by Eleanor Mannikka
synopsis
This simple children's drama is enhanced by animation techniques that combine puppets, live actors, and unique special effects, such as those used to show coins coming out of the mouth of some puppets. The total effect is entrancing and will entertain kids and parents alike. This time around, the Pied Piper has fulfilled the town's wishes of getting rid of its large rat population. When he comes back from leading the rats into the sea, the townspeople refuse to pay him his due. They are greedier than the rats, who only ate what they needed, so the Pied Piper's response is particularly apt. Unlike other versions of the story, he does not enchant the village children to leave with him; he has another idea entirely.
