Crossroads Presents, under-appreciated animation
Posted: 2012-04-11 10:11pm
So recently, on my trips through the internet and youtube, I discovered two amazing works of art.
And believe me when I use the terms works of "ART"
The first is a uncompleted masterwork started in 1964 by Richard Williams titled The Thief and the Cobbler.
The movie was to be Williams masterpiece, but it's ambitious scope and expensive production cause it to drag on for almost 30years.
Finally in 1993 an "Edited" version was put out using much of the original work. However in order to make it "marketable" much was changed, voices and songs were added which ruined the over all mood and original purpose of the piece.
Some time later a "pure" version was put out utilizing unfinished animation, sketches, and test plates to create a finished work.
Even full of unfinished parts the movie is a true masterwork and should be enjoyed.
EDIT: there is an even more "unfinished" version that has less colored scenes, however hasMUCH HIgher levels of detail. The above youtube movie has very low quality in places:
The second movie is more modern and called "The Secret of Kells which is loosely based off the history of The Book of Kells. The film was produced in 2009 by a company in Ireland and was received with stunning accolades on it's animation style. The Animation style is a curious "flat" look to it that reflects the 8th century artwork of the time it is based in. For those that know of the real "Book of Kells" the animation captures the art work in stunning detail.
The movie did not due well in the states however for a number of reason. From the previews, many went expecting some sort of fantasy movie full of magic and fighting and weren't aware that much of what they watched was {if loosely} based on real history.
Curiously there is a tie between the two movies (which is part of why I posted these two together) one of the head animators, Tomm Moore had watched much of "The Thief and the Cobbler" and was inspired by the animation style which reflected Ancient Middle Eastern art, and wished to do a similar movie using Ancient Irish Art styles.
And believe me when I use the terms works of "ART"
The first is a uncompleted masterwork started in 1964 by Richard Williams titled The Thief and the Cobbler.
The movie was to be Williams masterpiece, but it's ambitious scope and expensive production cause it to drag on for almost 30years.
Finally in 1993 an "Edited" version was put out using much of the original work. However in order to make it "marketable" much was changed, voices and songs were added which ruined the over all mood and original purpose of the piece.
Some time later a "pure" version was put out utilizing unfinished animation, sketches, and test plates to create a finished work.
Even full of unfinished parts the movie is a true masterwork and should be enjoyed.
EDIT: there is an even more "unfinished" version that has less colored scenes, however hasMUCH HIgher levels of detail. The above youtube movie has very low quality in places:
The second movie is more modern and called "The Secret of Kells which is loosely based off the history of The Book of Kells. The film was produced in 2009 by a company in Ireland and was received with stunning accolades on it's animation style. The Animation style is a curious "flat" look to it that reflects the 8th century artwork of the time it is based in. For those that know of the real "Book of Kells" the animation captures the art work in stunning detail.
The movie did not due well in the states however for a number of reason. From the previews, many went expecting some sort of fantasy movie full of magic and fighting and weren't aware that much of what they watched was {if loosely} based on real history.
Curiously there is a tie between the two movies (which is part of why I posted these two together) one of the head animators, Tomm Moore had watched much of "The Thief and the Cobbler" and was inspired by the animation style which reflected Ancient Middle Eastern art, and wished to do a similar movie using Ancient Irish Art styles.