Legend of the Flying Canoe

Derived from a well-known Quebec legend, La Chasse-galerie, first published in 1891 by Honoré Beaugrand, this beautifully animated, spooky tale from filmmaker Robert Doucet is set on New Year's Eve in the Gatineau Valley, Quebec, sometime during the late 1800s. Here, a group of loggers, wanting to celebrate New Year's Eve with their families and friends, makes a dark Cinderella-like deal with the Devil to ride in a flying canoe, attend a party, and be back before dawn. Naturally, things go wrong... Wonderful animation, solid narration, and a sparkling musical soundtrack add up to a pleasant viewing experience. Recommended. Note: the video does contain scenes of alcohol consumption, but the story makes it clear that the excessive drinking by one man leads directly to the endangerment of the whole group. Aud: E, I, P. (R. Pitman)