The Adventures of Goopy and Bagha

Ray's 'fairytale for adults', based on a story by his own grandfather about the travels of two outcast musicians who are granted three wishes by the King of the Ghosts, has many attractions. There's much bizarre wit, some delightful songs, and (especially in the pantomime-style transformation scenes and magical manifestations) a sense of wide-eyed wonder so important to this kind of fantasy. But as its picaresque structure stretches further and further into the two-hours-plus running time (it was cut by 14 minutes for British release), even the favourably disposed may get the fidgets.