The Smurfs and the Magic Flute

Smurf fans will be drawn to this 1976 animated feature (first released in the United States in 1983) in which the titular little blue people are enlisted by Peewit, a king's court jester, and Sir Johan, a knight, to recover a magical flute that makes everyone dance when it's played. The instrument has been stolen by a thief named McCreep, who intends to use it for villainous purposes. In this musical comedy, roughly 20 minutes pass before the Smurfs actually show up, in the heart of their own remote land, where the physically identical characters are distinguishable only by their personalities, and the word “smurf” is used repeatedly as a verb. Directed by Peyo, the Belgian artist who created the original Smurfs for a 1958 comic book, this adventure features solid laughs and songs along the way. DVD extras include a glossary of Smurf terms, an image gallery, a character guide, and an essay on the film. Recommended. (T. Keogh)