Esther... The Girl Who Became Queen: Difference between revisions

Esther... The Girl Who Became Queen
Esther... The Girl Who Became Queen
	File:Veggietales dvd esther.jpg DVD cover
Directed by	Mike Nawrocki
Written by	Mike Nawrocki,; Phil Vischer
Produced by	Jennifer Combs
Starring	Phil Vischer,; Mike Nawrocki,; Jessica Kaplan,; Pamela Thomas,; Eric Metaxas,; Charlotte Jackson,; Kristi Bramlett
Music by	Kurt Heinecke,; Phil Vischer,; Mike Nawrocki
Distributed by	Lyrick Studios
Release date	2000
Running time	40 minutes
Language	English

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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. This is the 2nd episode that is Silly Songless.

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 character 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-man Esther 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

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

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 & Mr. Lunt – Art Gallery – Progression Reel – Trailers – Sing-Along – Rack, Shack, and Benny Storybook – Esther's Trivia Challenge – Palace Maze – Bios - Family Fun "Courage Box" Activity – DVD-ROM Fun

References

Viewer Reviews, epinion.com
Review, Veggietalesreview.com

External links

@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
  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 [[Xerxes I of Persia|King Xerxes]] that his prime minister [[Haman]] is plotting to commit genocide against the Jews. The violent undertones are, 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 story is taken from the [[Book of Esther]] in the [[Old Testament]], in which [[Esther]] becomes Queen and must tell [[Xerxes I of Persia|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 (film)|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 Persian palace windows are even hung with Venetian blinds, an iconic element of the genre.
+The presentation of the story was inspired by ''[[The Godfather]]'' and ''[[Casablanca (film)|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 the king a sandwich at 3 am). A search is initiated to find a new Queen.
+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. This is the 2nd episode that is Silly Songless.
-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.
+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 to collect the eligible maidens, Mordecai hides. Haman despises Mordecai and is determined to do him harm. They confront each other, but the relationship between Mordecai and Esther is kept secret, and Esther is taken to the palace with the other young women but Mordecai bow.
+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, Esther does not wish to be the Queen; she is crowned and ensconced in her new life against her will.
+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 one of the Peaoni brothers who has brought him a large cake. Unannounced visitors are not permitted, but the King allows him to be heard. Peaoni convinces him to come look closely at the cake. Meanwhile, Peaoni's 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.
+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 character resembling "Death."
-With the Peaoni brothers behind bars, 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.
+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, the King has instructed Haman 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.
+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.
@@ Line 50: / Line 46: @@
 == Cast of Characters ==
 * [[Esther]] as herself
 * Mr. Nezzer as [[Xerxes I of Persia|King Xerxes]]
 * Mr. Lunt as [[Haman (Bible)|Haman]]
@@ Line 60: / Line 56: @@
 * Miss Achmetha as herself
 * [[Vashti|Queen Vashti]] as herself
-== Segments ==
-This episode consists of a single uninterrupted story and therefore has only one segment.
 == Songs ==
@@ Line 74: / Line 66: @@
 * ''The Battle Is Not Ours'', sung by Esther
 * ''Lost Puppies'', sung by Miss Achmetha
-== DVD Content ==
-[[Big Idea Productions|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 ===
@@ Line 93: / Line 81: @@
 === 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 – The Persia Factbook – Family Fun Activity "Courage Box"– DVD-ROM Fun-English Subtitles
+Audio Commentary – Behind the Scenes – How to Draw Esther & Mr. Lunt – Art Gallery – Progression Reel – Trailers – Sing-Along – [[Rack, Shack, and Benny]] Storybook – Esther's Trivia Challenge – Palace Maze – Bios - Family Fun "Courage Box" Activity – DVD-ROM Fun
-== Notes and Trivia ==
-* This is one of a few episodes that spurn the usual ''[[VeggieTales]]'' format: there are no opening or closing countertop sequence with Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber, "VeggieTales Theme" or "What We Have Learned" songs, Qwerty, or [[Silly Songs with Larry|a silly song with Larry, the part of the show where Larry comes out and sings a silly song]].
-* About King Xerxes' wife has a lot of trivia. There's a few:
-**(Queen) Esther is a female character in the Holy Bible, young hero, and wife of King Xerxes.
-**The character development, the sets and music was more labric on toward making a film.
-**The animators from Big Idea see that how could they push their camera work, how could they push the lighting.
-**So they have the confedience to have ''[[Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie|Jonah]]'', so they could pull this one off.
-**According to Behind the Scenes, Mike Nawrocki said that he and the others tell the story of [[Esther]] in a [[The Godfather|Godfather]] style.
-**According to Phil Vischer at the beginning of the commentary for this, he asked what year was that, to his friend.
-**Toward the end of this, Queen Esther saved her people and learned that her God did, that He has given a plan for her.
-**The screen shot in which Xerxes audituions news brides in the Miss Persia Pageant scene.
-* This is one of the only ''VeggieTales'' videos in which [[Bob the Tomato]] does not appear in any segment.
-* As stated in the audio commentary, a countertop segment was written for this episode but was cut from the script on account of the episode's length.
-* Miss Achmetha's song "Lost Puppies" was intended to stand in for the usual [[Silly Songs with Larry]], but also had to be cut short due to the length. The full song can be heard during the end credits. It is also an Easter egg on the DVD of [[The Ultimate Silly Song Countdown]].
-* This is Miss Achmetha's debut; she subsequently appears in the Silly Songs "Larry's High Silk Hat" (''[[Lyle the Kindly Viking]]''), "Bellybutton" (''[[The Ballad of Little Joe]]''), "Sport Utility Vehicle" (''[[A Snoodle's Tale]]'') and "My Baby Elf" (''[[Lord of the Beans]]''), usually now, she was shown with her trademark accordion.
-* The Peaoni brothers stated that they would have taken over the kingdom if it weren't for "that meddling Queen," a reference to the [[Scooby-Doo]] line when the villain states they would have gotten away with it too if it weren't for those "meddling kids."
-* Flyers posted on the wall in the streets of Persia include:
-** A plug for the previous epsiode ''[[King George and the Ducky]]'' ("Now on Video").
-** An advertisement for Stuff Mart from ''[[Madame Blueberry]]''.
-** A flyer bearing the image of Jonah's camel Reginald from the first veggie movie way in 2002 ''[[Jonah: A  VeggieTales Movie]]''.
-** "Wanted" posters for the Peaoni brothers who try to assassinate the King in this episode.
-* This is the only episode that is narrated by a human man (credited as Eric Dymes).
 == References ==
 <references/>
+*[http://www1.epinions.com/content_10720939652 Viewer Reviews], epinion.com
-{{Template:VeggieTales}}
+*[http://www.veggietalesreview.com/2008/02/01/veggietales-esther-the-girl-who-became-queen/ Review], Veggietalesreview.com
+==External links==
+* [http://www.bigidea.com Official Website]
+* [http://www.qubo.com/veggie_show.asp Veggietales at Qubo.com]
+* {{imdb title|0284605|Esther... The Girl Who Became Queen}}
+{{VeggieTales}}
 [[Category:Book of Esther]]
 [[Category:Christian animation]]

v t e VeggieTales
Feature films	Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie (2002) The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie (2008)
Spin-offs	Larryboy: The Cartoon Adventures (2002–03) VeggieTales in the House (2014–2016) VeggieTales in the City (2017) The VeggieTales Show (2019–2022)
Music	Silly Songs with Larry
Lists	Episodes Characters Books
Other	The Star of Christmas Boyz in the Sink