Listen to the review by Dennis Morton above, and read it below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3p7s2kusjs

 

Khalil Gibran is one of the most famous poets in history. His book, 'The Prophet', has been translated into dozens of languages and reportedly has sold over 100 million copies. To put that in perspective, consider that the typical first printing of a book of poems in The United States, even books written by relatively well known poets, ranges from 500 to 1,500 copies. And while it’s true that poetry is not America’s favorite literary genre, to say the least, the numbers do give you a sense of Gibran’s enormous popularity.

What used to be called ‘cartoons’ are now referred to as ‘animated features’ by the PR folks in Hollywood. Neither appellation does justice to this film, which borrows its title from Gibran’s book.

This film is an amalgamation of three arts, beautiful music – especially Yo Yo Ma’s cello solo; passages from Gibran’s book, read compellingly by Liam Neeson; and, astonishingly gorgeous moving illustrations. There were dozens of scenes which almost literally took my breath away.

To weave the visuals, the music, and the poetry together, into a rather terrifying story line, is no small feat. Salma Hayek played a major role in creating 'The Profit', and she also provides the voice for the hard working single mom who is the housekeeper for the poet Mustafa. Mustafa is a ward of the state. His crime, as he tells us, is poetry. It’s a poetry so powerful that it frightens the authorities.

I haven’t mentioned that 'The Prophet' is directed and written by Roger Allers,

of The Lion King fame. You can’t go wrong with this one. Don’t miss The Prophet.