- Content: “A Tale No One Has Read Before”
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What You Need To Know:
With a very strong moral worldview, THE WORLD OF PETER RABBIT & FRIENDS – THE TAILOR OF GLOUCESTER is a simple, heartwarming tale set in a dreary England in wintertime. A beautiful illustration of how even the smallest creatures can create a Christmas miracle in impossible situations. Light caution advised for small children due to a dreary, hopeless setting, some alcohol shown, and mild violence.
Content:
A very strong moral worldview, this simple tale reminds us that even in the darkest times with our last penny spent, we can still rely on those around us or even where we least expect it for a Christmas miracle. The tailor is a frail old man who has spent all his money trying to keep his tailor shop afloat. He receives an order for a splendid coat for the mayor’s wedding day on Christmas morning. This order will make him a much needed “fortune.” But when the man gets sick and cannot get out of bed for three days, he believes that hope is lost. However, the mice have watched the tailor work for years and truly enjoy what he does. Their quiet and simple unspoken gesture is beautiful kindness for an elderly man who is trying his best despite many hardships. And despite his cat being angry with him over a misunderstanding, the cat makes the right choice in the end showing care for his friend.
No foul language;
Light violence in a scene where boys throw snowballs and almost trip a man;
No nudity;
Rats are shown drinking wine from a cask, drunkenness is implied;
No smoking or drug use; and,
The cat, angry with the tailor, hides a very important item in anger. However, he has a change of heart seeing the generosity of others.
More Detail:
In a cozy home in Britain with a crackling fire, Beatrix Potter hears carolers outside. After having her maid deliver them cookies as thanks, she sits down to write. Talking to her cat, explains that she must write a letter to Frieda, a sick girl who loves fairy tales. She wants to cheer her up with a new tale no one has ever read. The letter turns into a storybook page, and switches to animation to introduce: The Tailor of Gloucester.
A long time ago, there lived a tailor in the town of Gloucester, near Christmas time. He is working on a special order for the mayor and cannot afford to waste a piece of the expensive fabric, as he has used the last of his money for the material. A group of mice watches him work to cut the pattern from the fabric. With bits of leftover fabric scrap, the mice grab them. An older mouse with glasses has a plan for a new coat of his own as the group excitedly examines the scraps. He declares he needs more silk!
The tailor sets out all the cut materials he needs for the coat, as the mice continue to watch and listen. The tailor is weary, and daylight is fading fast. Deciding everything is ready to continue in the morning, he heads out, still talking out loud about the details.
The tailor lives nearby but had to brave the bitter cold and snow. The narrator explains that the mice can run all over town without ever going into the street through tunnels. The old man staggers home in the wind, and his cat, Simkin, greets him. He tells Simkin that he will make a fortune on this order, but he only has 4 pence left. He sends the cat out to buy some food and a twist of cherry-colored silk needed to finish the coat. He explains that the Mayor of Gloucester is to be married on Christmas Day and that he has ordered this coat for the wedding.
The tailor finds several mice trapped under teacups. It must be Simkin’s doing, and he knows he will be upset that he released them. The weary man falls asleep abruptly on the chair.
Simkin returns with his order. Finding his mice gone, he growls and makes a bad choice. Simkin doesn’t seem to have the silk twist needed, and the man panics. But he is now feverish and sick. He climbs into bed, talking about his plans for the coat. The mice hear him mumbling and decide to help him as he won’t be able to finish the coat in time.
It’s now Christmas Eve. The man has been sick for 3 days and 3 nights. Simkin goes back into the night and sees some rats having a party underground, drinking a cask of wine, and celebrating. Looking in the window of the shop, he sees the mice sewing the cherry-colored silk, but he doesn’t have the key. Defeated, the cat walks back home. As the Christmas morning light, Simkin has a change of heart. The man feels well enough to go to his shop. But the wedding is this morning. As things are looking dire for the tailor, he is greeted with a shockingly beautiful Christmas surprise.
With a very strong moral worldview, THE WORLD OF PETER RABBIT & FRIENDS – THE TAILOR OF GLOUCESTER is a simple, heartwarming tale set in a dreary England in wintertime, showing that even the smallest creatures can create a Christmas miracle in impossible situations. Light caution advised for small children due to a dreary, hopeless setting.
