Alt Animation
January 17, 2015 1:03 PM Subscribe
From The Adventures of Prince Achmed to The Lego Movie, check out this list of Non-Disney, Non-Pixar and Non-Studio Ghibli Animated Films.
A couple of the list's inclusions are debatable, however. For example, The Nightmare Before Christmas was produced as a Disney film up until Disney actually saw the result, at which point they chose to release it under their Touchstone label instead. This is why Disneyland is able to turn their famous Haunted House into a Nightmare Before Christmas ride for part of the year, and the film includes some Hidden Mickeys.
A couple of the list's inclusions are debatable, however. For example, The Nightmare Before Christmas was produced as a Disney film up until Disney actually saw the result, at which point they chose to release it under their Touchstone label instead. This is why Disneyland is able to turn their famous Haunted House into a Nightmare Before Christmas ride for part of the year, and the film includes some Hidden Mickeys.
Well, one Ghibli film- Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro is on there.
It's nice to see The Illusionist listed.
NB: the last 10 minutes of The Illusionist will destroy you.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 2:46 PM on January 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
It's nice to see The Illusionist listed.
NB: the last 10 minutes of The Illusionist will destroy you.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 2:46 PM on January 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
The Last Unicorn 2015-2016 screening tour
posted by Wolfdog at 2:54 PM on January 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Wolfdog at 2:54 PM on January 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
I love Vuk but I can reluctantly sort of understand why the reviewer might not have. But still.
posted by Wolfdog at 2:58 PM on January 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Wolfdog at 2:58 PM on January 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
This is a good list, both for satisfactorily including things I like and hoped to see, and for giving me ideas about things I haven't seen yet. Thanks for posting it.
posted by Wolfdog at 3:08 PM on January 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Wolfdog at 3:08 PM on January 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
In a loose coincidence, I am just about to settle down to read Mrs. Frisby and the Ra s of NIMH, which I have never read (til now) despite having loved the movie very much.
posted by Wolfdog at 3:11 PM on January 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Wolfdog at 3:11 PM on January 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
Cagliostro was directed by Miyazaki but six years before Studio Ghibli was founded
posted by sineater at 3:11 PM on January 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by sineater at 3:11 PM on January 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
Wolfdog, you won't be disappointed. The book is way better than the movie.
posted by overeducated_alligator at 3:45 PM on January 17, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by overeducated_alligator at 3:45 PM on January 17, 2015 [5 favorites]
From Prince Achmed to the Lego Movie, a good list, but the author seriously should have also excluded all Dreamworks. Seriously, guy, "Kung Fu Panda 2"?
I would've added the recent "Hotel Transylvania", "The Book of Life" and "The Boxtrolls" (NO Laika productions, guy?) to the list but for me, there is one and only one OBVIOUS unacceptable omission.
HEAVY F'ING METAL
posted by oneswellfoop at 3:52 PM on January 17, 2015 [5 favorites]
I would've added the recent "Hotel Transylvania", "The Book of Life" and "The Boxtrolls" (NO Laika productions, guy?) to the list but for me, there is one and only one OBVIOUS unacceptable omission.
HEAVY F'ING METAL
posted by oneswellfoop at 3:52 PM on January 17, 2015 [5 favorites]
As it's listed here (and so this question is vaguely related to this thread) does anyone now if there's an english dub version of A Town Called Panic available. The UK dvd is just subtitles only, which is a shame as I'm pretty sure my nieces and nephews would love it, but they're too young to be having any truck with that sort of thing.
posted by dng at 4:02 PM on January 17, 2015
posted by dng at 4:02 PM on January 17, 2015
I appreciate all the Soviet and Eastern bloc stuff on this list, that stuff really deserves more attention.
posted by Small Dollar at 4:07 PM on January 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Small Dollar at 4:07 PM on January 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
Nothing from Nelvana? No Rock and Rule? No Romie-0 and Julie-8? For shame.
posted by GuyZero at 4:10 PM on January 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by GuyZero at 4:10 PM on January 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
He mentions Twice Upon a Time and says that there were a couple of versions of it. I've seen two, and the second one was a real disappointment.
The better version begins with the bad guy giving a pep talk to a rookery full of buzzards, and it's loaded with profanity and obscenity. Marshall Ephron was brilliant doing that speech, and it was hilarious. The "updated" version completely rewrote that speech and cut the heart out of it.
It isn't funny any more. He says the clean version is preferred by the director; if so, the director is an ass.
Definitely look for the more obscene version if you can find it!
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 5:08 PM on January 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
The better version begins with the bad guy giving a pep talk to a rookery full of buzzards, and it's loaded with profanity and obscenity. Marshall Ephron was brilliant doing that speech, and it was hilarious. The "updated" version completely rewrote that speech and cut the heart out of it.
