Veggie Tales: Duke and the Great Pie War Parent Guide

If you don’t like rhubarb, you’re not alone. No one in the Kingdom of Scone does either. It all started when they went to battle against the armies of Rhubarb, in what later became known as The Great Pie War.

Now, one of those despicable redheads has been transplanted into their own backyard. She’s called Sweet Petunia, but don’t let that fool you. A Rhubarbarian by any other name would taste as sour!

Everyone understands this -it’s just common knowledge. Everyone that is, except Duke (Larry the Cucumber). Obviously a little green at showing prejudice, the Duke has been swayed by Petunia’s sugary demeanor, offering to let her glean apples from his orchard to feed herself and her impoverished mother-in-law.

By now you are either completely confused (because you are not familiar with Veggie Tales) or you are starting to catch on (that sounds like the story of Ruth from the Old Testament). Best known for their unusual biblical adaptations starring a cast of vegetables, Duke and the Great Pie War is the 25th episode to be made by this flourishing franchise.

As is traditional with their products, this installment begins with Bob the Tomato (voice of Phil Vischer) and Larry the Cucumber (Mike Nawrocki) responding to a viewer’s letter. In answer to the girl’s confused emotions over the arrival of a new baby brother, Bob and Larry share the other story on this DVD—Babysitter in De-Nile.

Featuring a family of carrots, the Old Testament tale of Moses unfolds, with an emphasis on his older sister’s childcare responsibilities. At first jealous and reluctant, Miriam learns the meaning of loving all family members as she looks out for her younger sibling.

Another standard edition is the inclusion of a “Silly Song With Larry.” In this case, the crooning cucumber attempts to sing the blues with Blind Lemon Lincoln. However, his ever-optimistic attitude challenges the usual conventions of this melancholy musical genre - and the patience of his duet partner.

Slapstick shenanigans, medieval misadventures and dirty diapers are the only content issues worthy of mention in these light and crisp animated films intended to impart moral values to young children.

About author

Donna Gustafson

Donna Gustafson has been involved with her husband Rod's work since the beginning. Handling many of the behind-the-scenes tasks, she also creates preview pages for up-coming movies, acts as managing editor and occasionally writes reviews.