The Green Man of Knowledge



The Green Man of Knowledge is an animated short that is adapted from a folkloric story in Scotland. It is part of the animated series "Animated Tales of the World."

Summary
Set in a village a long time ago, there lived a widow and her son Jack. Jack's favourite past time is when he plays chess with his pet dog. Not much changed until Jack prepares to explore what lies beyond these hills. On his way to seek his fortune on his 21st birthday, a friendly robin suddenly appears and tells him that the reason why he knows his name is because he is in the Land of Enchantment, a place that is strictly ruled by the Green Man who has prohibited all singing and happiness. Jack and Robin decide to enter the lair of the Green Man who plays chess. Jack then decides to challenge the Green Man to a game of chess. Upon winning the game of chess, the Green Man challenges him to "a real game". The Green Man explains that if Jack wins, he will a lot of gold by successfully completing three challenges. However, if Jack is unsuccessful, he will pay with his life to the Green Man. Jack decides to accept his challenge.

As the challenge begins, the Green Man tells Jack to find him "east of the moon and west of the stars". While trying to find the Green Man, an old woman shows her wisdom to look east of the moon and west of the stars. On his way to the first challenge, only a spider web lay between Jack and the Green Man's castle. He then suddenly encounters a girl named Malmhin, the daughter of the Green Man. She then transforms into a swan who tells Jack to give her back her cloak. Jack then tells her that he'll give it back if she crosses, but it is forbidden under the Green Man's rules. After successfully crossing, Jack gives her the cloak she took off, which then transforms her back into a woman. As Malmhin begins to leave, Jack suddenly arrives to the great tree. The Green Man gives three simple challenges in order to win a lot of gold. The first challenge is to find a pearl in one of the nests in an enormous tree guarded by crows and Jack must find the pearl and return it to the Green Man within an hour.

While climbing up the tree, Jack is bothered by crows that guard their nests. He then asks Robin to help find the pearl. He suddenly sees the pearl on one of the nests and then brings the pearl to Jack. After completing the first challenge, the second challenge is to find a gold ring at the bottom of a deep well and Jack must find the ring and return it to the Green Man. With the help of Robin and Malmhin who transforms into a ladder, Jack then retrieves the gold ring at the bottom of the well. After completing the second challenge, the final challenge is to build a big castle for the Green Man. The Green Man explains that if he finishes the final challenge, he will win all the gold and if he loses, he will pay his life to the Green Man. With the help of Malmhin, she then plants some seeds to build a castle made of plants that is bigger than his previous castle.

The Green Man then realises that Jack is helped by Malmhin, his own daughter. The Green Man prepares to kill Jack and Malmhin as Malmhin transforms into a horse to help escape the wrath of the Green Man. While escaping with the gold, the Green Man also creates a horse to run after Jack and Malmhin. Malmhin then gives Jack a piece of coal that grants bigger mountains to stop the Green Man. Suddenly, Malmhin notices that the Green Man is still around. She then gives Jack a drop of water that sends a big ocean that captures the Green Man.

Realizing that this plan did not work, Malmhin then gives a stone that sends fire to stop the Green Man. This plan worked as the Green Man is suddenly destroyed by fire. Upon escaping the wrath of the Green Man, Malmhin transforms back into a woman and tells Jack to leave the land of Enchantment without her and Jack is to allow no one to kiss him or it will erase his memory of Malmhin and the Land of Enchantment. Jack suddenly returns home and brings the gold from the Land of Enchantment to his mother. Upon receiving a kiss from his dog, the memories of the Land of Enchantment are erased. As time passed, Jack was very sad, as he does not remember the Land of Enchatment. After one year and a day, Jack's mother decided what was missing from his life was his memories from the Land of Enchantment. Reunited with memories from the Land of Enchantment, Jack suddenly falls in love with Malmhin as they both live happily ever after.

Spells
How to Create a Mountain Barrier:

Throw a piece of magical coal behind and chant: Mountains, hills, glens behind A clear road in front! Note: If the person who casts the spell looks back, the spell would be broken.

How to Create an Ocean Barrier:

Throw a drop of magical water behind and chant: Rivers, lochs, seas behind A clear road in front! Note: If the person who casts the spell looks back, the spell would be broken.

How to Conjure a Fire Attack:

Throw a spark stone behind and chant: Fire, hell, inferno behind A clear road in front! Note: If the person who casts the spell looks back, the spell would be broken. This spell also appears to be one of last resort and far more powerful than the other spells, for before Malmhin used it, she commented that she was "left with no choice", and the fire produced was potent enough to incinerate even her father.

Voice Cast

 * Russell Hunter - The Green Man


 * Forbes Masson - Jack


 * Shirley Henderson - Malmhin


 * Ann-Louise Ross - Jack's Mother / Old Woman


 * John Ramage - The Robin


 * Brian Cox - The Narrator