Michael the Visitor

Gorgeous clay animation from the company that created such classics as Martin the Cobbler and God's Trombones (VL-1/95) highlights this beautifully detailed rendition of Tolstoy's short story "The Truths We Live By." When a struggling Russian shoemaker named Simon encounters a mysterious naked man huddled out in the cold, he is initially reluctant to offer help. However, he quickly decides to give the man his own coat, invites him home, and eventually takes him on as an apprentice. In so doing, Simon and his family prosper, and learn some important lessons, as does the visitor Michael, the angel who was sent to Earth to learn a few lessons himself. Low-priced and a joy to watch, this is highly recommended. Aud: J, H, P. (R. Pitman)