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David and the Magic Pearl (known as David & Sandy internationally) is a Polish/Swedish animated film released in 1988. Though it has faded into obscurity, the English version is better known than the original.
| David and the Magic Pearl | |
|---|---|
| Starring | Ewa Kania Ewa Zlotowska Jolanta Zykun Ewa Zukowska Jerzy Molga Tadeusz Wludarski |
| Cinematography | Jan Ptasinski |
| Edited by | Hanna Michalewicz |
| Music by | Seweryn Krajewski (original) Claes Wang (English version) |
| Distributed by | Film Polski (Poland) AB Svensk Filmindustri (Sweden) Celebrity Home Entertainment (USA) |
Release dates | June 1988 (Poland) November 5, 1988 (Sweden) 1991 (USA) October 9, 1993 (Finland) |
Running time | 71 min. |
| Country | Poland/Sweden |
| Language | Polish |
Summary
David, a boy who stays with his parents in a small cabin in a jungle, not only gets a reliable puppy for his birthday, but he also befriends a baby eagle who he names Sandy (hence the film's original title). They discover that a stereotypical boss, named Mr. Stealmore in the English version, is after a set of pearls (which are magic) which were to be kept safe by a group of aliens who landed in the jungle. Now, the trio have to band together and save the jungle from Mr. Stealmore, who has also plotted to bulldoze the jungle and build a city in its place.
Cast
Swedish Version
- Martin Lindström - David
- Mia Benson - Madame Rusk
- Gunnar Ernblad David's Father
- Gunilla Norling - David's Mother
- Åke Lindström - The Boss
Polish Version
- Ewa Kania - David
- Ewa Zlotowska - David's Mother
- Jolanta Zykun - Additional Voices
- Ewa Zukowska - Additional Voices
- Jerzy Molga - David's Father
- Tadeusz Wludarski - The Boss
English Version
- Christine Cavanaugh - David
- Frank Welker - Cave Tiki
Response
Although it is unknown what the film's budget and box office gross was, the film is nonetheless recognized (particularly the English version) for its bizarre animation. The English version is especially well known since 2007 when a YouTube user began deriving unintentional comedy from the English version, even being posted on YouTube in its entirety (both English and Polish versions) in 2009. The English version has been cited as being inferior to the original Polish version because David's narration (which was not present in the original version) takes up most of the film as well as nonsensical pop culture references, such as mentions of Sigourney Weaver and Madonna.
In Poland, the movie was extremely popular with children during the 1980's and comic books based on the film were produced. In Poland, it is also considered one of the greatest 80's films for children, among other films of that genre such as An American Tail, E.T. and The Goonies.