BBC iPlayer has just added a critically acclaimed animated film that is sure to blow you away.
Based on one of the most beloved children’s books ever penned, this cherished tale of adventure and friendship has been brought to life in stunning hand-drawn animation reminiscent of classic Disney films.
Following its airing on BBC One this afternoon (Sunday, 3rd August), this pulse-pounding journey of discovery will be available to stream entirely free of charge for a limited period.
Viewers can be confident of the film’s quality as it boasts an impressive 97 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Even better, the film’s runtime is a swift hour and 16 minutes, making it the perfect choice for a leisurely afternoon.
Kensuke’s Kingdom, based on the celebrated 1999 novel by Michael Morpurgo, charts the exciting voyage of a young boy (voiced by Aaron MacGregor) at sea who eventually finds himself marooned on a desert island, reports the Mirror.
Fortunately, he soon realises he’s not alone. The boy, along with his dog Stella Artois, forms an unlikely bond with a Japanese man named Kensuke (Ken Watanabe) and the orangutans who have made the island their home, who assist him in surviving.
Although Kensuke speaks little English, he gradually unveils his own tragic life story of escaping Japan during the horrors of the Second World War.
This touching tale is ideal for families with slightly older children eager to immerse themselves in an epic journey of adventure, history and survival.
One viewer on Rotten Tomatoes hailed Kensuke’s Kingdom as “a breathtakingly beautiful film that’s gentle on the senses as its delicately delivered themes.”
A five-star Google review concurred, stating: “Magical and emotionally powerful film that deserves to become a family classic.
“Avoiding spoilers here is hard, but there is one drop of ink in the film that took my breath away and had my throat in knots. It’s beautiful, powerful, emotional, yet comfortingly familiar.
“A film to cosy up on the sofa under a blanket with your favourite young family and rewatch every year to remember the important themes of anti-war and respect for nature that run through it. Beautiful film.”
Another reviewer echoed these sentiments, declaring: “Awesome movie with beautiful visuals and meaningful storytelling.”
The acclaim continued on Letterboxd, where one enthusiast gushed: “Beautiful and full of heart!
“Simple, familiar concept but so well executed. It’s Cast Away mixed with Avatar and shades of Planet of the Apes.
“Very good dosage between feel good and tragedy, had a smile on my face most of the time but I also had tears in my eyes twice.”
Cinema-goers were equally taken with the stellar voice cast, featuring Oppenheimer Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy and Paddington favourite Sally Hawkins.
“Went to the theatre to hear Cillian’s voice and to have a fun time. Left sobbing uncontrollably,” one moviegoer confessed.
“This film’s message is so beautiful and moving, knowing that Cillian wanted to be part of this project makes me love him even more and I didn’t even know that could be possible.”
Kensuke’s Kingdom is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.