'The Iron Stove' may not be one of Brothers Grimm's best, or at leasy one of my favourite, stories and one of their least adapted. It is unmistakable Brothers Grimm though in characterisation, writing and storytelling and is a good enough representation of why they are considered one of the quintessential fairytale authors and a big influence in literature. Anyone that loves their work should definitely read 'The Iron Stove' if they haven't already.
Have only seen one version of 'The Iron Stove', this animated version from this uneven but fascinating late 80s anime series. It is a good way of getting acquainted with the story if not familiar with it beforehand, but the original story is the real deal. There are a lot of changes here to almost being beyond recognition, this being by quite some way one of the least faithful adaptations of 'Grimm Masterpiece Theater' and this is a case where it's not really for the better. The magic is not quite as strong and it is not always cohesive.
It does have a lot of good on its own. Beginning with what didn't work for me, the prince is from personal tastes very bland and somewhat underwritten. He is not the most interesting character in the original story either, but he feels stripped down here.
Some of the drawing could have been smoother, not all the lip synchronisation matches with the dialogue and the music doesn't always fit.
On the other hand, the princess is a very likeable and easy to root for character. Also interesting is the witch, too beautiful perhaps but she is suitably sinister, especially in her taunting of the princess. The dialogue is not too simple or too complicated and the voice acting fits the characters well and is emotive.
Although not on the same level as the original story, being a story that could have done with a little more magic and parts that could have been a little less choppy, the story is at least compelling and does have an emotional core. The ending is moving. The animation mostly has some lovely colours and the backgrounds are richly detailed. The music at least appeals on the ears and doesn't sound out of date.
Concluding, pretty good but there are better episodes in the series. 7/10
Have only seen one version of 'The Iron Stove', this animated version from this uneven but fascinating late 80s anime series. It is a good way of getting acquainted with the story if not familiar with it beforehand, but the original story is the real deal. There are a lot of changes here to almost being beyond recognition, this being by quite some way one of the least faithful adaptations of 'Grimm Masterpiece Theater' and this is a case where it's not really for the better. The magic is not quite as strong and it is not always cohesive.
It does have a lot of good on its own. Beginning with what didn't work for me, the prince is from personal tastes very bland and somewhat underwritten. He is not the most interesting character in the original story either, but he feels stripped down here.
Some of the drawing could have been smoother, not all the lip synchronisation matches with the dialogue and the music doesn't always fit.
On the other hand, the princess is a very likeable and easy to root for character. Also interesting is the witch, too beautiful perhaps but she is suitably sinister, especially in her taunting of the princess. The dialogue is not too simple or too complicated and the voice acting fits the characters well and is emotive.
Although not on the same level as the original story, being a story that could have done with a little more magic and parts that could have been a little less choppy, the story is at least compelling and does have an emotional core. The ending is moving. The animation mostly has some lovely colours and the backgrounds are richly detailed. The music at least appeals on the ears and doesn't sound out of date.
Concluding, pretty good but there are better episodes in the series. 7/10