The Soldier’s Tale

The Soldier’s Tale is an animated classic by the renowned New Yorker illustrator R.O. Blechman, based on Igor Stravinskys 1918 composition. This poetic tale revolves around a young soldiers return home, where he strikes a deal with the devil, trading his beloved violin for boundless wealth. Haunted by regret, the soldier sets out on a journey to reclaim his soul and rediscovers the life he left behind. As the soldier ventures into these alternate realities, Blechmans simple pen-and-ink drawings explode into colorful fantasies. The film was a milestone in the marriage of animation and music (Stravinskys Rite of Spring was used to score one of the most memorable sequences of Walt Disneys Fantasia). This 2K restoration of The Soldiers Tale (from the filmmakers personal 35mm print) is accompanied by Blechmans Christmas-themed short film No Room at the Inn.

Special Features:
Audio Commentary by Director R.O. Blechman, Animator Tissa David, and Associate Producer George Griffin
No Room at the Inn, a Short Film by R.O. Blechman
The Hand of R.O. Blechman, a Collection of Animated Shorts and Commercials