History WesternAnimation / TheKingAndTheMockingbird

* {{Bishonen}}: The Chimney Sweep was drawn probably more with angelic standards in mind rather than human.

* BigBadWannabe: [[spoiler: Real King Charles ends up quickly disposed of by his more competent self-portrait that came to life]].
* BigDamnHeroes: The Mockingbird plays this role for the couple, coming to their rescue whenever they call on him. [[spoiler: Subverted the third time they call on him, since he's in prison right alongside them.]]

* CrusadingWidow: The mockingbird whose crusade revolves around a one-man resistance against the tyrant by insulting him and getting away with it. He gets a more active role once the portrait lovers freedom is threatened and by the end [[spoiler: he masterminds a rebellion from the Lower City inhabitants and all the trapped animals that ends the evil king's tyranny once and for all.]]

* DisneyVillainDeath: An interesting variation [[spoiler: as it's a horizontal one thanks to a giant robotic ventilator.]]

* DroppedABridgeOnHim: [[spoiler: The real King Charles and the police chief]] are both unceremoniously disposed of.

%% * GettingCrapPastThe Radar: Due to overwhelming and persistent misuse, GCPTR is on-page examples only until 01 June 2021. If you are reading this in the future, please check the trope page to make sure your example fits the current definition.

** [[spoiler: Which is later hijacked by the mockingbird and used [[HoistByHisOwnPetard to destroy the entire palace.]]]]

* NoEndorHolocaust: [[spoiler: The giant robot reduces the ''entire city and castle'' to rubble in the ending. Apart from a few shots of people running away from the wreckage it's just taken for granted that everyone, including the poverty-stricken Lower City citizens, got out alive.]]

* SitcomArchNemesis: The mockingbird initially acts more like a {{Troll}} to King Charles until the Shepherdess and the Chimney Sweep are involved [[spoiler: but then, it's not real King Charles anymore anyway]].

* StarterVillain: [[spoiler: Real King Charles, who arguably doubles as a VillainProtagonist for the movie's first minutes.]]

* TrapDoor: {{Exaggerated|Trope}}, King Charles can open a TrapDoor ''absolutely anywhere in the entire upper city''; they even fit the size of whoever he wants to get rid of. [[spoiler: At some point a trap door goes as far as actively pursuing its target through the room!]]

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: This happens to everyone that King Charles drops down a hole most notably [[spoiler: King Charles ''himself'', who is dropped down a hole by a painting of him who comes to life, assumes his role, and is treated as if he was the king from that point onward]]. The fact that the button that activates these trapdoors has a skull pawn on it heavily implies the worst. Also, [[spoiler:King Charles's dog]].

* DeusExMachina: The Mockingbird plays this role for the couple, coming to their rescue whenever they call on him. [[spoiler: Subverted the third time they call on him, since he's in prison right alongside them.]]

* CrusadingWidower: The mockingbird whose crusade revolves around a one-man resistance against the tyrant by insulting him and getting away with it. He gets a more active role once the portrait lovers freedom is threatened and by the end [[spoiler: he masterminds a rebellion from the Lower City inhabitants and all the trapped animals that ends the evil king's tyranny once and for all.]]

* NiceHat: Several characters including the mockingbird, the Shepherdess, and King Charles' portrait.
** The mockingbird later switches his for the robot pilot's hat.
** The bowler-hatted police.

* AssholeVictim: [[spoiler:The real King Charles ends up thrown in one of his own holes by his self-portrait that came to life]] and presumably dies. However, since this is the same guy who killed the Mockingbird's wife and has the nasty habit to kill his servants for the flimsiest reasons, no one will shed a tear.]]

* SceneryPorn: The locations are absolutely gorgeous, sometimes being reminiscent of Chirico's or Magritte's paintings. Additionally, the lower city appears to be a ShoutOut to FritzLang's Film/{{Metropolis}}.

* TrapDoor: {{Exaggerated|Trope}}, King Charles can open a TrapDoor ''absolutely anywhere in the entire upper city''; they even fit the size of whoever he wants to get rid of. [[spoiler: At some point [[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments a trap door goes as far as actively pursuing its target through the room]]!]]

