John Gilpin

1951
Sound
9m

The History of John Gilpin becomes even more diverting when paired with illustrations by Ronald Searle

If you haven't already been diverted by the history of John Gilpin, or would like to venture that way again, you couldn't find a better accompaniment than the drawings of Ronald Searle. The BFI commissioned four films from Halas & Bactchelor to be screened in the 'Telekinema' for the Festival of Britain. Pitched as an experiment in combining verse with illustrations, this fourth and last edition was the only one that contained a single work, with plenty of room to breath.

Drawings by Ronald Searle accompanying a reading of William Cowper's poem 'John Gilpin' (read by Cecil Trouncer).

The Animator's Art

Free from commercial restraints, animators explore their art

After WWII, animation was increasingly recognised as a vital art form in its own right. Commercial work put food on their plates, but animators longed for creative freedom, and many production companies and determined animators created independent works in between paid gigs. Unshackled from commercial concerns, the resulting films were often daring in their pursuit of abstraction or personal expression. Meanwhile, many artists from other media have found that animation adds a vital new dimension to their work. But while such films were celebrated in their community they were rarely shown more widely. This collection showcases often hard-to-see examples of the animator's art at its purest and most individual.