Der Erlkönig (Master's Project, Animation)

M.A. graduation project. Animation based on the poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe - Der Erlkönig. Music by Marek Kuczyński.
Describtion and making of: www.behance.net/gallery/29918...
Who rides so late through the night and wind?
It's the father with his child;
He has the boy safe in his arm,
He holds him secure, he holds him warm.
“My son, what makes you hide your face in fear?” -
Father, don't you see the Erlking?
The Erlking with crown and flowing robe? -
“My son, it's a wisp of fog.” -
“You dear child, come along with me!
Such lovely games I'll play with you;
Many colorful flowers are at the shore,
My mother has many a golden garment.”
My father, my father, and do you not hear
What the Erlking promises me so softly? -
“Be quiet, stay quiet, my child;
In the dry leaves the wind is rustling.” -
“Won't you come along with me, my fine boy?
My daughters shall attend to you so nicely.
My daughters do their nightly dance,
And they'll rock you and dance you and sing you to sleep.”
My father, my father, and do you not see over there
Erlking's daughters in that dark place? -
“My son, my son, I see it most definitely:
It's the willow trees looking so grey.”
“I love you; I'm charmed by your beautiful form;
And if you're not willing, then I'll use force.”
My father, my father, now he's grabbing hold of me!
Erlking has done me harm! -
The father shudders, he rides swiftly,
He holds in arms the moaning child.
He reaches the farmhouse with effort and urgency.
In his arms the child was dead.

[@emmettbrizzi402]

I didn't need to sleep tonight anyway.

[@sagesaria]

I really loved the switch in perspective when the son sees the Erlkönig. The immediate tonal shift and the way everything slowed down really sold the delirious state he was in.

[@cursedmushroom8863]

I love the art style, and even though I’ve heard the original song that this is portraying, I like that if someone else hasn’t heard the song can still understand what’s happening

[@jakobbohler57]

wer is auch wegen schule hier?

[@sunnygirl869]

Ich hab Angst vor dem Erlkönig bekommen

[@maxmustermann0677]

Its a german poeme but i see only english comments lol

[@alinaivas7432]

das müssen wir vor der klasse vorführen

[@ketchumuu]

this is a masterpiece

[@aryatevetoglu9282]

Wir müssen das für Deutsch Unterricht auswendig lernen

[@pknair1]

Beautifully done. I've loved the Schubert piece for years, and while this doesn't use that piece I was equally moved by your artwork and animation and Mr. Kuczyński's soundtrack. Brilliantly done.

[@sufiwho]

Wow!!! Very impressive. It is also my understanding that in the boy's illness, he starts to hallucinate and passed away, which is what many other versions of visual stories missed.

[@georgeofhamilton]

Beautiful animation. I find it interesting that you had the child survive in your version.

[@ting-hsiangwang311]

I love you captured and emphasized both the father's determination and emotion.

[@samakechijowo]

I know that this animation is supposed to be an illustration for the poem by Goethe, but with how this animation turned out the story that goes through my head when watching this is as follows :

[@kaamn1829]

woah, I think the choice you made here to have the child be the one reaching out to the Erl-King and the father the one desperately running, slapping his hand away, is

[@Myopia01]

wow.... O.O ... That was fantastic! The music! The animation! Just awesome!

[@sunnard9186]

It's the best animation "Der Erlkönig" i've seen... GoodJob :)

[@XenoVis]

Amazing job!

[@Phalar-Aluve]

Ok, saved. I'll watch this shit tonight, when i'm high.

[@emselurniak]

Wow. Very impressive!