The 1952 release, retitled ''The Curious Adventures of Mr. Wonderbird'' and featuring the voice of Peter Ustinov, has entered the public domain and can be viewed on the [[https://archive.org/details/The_Curious_Adventures_of_Mr._Wonderbird Web Archive]].

* GettingCrapPastTheRadar: At one point, the chimney sweep does a [[http://people.howstuffworks.com/10-obscene-hand-gestures-from-around-world3.htm chin flick]] to a statue of the king, much to the shepherdess's amusement.

* TheCaligula: King Charles is a classic example who combines futuristic elements with a more traditional, baroque dress code and flamboyant behaviour with wanton violence and murder.

* KnightOfCerebus: Arguably, King Charles[[spoiler:' self-portrait, who lacks the cross-eyes and is more cool-headed than the original when he replaces him]].

A classic French animated film (French title: ''Le Roi et l'oiseau'', literally ''The King and the Bird'') directed by Paul Grimault, with one of the longest development times in animation history; even longer than ''WesternAnimation/TheThiefAndTheCobbler''.[[note]]Although the total amount of years is less when you consider that the film was made in two parts: 1948–52 and 1977–79, a total of 6 or so years. The production delay was caused by money and copyright issues, with director Grimault spending 15 years getting the rights of the film back and another ten getting funding to finish the film.[[/note]]

* ArtInitiatesLife: Three paintings and one statue come to life over the course of the film, but after a little while the film just treats them like real people. Given the surreal, fairy-tale quality of the whole film it's not as jarring as it sounds.

* AssholeVictim: [[spoiler:The real King Charles]] ends up thrown in [[spoiler:one of his own holes by his self-portrait that came to life]] and presumably dies. However, since this is the same guy who [[spoiler:killed the Mockingbird's wife and has the nasty habit to kill his servants for the flimsiest reasons]], no one will shed a tear.

* BigBadWannabe: [[spoiler: Real]] King Charles [[spoiler:ends up quickly disposed of by his more competent self-portrait that came to life]].

** As mentioned below, King Charles' [[TrapDoor trap doors]], which he is incredibly fond of. In an architectural sense and point of view however, those trapdoors range from bizarre to downright impossible.

* HumansAreFlawed: An incredibly [[FridgeBrilliance subtle]] example. Notice how the portrait characters are idealized in comparison to the comically portrayed humans? [[spoiler:This is especially evident with the bumbling King Charles and his dangerously competent self-portrait.]]

** [[spoiler: Which is later hijacked by the mockingbird and used [[HoistByHisOwnPetard for destroying the entire palace.]]]]

* KnightOfCerebus: Arguably, King Charles[[spoiler:'s self-portrait, who lacks the cross-eyes and is more cool-headed than the original when he replaces him]].
* LargeHam: Just the mockingbird. He simply can't resist shouting at King Charle's face at every opportunity and makes sure that everyone will hear him thanks to his enthusiasm.

* RevisedEnding: The film was originally released in 1952 before it was completed, with a standard [[spoiler:HappilyEverAfter ending]]. The completed 1980 version replaced it with a [[spoiler:[[RuleOfSymbolism more symbolic ending]] where one of the baby birds is locked in a cage and is freed by the giant robot]].

King Charles V+III=VIII+VIII=XVI, ruler of Tachycardia, is a vain, spiteful bully whose life's passion is hunting - not that he's particularly good at it, owing to being cross-eyed. His greatest foe is the titular Mockingbird, who seeks revenge on the king for killing his wife while hunting, and who mocks him at every turn. When the king falls in love with a portrait of a beautiful shepherdess, the mockingbird seizes on the chance to overthrow the cruel monarch once and for all.

** As mentionned below, King Charles' [[TrapDoor trap doors]], which he is incredibly fond of. In an architectural sense and point of view however, those trapdoors range from bizarre to downright impossible.

King Charles the[[note]]five plus three equals eight plus eight equals[[/note]] Sixteenth, ruler of Tachycardia, is a vain, spiteful bully whose life's passion is hunting - not that he's particularly good at it, owing to being cross-eyed. His greatest foe is the titular Mockingbird, who seeks revenge on the king for killing his wife while hunting, and who mocks him at every turn. When the king falls in love with a portrait of a beautiful shepherdess, the mockingbird seizes on the chance to overthrow the cruel monarch once and for all.

