| The Smurfs and the Magic Flute | |
|---|---|
 North American theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | José Dutillieu[1] |
| Screenplay by | Peyo |
| Story by | Peyo Yvan Delporte |
| Based on | The Smurfs, by Pierre "Peyo" Culliford |
| Produced by | José Dutillieu |
| Starring | See cast below |
| Edited by | Nebiha Ben Milad Michèle Neny |
| Music by |
|
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | SEPP, Brussels Target International, Roehall Pictures (UK) Atlantic Releasing Corporation (USA) |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 74 minutes |
| Country | Belgium |
| Language | French |
| Box office | $19 million[2] |
The Smurfs and the Magic Flute (French: La Flûte à six schtroumpfs, lit. The Flute of Six Smurfs) is a 1976 Belgian animated film starring the Smurfs, directed by their creator, Peyo. Although the film premiered in 1976 in Belgium, it was not released in the United Kingdom until 1979, and in the United States until 1983, in the wake of the characters' newfound popularity.[3]
The film is based on the 1958 comic book of the same name, originally a part of the Johan and Peewit series (created by Peyo in 1952), and notable as the first appearance of the smurfs in media. Accordingly, although the Smurfs play a major part, they do not appear until 35 minutes into the film.
The film was not produced by Hanna-Barbera, the creators of The Smurfs television series, but by Brussels' Belvision Studios and Éditions Dupuis. The voice talent from that show was not present in either English version. Instead, the work was handled by a non-union crew whose members had previously appeared in anime dubs for U.S. television for the American dub, while a non-union British crew was used for the UK English dub.[1]
A presentation of independent film company Atlantic Releasing in the United States, The Smurfs and the Magic Flute grossed over US$19 million. The film's success led to the creation of Clubhouse Pictures, Atlantic's children's film division.[4]
The English dub[which?] of the film was presented in Dolby Stereo sound.
- ^ a b Beck (2005), p. 254.
- ^ "A Rally For G Ratings Clubhouse Gets Bandwagon Rolling For Family Entertainment". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
- ^ Lenburg, Jeff (1999). The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons. Checkmark Books. p. 201. ISBN 0-8160-3831-7. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
- ^ Beck (2005), p. 255.