Esther… The Girl Who Became Queen

Infobox_Film
name = Esther... The Girl Who Became Queen


caption = DVD cover
writer = Mike Nawrocki,
Phil Vischer
director = Mike Nawrocki
distributor = Sony Wonder
producer = Jennifer Combs
starring = Phil Vischer,
Mike Nawrocki,
Jessica Kaplan,
Pamela Thomas,
Eric Metaxas,
Charlotte Jackson,
Kristi Bramlett
music = Kurt Heinecke,
Phil Vischer,
Mike Nawrocki
released = 2000
runtime = 40 minutes
language = English
preceded_by = "King George and the Ducky"
followed_by = "Lyle the Kindly Viking"
imdb_id = 0284605

"Esther... The Girl Who Became Queen" is the 14th episode in the "VeggieTales" animated series. Subtitled "A Lesson in Courage", it conveys the message that you do not need to be afraid to do what is right.

The story is taken from the Book of Esther in the Old Testament, in which Esther becomes Queen and must tell King Xerxes that his prime minister Haman is plotting to commit genocide against the Jews. The violence is, of course, removed for this "VeggieTales" production; murder is replaced by banishment to the "Island of Perpetual Tickling," and the intended victims are limited to Esther and her family without reference to their race or creed.

The presentation of the story was inspired by "The Godfather" and "Casablanca" and has stylistic elements of a Film noir. The dramatic lighting, deep shadows, dark plot elements, and narrative voiceovers all contribute to the effect. The palace windows are even hung with Venetian blinds, an iconic element of the genre.

Synopsis

The story opens at a palace in Persia where Haman, the King's right-hand-man, is throwing the Queen out onto the street for insubordination (refusing to make a sandwich for the King at 3 am). A search is initiated to find a new Queen.

The following day, Esther and her cousin Mordecai are talking on the street. Esther is asking for Mordecai's advice, but his questions reveal that Esther knows "what" to do but that she lacks the courage to do it. He tells her that she should not be afraid to do what is right: to confront Esther's friend, who stole an apple.

When Haman drives up in a favorite car-wagon (styled after modern "low-rider" automobiles) to collect the eligible maidens, Mordecai tries to hide. (Haman despises Mordecai and is determined to do him harm.) They confront each other, with Haman posturing and threatening Mordecai. Mordecai refuses to bow to anyone but God and Haman vows to banish him and his family to the "Island of Perpetual Tickling." The relationship between Mordecai and Esther is kept secret, and Haman takes Esther to the palace with the other young women to participate in the beauty contest.

At the palace, King Xerxes and Haman audition the girls for a new Queen. When Esther takes the stage and sings, the King is left in awe and the decision is made. However, since Esther does not wish to be the Queen, she is crowned and ensconced in her new life against her will.

One day in the throne room of the Perisan place, the King is visited by the Peaoni brothers (the Royal bakers), who have brought a large cake to honor the King. Although unannounced visitors are not permitted, the King allows them to be heard. While one brother convinces the King to come look closely at the cake, the other brother is hanging onto a rope, the other end of which supports a grand piano suspended above the cake. Mordecai, who is hiding in a corner to avoid Haman, observes the plot and informs Esther. Esther warns the King in time and the piano crashes harmlessly onto the cake. The King thanks her for saving his life, but she indicates Mordecai, saying that the credit should be his. The Peaoni brothers at banished to the Island of Perpetual Tickling, escorted by a cartoonish charactor resembling "Death."

With the Peaoni brothers banished, the King believes he is safe, but Haman convinces him that a greater threat awaits. Mordecai and his family cannot be trusted, he claims, and pose an imminent danger to the King. The King unwittingly authorizes a edict to have Mordecai and his family banished to the Island of Perpetual Tickling.

Mordecai finds the edict posted on the wall in the streets of Perisa and visits Esther on her balcony at the palace. He appeals to his cousin to reveal Haman's evil plans to the King, but she is afraid. She lacks the courage to confront the King and struggles with what to do. She knows she need not fear to do what's right, but action does not come easy for her. Twice she attempts to inform the King, and twice she fails, lamely Esther inviting King Xerxes and Haman to dinner instead.

Meanwhile, Haman has been instructed by the King to throw a parade in honor of the man who saved his life, not realizing that this is Mordecai, the same man whose family Haman wishes to destroy.

On her third attempt Esther is able to muster up the courage to face the King. She reveals that Mordecai is her cousin and that Haman has been plotting to destroy him and his family, which includes her. The King, who respects Mordecai and loves Esther, believes her and turns on Haman. He banishes Haman to the Island of Perpetual Tickling.

Mordecai ends up filling in Haman's former position as the King's right-hand-manEsther saves the people.

Cast of Characters

* Esther as herself
* Mr. Nezzer as King Xerxes
* Mr. Lunt as Haman
* Pa Grape as Mordecai
* Jean Claude as Bigthan Peaoni
* Phillipe as Teresh Peaoni
* Scallion #1 as Host of the Miss Persia Pageant
* Larry the Cucumber as Markus the Scribe
* Miss Achmetha as herself
* Queen Vashti as herself

Segments

This episode consists of a single uninterrupted story and therefore has only one segment.

Songs

This episode does not include the usual "VeggieTales Theme" and "What We Have Learned" songs. It does contain the following songs:

* "Tell Me Why", sung by Esther
* "The Battle Prelude", sung by Esther
* "Haman's Song", sung by Haman with King Xerxes
* "The Battle Is Not Ours", sung by Esther
* "Lost Puppies", sung by Miss Achmetha

DVD Content

Big Idea has consistently packed the "VeggieTales" DVDs with a variety of additional features intended to appeal to both children and adults alike. This section itemizes the content of the DVD.

Chapters

* 1. Just an Ordinary Girl
* 2. The New Queen
* 3. A Piano On My Cake
* 4. "Haman's Song"
* 5. "The Battle Is Not Ours"
* 6. A Dinner Invitation
* 7. Honoring a Special Guy
* 8. Esther's Courage
* 9. Ending Credits

Bonus Features

Audio Commentary – Behind the Scenes – How to Draw Esther – How to Draw Mr. Lunt – Art Gallery – Progression Reel – Previews – Esther Sing-Along – Rack, Shack, and Benny Storybook – Esther's Trivia Challenge – Palace Maze – Cast Bios – Family Fun Activity "Courage Box"– DVD-ROM Fun-English Subtitles

Trivia

*The narrator is credited as Eric Dymes
*In the Televised Version, "The Tickler" is not shown, as the station feared that it would scare small children

References

1. http://www1.epinions.com/content_10720939652

2. http://www.veggietalesreview.com/2008/02/01/veggietales-esther-the-girl-who-became-queen/

External links

* [http://www.bigidea.com Official Website]
* [http://www.qubo.com/veggie_show.asp Veggietales at Qubo.com]
* [http://christiancartoons.blogspot.com/2007/05/veggietales-christian-animation-cg-3d.html VeggieTales] at [http://christiancartoons.blogspot.com/ Christian Cartoons Online]