It isn't funny any more. He says the clean version is preferred by the director; if so, the director is an ass.
Definitely look for the more obscene version if you can find it!
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 5:08 PM on January 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
oneswellfoop: From Prince Achmed to the Lego Movie, a good list, but the author seriously should have also excluded all Dreamworks. Seriously, guy, "Kung Fu Panda 2"?
I think that's fair, DreamWorks' budgets and box office receipts are just as big as the other excluded options, although I thought he did a good job of calling attention to more underrated fare such as Megamind and Puss in Boots. I think maybe the intent was that DreamWorks is often pigeonholed as being more broad vs. the excluded options?
I would've added the recent "Hotel Transylvania", "The Book of Life" and "The Boxtrolls" (NO Laika productions, guy?) to the list but for me, there is one and only one OBVIOUS unacceptable omission.
HEAVY F'ING METAL
Coraline is Laika, it was in the list. I do agree Heavy Metal should be on there, as well as Fritz the Cat, Felix the Cat, Waltz with Bashir, Fantastic Planet, and some more Aardman stuff, but the author did call out why he didn't put more Aardman or Laloux.
posted by JauntyFedora at 5:29 PM on January 17, 2015
I think that's fair, DreamWorks' budgets and box office receipts are just as big as the other excluded options, although I thought he did a good job of calling attention to more underrated fare such as Megamind and Puss in Boots. I think maybe the intent was that DreamWorks is often pigeonholed as being more broad vs. the excluded options?
I would've added the recent "Hotel Transylvania", "The Book of Life" and "The Boxtrolls" (NO Laika productions, guy?) to the list but for me, there is one and only one OBVIOUS unacceptable omission.
HEAVY F'ING METAL
Coraline is Laika, it was in the list. I do agree Heavy Metal should be on there, as well as Fritz the Cat, Felix the Cat, Waltz with Bashir, Fantastic Planet, and some more Aardman stuff, but the author did call out why he didn't put more Aardman or Laloux.
posted by JauntyFedora at 5:29 PM on January 17, 2015
I think he also mentioned in there that he doesn't like Bakshi (so no Fritz the Cat) because it's "ugly." While I can kind of see the argument there, it does seem like some of the ones he included aren't a lot better looking -- like the Beavis and Butthead movie.
posted by Peregrine Pickle at 5:37 PM on January 17, 2015
posted by Peregrine Pickle at 5:37 PM on January 17, 2015
The Adventures of Prince Achmed was perfect watching for a lazy Sunday afternoon. Thanks for putting that up front
posted by Start with Dessert at 5:38 PM on January 17, 2015
posted by Start with Dessert at 5:38 PM on January 17, 2015
I'm pleasantly surprised that I've seen as many of those as I have. I've got a number of things to put on my list now.
I recommend The Adventures of Prince Achmed; I saw it with a live score and it's fantastic.
posted by immlass at 5:56 PM on January 17, 2015
I recommend The Adventures of Prince Achmed; I saw it with a live score and it's fantastic.
posted by immlass at 5:56 PM on January 17, 2015
hanging head in shame for missing Coraline on the list
2nding call for some Bakshi and Nelvana, and more Aardman, but honestly, a REALLY good inclusive list would be easily twice as long. Jerry Beck's Cartoon Research site features oodles of "never heard of that before but it sounds GOOD" in both feature and short toons, especially the weekly posts by Fred Patton, who is right now on Part 10 of a series on French Feature Animation (It's more than Tintin, Apterix and "Triplets of Belleville", y'know).
posted by oneswellfoop at 6:14 PM on January 17, 2015
2nding call for some Bakshi and Nelvana, and more Aardman, but honestly, a REALLY good inclusive list would be easily twice as long. Jerry Beck's Cartoon Research site features oodles of "never heard of that before but it sounds GOOD" in both feature and short toons, especially the weekly posts by Fred Patton, who is right now on Part 10 of a series on French Feature Animation (It's more than Tintin, Apterix and "Triplets of Belleville", y'know).
posted by oneswellfoop at 6:14 PM on January 17, 2015
Let me recommend Sylvan Chomet's (The Illusionist) other film, The Triplets of Belleville. Hilariously bizarre, with a great chase scene at the end.
posted by tommyD at 6:57 PM on January 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by tommyD at 6:57 PM on January 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
No love for Sally Cruikshank? Quasi at the Quackadero?
