Le petit Chantecler (1910)

Le petit Chantecler (The Little Rooster in English) is a French silent stop-motion animation film released in 1910. This movie was directed by Émile Cohl. Émile Cohl (Emile Eugene Jean Louis Courtet, 1857-1938) was a French caricaturist of the largely-forgotten Incoherent Movement, cartoonist and animator. He is called ‘The Father of the Animated Cartoon’ and ‘The Oldest Parisian’.

The story in brief:

This short film is based on 'Chantecler,' a famous four-act verse play written by the French poet and dramatist Edmond Rostand. In the first act, as evening falls on the farmyard and the poultry return to their pen, Chantecler, the rooster, chats with the farm dog. Suddenly, a female golden pheasant arrives in the barnyard, fleeing from a hunter. Chantecler helps her hide in the doghouse. At night, the nighttime birds of prey, along with the cat and the Blackbird led by an owl plot to harm Chantecler because his crowing disrupts their plans. The pheasant overhears but is convinced by the Blackbird not to warn him. When Chantecler crows at dawn, the pheasant persuades him to attend a soirée. The Blackbird, hiding in a flower pot, hears everything. After the pheasant leaves, the Blackbird informs Chantecler that the game cock will attend Guinea Hen's soirée, prompting him to confront him at the event. At Guinea fowl's party fancy roosters are introduced one after another until Chantecler arrives. He's annoyed by their artificial looks. When the game cock challenges him, he battles and defeats him. He bravely protects the others when a hawk threatens. But late, disgusted, Chantecler leaves for the forest with the pheasant. Watch the film to see what happened in the forest.

More info on Le petit Chantecler and Émile Cohl:

• Reviews and ratings of Le petit Chantecler – IMDb
• Biography of Émile Cohl – Wikipedia
• The original play – Wikipedia

Animation Movies by Émile Cohl