Le Roi Et L'Oiseau I was completely charmed and captivated by this film. It has a mixed history, having been started in 1948, released in an incomplete fashion in 1952 and then finally released completed in 1980. I suppose because of this, it hasn't been well known, except in Japan where Studio Ghibli released a Japanese subtitled version in theatres.
The animation style is strongly reminiscent of the Warner Bros. animated shorts of the 40s, and it often reminded me of the one short, 1946's Book Revue. But rather than simply a long short, it was a well-developed story, moving further and further into the surrealistic and by the end of the film seeming like a 1950's Japanese anime. The main weakness of the film is the undeveloped characters, but there is so much to see, so many different ideas here, I really loved it. That it was based on a Hans Christian Anderson story didn't hurt, either.
Highly recommended, especially for those who have yet to vote for their animated favorites. I found it all, with a good quality image, on youtube. 4/5