The King and the Mockingbird
A classic French animated film (French title: Le Roi et l'oiseau), with one of the longest development times in animation history; even longer than The Thief and the Cobbler. 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.
It is considered a major inspiration by Hayao Miyazaki.
Tropes used in The King and the Mockingbird include:
- 0% Approval Rating: King Charles; "He detested everyone, and everyone in the kingdom detested him."
- Art Initiates Life: Three paintings and one statue come to life over the course of the film, but after a little while the film seems to forget this and just treats them like real people.
- Development Hell
- Humongous Mecha: King Charles chases the Shepherdess and the Chimney Sweep through the lower city with a giant robot.
- Imperial Stormtrooper Marksmanship Academy: King Charles. Justified due to him being cross-eyed.
- Off-Model: Due to the long span between 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!
- Overly-Long Elevator Gag: King Charles has a ridiculously long elevator, with an attendant listing off every floor.
- Overly Long Name: King Charles the 5 and 3 make 8 and 8 make 16th of Tachycardia.
- Trap Door: exaggerated, King Charles can open a Trap Door absolutely anywhere in the entire upper city; they even fit the size of whoever he wants to get rid of. At some point a trap door goes as far as actively pursuing its target through the room!
- What Happened to the Mouse?: This happens to everyone that King Charles drops down a hole most notably 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, King Charles's dog.