Rustaveli’s epic is often referred to as The Knight in the Panther’s Skin, but Davitaia’s film and his graphic novel before it drapes the knight in “Tiger’s Skin.” The tiger print must be slimming. It is definitely the same classic story. When we first meet Tariel, the Prince dutifully serves his king, whose daughter he ardently loves and is loved in return. When the king repays their loyalty by marrying her off as part of a diplomatic alliance, both react badly.
As a result, Nestan’s aunt angrily sells her into slavery, but is almost immediately overcome by such remorse, she commits suicide. Tariel soon sets off in search of his distressed love, but as the years pass, he also seemingly disappears from the world. It will be the herculean task of the brave knight Avtandil to find them both, before he will be allowed to marry his own great love.
It is easy to see many heroic archetypes Tiger’s Skin shares with other great epic poems, but Davitaia’s adaptation also expresses pronounced themes of martial comradery and manly fellowship. Eventually, it comes down to three friends storming a Dungeons & Dragons-worthy stronghold to rescue the Princess.
Davitaia’s animation incorporates rotoscoping techniques that are surprisingly effective. It intensifies the vibrancy of the colors and the contrasts between them. The exotic scenes of the various royal courts and palaces pop off the screen, almost like Peter Max paintings. The animation also conveys the chaos and intensity of the battle scenes, which have appropriately epic scope.