The film is dedicated to its scriptwriter Jacques Prévert, who died in 1977 before it was fully finished. It is considered a major inspiration by Creator/HayaoMiyazaki.

* {{Bizarrchitecture}}: The city and palace are filled with impossibly long staircases and towers.

* TheBeastMaster: The blind man unintentionally (since he didn't have any mastering aspirations) ends up becoming one because his music emotionally relieves the depressed lions and makes them even dance.

* InstantAwesomeJustAddMecha: You wouldn't expect a giant robot to show up in a story written by Jacques Prévert (and based on a Hans Christian Anderson fairytale to boot), but there it is anyway.

A classic French animated film (French title: ''Le Roi et l'oiseau'') directed by Paul Grimault, with one of the longest development times in animation history; even longer than ''WesternAnimation/TheThiefAndTheCobbler''.[[note]]Although the total amount of years is less when you consider that the film was made in two parts: 1948–52 and 1977–79, a total of 6 or so years. The production delay was caused by money and copyright issues, with director Grimault spending 15 years getting the rights of the film back and another ten getting funding to finish the film.[[/note]]

A classic French animated film (French title: ''Le Roi et l'oiseau'') directed by Paul Grimault, with one of the longest development times in animation history; even longer than ''WesternAnimation/TheThiefAndTheCobbler''.[[note]]Although the total amount of years is less when you consider that the film was made in two parts: 1948–52 and 1977–79, a total of 6 or so years. The production delay was caused by money and copyright issues, with director Grimault spending fifteen years getting the rights of the film back and an additional ten getting the funding to finish the film.[[/note]]

King Charles the[[note]]five plus three equals eight plus eight equals[[/note]] Sixteenth, ruler of Tachycardia, is a spiteful and vain bully whose life's passion is hunting - not that he's particularly good at it, owing to being crosseyed. His greatest foe is the titular Mockingbird, who seeks revenge on the king for killing his wife while hunting, and who mocks him at every turn. When the king falls in love with a portrait of a beautiful shepherdess, the mockingbird seizes on the chance to overthrow the cruel monarch once and for all.

The film is dedicated to its scriptwriter Jacques Prevert, who died in 1977 before it was fully finished. It is considered a major inspiration by Creator/HayaoMiyazaki.

* ViewersAreGeniuses: A lot of the references and satire might go over the heads of non-French viewers, as well as viewers not versed in art and architectural history.

A classic French animated film (French title: ''Le Roi et l'oiseau'') directed by Paul Grimault, with one of the longest development times in animation history; even longer than ''WesternAnimation/TheThiefAndTheCobbler''.[[note]]Although the total amount of years is less when you consider that the film was made in two parts: 1948-1952 and 1977-1979, a total of 6 or so years. The production delay was caused by money and copyright issues, with director Grimault spending fifteen years getting the rights of the film back and an additional ten getting the funding to finish the film.[[/note]]

The film is dedicated to its script writer Jacques Prevert, who died in 1977 before it was fully finished. It is considered a major inspiration by Creator/HayaoMiyazaki.

* AdaptationalBadass: The shepherdess. In the original fairy tale the shepherdess was terrified of the outside and insisted on going back inside the house. Here she's eager to escape and see the world.

* AssholeVictim: [[spoiler:The real King Charles]] ends up thrown in [[spoiler:one of his own holes by his self-portrait that came to life]] and presumably dies. However, since this is the same guy who [[spoiler:killed the Mockingbird's wife and has the nasty habit to kill his servants for the flimsiest reasons]], noone will shed a tear.

* BigBadWannabe: [[spoiler: Real]] King Charles [[spoiler:ends up quickly disposed by his more competent self-portrait that came to life]].

* CampStraight: The king and his court has some rather ambiguous mannerisms, thanks to their pretentious poses and their exaggerated hand gestures.
* CommediaDellArte: The Sheperdess and the Chimney Sweep are the Lovers, King Charles is the Captain, the mockingbird is Arlecchino and the blind man is Pierrot.

* DisneyVillainDeath: An interesting variation [[spoiler: as it's an horizontal one thanks to a giant robotic ventilator.]]

