David and the Magic Pearl
Encyclopedia
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.
, 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.
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
.
Polish language
Polish is a language of the Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages, used throughout Poland and by Polish minorities in other countries...
/Swedish
Swedish language
Swedish is a North Germanic language, spoken by approximately 10 million people, predominantly in Sweden and parts of Finland, especially along its coast and on the Åland islands. It is largely mutually intelligible with Norwegian and Danish...
animated film released in 1988. Though it has faded into obscurity, the English version is better known than the original.
Summary
David, a boy who stays with his parents in a small cabin in a jungleJungle
A Jungle is an area of land in the tropics overgrown with dense vegetation.The word jungle originates from the Sanskrit word jangala which referred to uncultivated land. Although the Sanskrit word refers to "dry land", it has been suggested that an Anglo-Indian interpretation led to its...
, not only gets a reliable puppy
Puppy
A puppy is a juvenile dog. Some puppies may weigh , while larger ones can weigh up to . All healthy puppies grow quickly after birth. A puppy's coat color may change as the puppy grows older, as is commonly seen in breeds such as the Yorkshire Terrier...
for his birthday, but he also befriends a baby eagle
Eagle
Eagles are members of the bird family Accipitridae, and belong to several genera which are not necessarily closely related to each other. Most of the more than 60 species occur in Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, just two species can be found in the United States and Canada, nine more in...
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.
Original Polish Version
- Martin LindströmMartin LindstromMartin Lindstrom is an author and Time Magazine Influential 100 Honoree. Lindstrom's books include Buyology - Truth and Lies About Why We Buy and Brandwashed - Tricks Companies Use to Manipulate Our Minds and Persuade Us to Buy , his first title written for consumers, for which Lindstrom...
- David - Mia Benson - Madame Rusk
- Gunnar Ernblad David's Father
- Gunilla Norling - David's Mother
- Åke Lindström - The Boss
- Ewa Kania - Additional Voices
- Ewa Zlotowska - Additional Voices
- Jolanta Zykun - Additional Voices
- Ewa Zukowska - Additional Voices
- Jerzy Molga - Additional Voices
- Tadeusz Wludarski - Additional Voices
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 YouTubeYouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
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
Sigourney Weaver
Sigourney Weaver is an American actress. She is best known for her critically acclaimed role of Ellen Ripley in the four Alien films: Alien, Aliens, Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection, for which she has received worldwide recognition .Other notable roles include Dana...
and Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
.
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
An American Tail
An American Tail is a 1986 American animated adventure film directed by Don Bluth and produced by Sullivan Bluth Studios and Amblin Entertainment. The film tells the story of Fievel Mouskewitz and his family as they immigrate from Russia to America for freedom. However, Fievel gets lost and must...
, E.T.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a 1982 American science fiction film co-produced and directed by Steven Spielberg, written by Melissa Mathison and starring Henry Thomas, Dee Wallace, Robert MacNaughton, Drew Barrymore, and Peter Coyote...
and The Goonies
The Goonies
The Goonies is a 1985 American adventure-comedy film directed by Richard Donner. The screenplay was written by Chris Columbus from a story by executive producer Steven Spielberg. The premise surrounds a band of pre-teens who live in the "Goon Docks" neighborhood of Astoria, Oregon hoping to save...
.