Don Bluth? Secret of NIMH?
posted by ostranenie at 10:19 PM on January 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
Don Bluth? Secret of NIMH?
posted by ostranenie at 10:19 PM on January 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
The founder of super car manufacturer Koenigsegg has said in a bunch of interviews that the original thing that got him interested in cars was watching "Pinchcliffe Grand Prix " when he was five.
posted by hellojed at 11:39 PM on January 17, 2015
posted by hellojed at 11:39 PM on January 17, 2015
Japan has thousands of movies that are 'Non-Disney, Non-Pixar and Non-Studio Ghibli Animated Films.' At any time of the year there are multiple animated movies in theaters in Japan. Just as a current example, Yokai Watch earned 5 bil. yen for Toho Animation.
posted by gen at 12:34 AM on January 18, 2015
posted by gen at 12:34 AM on January 18, 2015
From the list I definitely remember Nimh and Watership Down and I have watched Wind in the Willows several times. I also loved Dangermouse, which is mentioned as an aside, and i watched in reruns on Canadian public tv.
Surprised The National Film Board of Canada is not mentioned. They had some staples for kids.... My fond memories are the Sweater , the Cat Came Back and the somewhat bizarre Canadian anti-nuke comedy the Big Snit... I think I saw lots of these in school.
Also missing from the list IMO is The Snowmqn.
posted by chapps at 1:19 AM on January 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
Surprised The National Film Board of Canada is not mentioned. They had some staples for kids.... My fond memories are the Sweater , the Cat Came Back and the somewhat bizarre Canadian anti-nuke comedy the Big Snit... I think I saw lots of these in school.
Also missing from the list IMO is The Snowmqn.
posted by chapps at 1:19 AM on January 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
Well, the link isn't working right now and all I can do is access the Google cache which ends at Robot Carnival (1987), so I can only comment on listal-dude's inclusions and exclusions up to that year.
First, listal includes a lot of my favorite foreign animated feature-length films (up to that date): The Hungarian Feherlofia (1981) is fantastic. Unfortunately the only version up at youtube only has Spanish subtitles. It's a great time to like buried treasures if you are morally unconcerned with bittorrent and copyright.
Second, the Chinese Nezha Conquers the Dragon King (1979), which is also on youtube without subtitles. I have a subtitled version on my computer. I just uploaded something to youtube for my first time recently and it was deleted immediately for copyright violation. So I need to figure out how to cheat to get it up for you.
Third, Jiri Trnka's Midsummer Night's Dream (1959) (which isn't even up to 200 votes at IMDb yet). If you are a glass half-full type, it is up on youtube... with English subtitles... but it's divided into seven videos and the first one has been deleted.
As for listal's omissions, I've already expressed myself on Bakshi in the recent MeFi thread. Given the international focus I was also surprised listal didn't include one by the French animator Rene Laloux, who did Fantastic Planet (1973) and Time Masters (1982). (It's possible listal includes Gandahar (1988), but probably not.)
For Anime I didn't really like Robot Carnival; I prefer the similar anthology movie Neo-Tokyo (1987). But only because one of the three segments--called "The Running Man" (youtube!)--is one my favorite animated shorts. Listal dude doesn't include my favorite Japanese animation from that time period, the gothic and surrealist Angel's Egg (1985). There are several different subtitled versions up at youtube.
Maybe I'll comment on the rest of his list later if the link starts working again. But older foreign films are the most overlooked.
posted by dgaicun at 4:03 AM on January 18, 2015 [3 favorites]
First, listal includes a lot of my favorite foreign animated feature-length films (up to that date): The Hungarian Feherlofia (1981) is fantastic. Unfortunately the only version up at youtube only has Spanish subtitles. It's a great time to like buried treasures if you are morally unconcerned with bittorrent and copyright.
Second, the Chinese Nezha Conquers the Dragon King (1979), which is also on youtube without subtitles. I have a subtitled version on my computer. I just uploaded something to youtube for my first time recently and it was deleted immediately for copyright violation. So I need to figure out how to cheat to get it up for you.
Third, Jiri Trnka's Midsummer Night's Dream (1959) (which isn't even up to 200 votes at IMDb yet). If you are a glass half-full type, it is up on youtube... with English subtitles... but it's divided into seven videos and the first one has been deleted.
As for listal's omissions, I've already expressed myself on Bakshi in the recent MeFi thread. Given the international focus I was also surprised listal didn't include one by the French animator Rene Laloux, who did Fantastic Planet (1973) and Time Masters (1982). (It's possible listal includes Gandahar (1988), but probably not.)
For Anime I didn't really like Robot Carnival; I prefer the similar anthology movie Neo-Tokyo (1987). But only because one of the three segments--called "The Running Man" (youtube!)--is one my favorite animated shorts. Listal dude doesn't include my favorite Japanese animation from that time period, the gothic and surrealist Angel's Egg (1985). There are several different subtitled versions up at youtube.
Maybe I'll comment on the rest of his list later if the link starts working again. But older foreign films are the most overlooked.
posted by dgaicun at 4:03 AM on January 18, 2015 [3 favorites]
Fehérlófia with English subtitles at Archive.org. Was going to be the flagship link of my monster Hungarian animation post but here you go. (it's on of the most visited posts on my blog, so I feel compelled to keep up with it. It's almost impossible to get a copy, and it is REALLY amazing.)
