The Good Son: A Story From the First World War Told in Miniature

This iconographic-animated adaptation of the 2019 picture book written by Pierre-Jacques Ober and illustrated by Jules Ober and Felicity Coonan mixes text, narrative, and photographed tableaux of hobby-store models and other miniature materials. The World War I tale centers on a young French soldier named Pierre who briefly deserts his regiment for two days to spend Christmas with his lonely mother. In his naivete, he anticipates that his return to the battle will mitigate any proposed punishment, but instead he is sentenced to death as a deserter. Ober retells the events leading up to this tragedy several times, revealing additional details along the way while always reminding viewers that the war was supposed to last months, not years, and that it was fought by "little soldiers" like Pierre. Narrated by Simon Prebble, The Good Son tells a powerful story that—despite the "toy" soldiers—is not aimed at younger viewers. Recommended. Aud: P. (T. Keogh)