* EvilTwin: King Charles' [[spoiler:self-portrait, that came to life.]] Well, even more evil than the original.

* ImperialStormtrooperMarksmanshipAcademy: King Charles. Justified due to him being cross-eyed not that him or anyone near him would dare to admit it.

* KnightOfCerebus: Arguably, King Charles[[spoiler:'s self portrait, who lacks the cross-eyes and is more cool-headed than the original when he replaces him]].

** King Charles is established as a(n incompetent) hunter, and has a museum dedicated to sculptures of his supposed exploits. [[spoiler:His self portrait]] hunts for the Sheperdress and the Chimney Sweep throughout the castle; the latter two even find themselves in the museum.
** Various animals are locked up in cages: the monkeys in the zoo, the big cats and bears in the dungeon; etc. Even the mockingbird's home resembles a bird cage.

* NiceHat: Several characters including the mockingbird, the Sheperdess and King Charles' portrait.

* OffModel: Due to the [[DevelopmentHell long span between]] [[ExecutiveMeddling the films start and finish]], old and new animation is used to mix the film together. One obvious example is the scene with the lions, where they change appearance between cuts!

* SitcomArchNemesis: The mockingbird initially acts more like a {{Troll}} to King Charles until the Sheperdess and the Chimney Sweep are involved [[spoiler: but then, it's not real King Charles anymore anyway]].

* TrapDoor: [[ExaggeratedTrope Exaggerated]], King Charles can open a TrapDoor ''absolutely anywhere in the entire upper city''; they even fit the size of whoever he wants to get rid of. [[spoiler: At some point [[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments a trap door goes as far as actively pursuing its target through the room]]!]]

* VillainousCrush: King Charles[[spoiler:'s portrait]] with the Sheperdess.

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: This happens to everyone that King Charles drops down a hole most notably [[spoiler: King Charles ''himself,'' who is dropped down a hole by a painting of him who comes to life, assumes his role, and is treated as if he was the king from that point onward]]. The fact that the button that activates these trapdoors has a skull pawn on it heavily implies the worst. Also, [[spoiler:King Charles's dog]].

* DistractedByTheShiny: At one point the Mockingbird distracts the king from the couple by having his fellow birds form a flattering portrait of him.
* DoesNotLikeShoes: The Shepherdess tends to go barefoot.

* TheBeastMaster: The blind man.

* {{Bishonen}}: The Chimney Sweep.

* GuileHero: The mockingbird.

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: This happens to everyone that King Charles drops down a hole most notably [[spoiler: King Charles ''himself,'' who is dropped down a hole by a painting of him who comes to life, assumes his role, and is treated as if he was the king from that point onward]]. The fact that the button that activates these trapdoors has a skull pawn on it leads to some nasty implications. Also, [[spoiler:King Charles's dog]].

* BadBoss: King Charles has a nasty habit of dropping the people working for him down a hole the second they slightly displease him. Or when they [[HeKnowsTooMuch know about his secret appartment]].

* TheCaligula: King Charles.

* CrusadingWidower: The mockingbird.

* DisneyVillainDeath: An interesting variation as it's an horizontal one.

* EeriePaleSkinnedBrunette: King Charles and the blind man.

* ImperialStormtrooperMarksmanshipAcademy: King Charles. Justified due to him being cross-eyed.

* LargeHam: The mockingbird.

* SitcomArchNemesis: The mockingbird initially acts more like a {{Troll}} to King Charles until the Sheperdess and the Chimney Sweep are involved [[spoiler: but then, it's not real King Charles anymore]].

* TalkingAnimal: The mockingbird.

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: This happens to everyone that King Charles drops down a hole most notably [[spoiler: King Charles ''himself,'' who is dropped down a hole by a painting of him who comes to life, assumes his role, and is treated as if he was the king from that point onward]]. Also, [[spoiler:King Charles's dog]].

* TrapDoor: [[ExaggeratedTrope Exaggerated]], King Charles can open a TrapDoor ''absolutely anywhere in the entire upper city''; they even fit the size of whoever he wants to get rid of. [[spoiler: At some point [[CrowningMomentOfFunny a trap door goes as far as actively pursuing its target through the room]]!]]