I was stunned that Habfürdö was included, not because it isn't worthwhile (I love the way Kovásznai György distorts the features of the characters in order to reflect their moods and their changing perceptions of themselves and each other, he's a fantastic artist) but because up until recently it's been almost impossible to see. I learned of its existence from one shitty Youtube clip, and wasn't able to see a copy with English subs until relatively recently.
Not that that has ever stopped me. I will watch Hungarian animation with no subtitles for many hours.
posted by louche mustachio at 4:57 AM on January 18, 2015
I was stunned that Habfürdö was included, not because it isn't worthwhile (I love the way Kovásznai György distorts the features of the characters in order to reflect their moods and their changing perceptions of themselves and each other, he's a fantastic artist) but because up until recently it's been almost impossible to see. I learned of its existence from one shitty Youtube clip, and wasn't able to see a copy with English subs until relatively recently.
Not that that has ever stopped me. I will watch Hungarian animation with no subtitles for many hours.
posted by louche mustachio at 4:57 AM on January 18, 2015
For Anime I didn't really like Robot Carnival; I prefer the similar anthology movie Neo-Tokyo (1987). But only because one of the three segments--called "The Running Man" (youtube! yt )--is one my favorite animated shorts.
Yes, Neo-Tokyo is pretty awesome. I actually first saw the individual segment "The Running Man" waaaaay back in the day on MTV as a standalone short.
posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 5:32 AM on January 18, 2015
Yes, Neo-Tokyo is pretty awesome. I actually first saw the individual segment "The Running Man" waaaaay back in the day on MTV as a standalone short.
posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 5:32 AM on January 18, 2015
Lots of great stuff on that list! I saw Ernest and Celestine the other night and it was completely enchanting, one of the loveliest films I've seen in ages. It's also a free watch on Amazon Prime, at least in the UK
Also free on Amazon Prime is an excellent 2007 feature not on the list (that I saw), Peur(s) du Noir- a collection of black-and-white horror shorts by a bunch of comics superstars including Blutch and Charles Burns... really surprised not to see it on the list but it's often overlooked.
posted by Erasmouse at 8:39 AM on January 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
Also free on Amazon Prime is an excellent 2007 feature not on the list (that I saw), Peur(s) du Noir- a collection of black-and-white horror shorts by a bunch of comics superstars including Blutch and Charles Burns... really surprised not to see it on the list but it's often overlooked.
posted by Erasmouse at 8:39 AM on January 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
Surprised by the extent of Hungariana on this list. I've seen altogether too few Hungarian animated films: Macskafogó left me cold, and Nyócker! left me a bit cold, but I'd like to see the gems of the genre. I would love to know where an American can get an eyeful of Lúdas Matyi, Fehérlófia, or Habfürdö. I'm not averse to torrents and other legally dubious methods if there is truly no lawful way to experience these stateside.
(I see louche moustachio has a link to Fehérlófia. Awesomeness!)
posted by jackbishop at 9:42 AM on January 18, 2015
(I see louche moustachio has a link to Fehérlófia. Awesomeness!)
posted by jackbishop at 9:42 AM on January 18, 2015
Oh, damn. The Mouse and His Child. Beyond the last visible dog. Treacle brittle! I watched that one when I was five. No wonder I'm so pretentious.
papa? papa?... papa! :-(
posted by ostranenie at 2:51 PM on January 18, 2015
papa? papa?... papa! :-(
posted by ostranenie at 2:51 PM on January 18, 2015
Wonderful Days, a.k.a. Sky Blue, is a visually striking animated film out of South Korea. It's story of environmental destruction, pollution and class struggle is set on a dystopian future Earth, and is certainly worthy of mention here.
posted by Quasimike at 4:08 PM on January 18, 2015
posted by Quasimike at 4:08 PM on January 18, 2015
Great list— lots of titles I'd like to track down.
#12 on the list, identified as "The Monkey King" but more accurately "Uproar in Heaven", is available on Youtube with English subtitles.
posted by zompist at 4:39 PM on January 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
#12 on the list, identified as "The Monkey King" but more accurately "Uproar in Heaven", is available on Youtube with English subtitles.
posted by zompist at 4:39 PM on January 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
Also, another, older version of the Journey to the West or Monkey King story is Saiyuki from 1960. A somewhat edited (and poorer for it) version of this made it's way to America as "Alakazam the Great," though it has been largely forgotten now.
posted by Quasimike at 8:11 PM on January 18, 2015
posted by Quasimike at 8:11 PM on January 18, 2015
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posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 1:39 PM on January 17, 2015 [1 favorite]