him out for being different--it dampened the point of the story! Yeah, it's symbolic, but wouldn't it be better if he came back--same round head and everyone embraced him just the same?"
The important Point that this reviewer missed is that at the end of the story EVERYONE in the town loses their Points (becomes round-headed like Oblio was) and now ONLY Oblio has a Point...So, in the end he is still different from everyone in the town...He has become "Normal" and they become "Different." In other words, what is "Different" completely depends on your Point of view. THAT is the POINT of this story. Which of course implies what the reviewer of "disapointed" wanted the story to imply: acceptance of people different than you. However, by implying this Point instead of just coming out and being obvious about it, the story is much more powerful and allows people (especially children) to understand the Point of the story at a much deeper, fundamental level.
I believe this delivery of the Point of the story is extremely important...Especially in this age of institutionalized hypocrisy children are exposed to everyday. If the townspeople of the Land of Point had simply said, "We're sorry Oblio, we were wrong." it would be extremely easy for children watching the movie to see the falseness of the situation and dismiss the message completely! People do not change that easily. Children are smart, give them credit for understanding (even at an extremely young age) that the world is not fair ("why do I have to go to bed when you get to stay up?"). Great fables do not simply state the moral; they show the ridiculousness of NOT understanding the moral, leaving the audience with a much greater understanding of its universal truth.
In this age of spoon-feed "truths", "The Point!" stands as a timeless fable that all children deserve to see/hear!
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