shift back and forth in our seats for 2 hours. Krabat strives to be a Harry Potteresque tale about a group of “lads” who are called by a mysterious master to practice the dark arts and blah, blah, blah. Set in 17th century Germany, it’s based on a folk tale. Krabat is well made technically and the effects are top-notch, but the story is a bit spotty.
I couldn’t really figure out why any of what was happening was happening. I know that it’s a movie for kids, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a simple morality tale a la Narnia.
Let me quote Otfried Preussler, the author of the novel (published in 1971 and considered a classic in Germany):
“KRABAT isn’t a story that caters to young audiences and it isn’t a story that reaches out to an adult audience either. It is the story of a young man who gets involved with dark, powerful forces that fascinate him until he fully comprehends what he has gotten himself involved in. At the same time, it is also my story, the story of my generation and the story of all young people who come in contact with power and temptations and end up becoming entangled in them.”
Preussler was born in 1923.
Hope that helps. 😉