John Halas Movies

A poem of unrequited love: the studio's first puppet production. Based on a poem by Cosbie Garstin, the film tells the story of a carved wooden saint...

Instructional cartoon for the Admiralty.

An updated version of Halas and Batchelor's short film, 'The Magic Canvas', with a new electronic score.

First Line of Defence is a short cartoon recruitment film for the RAF created in 1949 by animation duo Halas and Batchelor. The story follows a...

An animated visual interpretation of the song "Autobahn," by German electronic pioneers Kraftwerk. A fast-paced experimental film which proved to be...

A powerfully graphic piece of animation that best expresses John Halas' own feelings about mans universal quest for freedom.

An animated cartoon of drawings by young children, who imagine the motor car of today and of the future.

This World War II propaganda short encourages British people to "dig for victory," by planting vegetable gardens.

One of a humorous series of films devised to explain in graphic terms the concepts of basic mathematical functions.

A documentary essay about the unsung animation visionary, John Halas. An Animated Utopia explores his desire "to save the world using animation" and...

A musically talented ape is captured in the jungle and taken back to civilisation. However, civilisation proves too uncouth for the cultured ape so...

A BAFTA award nominated animation tracing the development of the motor car from the original horseless carriage common in the late 19th century to...

A short animated War Office commissioned health education film, showing the fate of each of the 6 jungle soldiers.

An animated cartoon on smoking and health. The villain, Old Nick O'Teen, disguises himself as an 18-year-old motorcyclist, the better to lure...

A particularly vicious Father Time with a hit-list in his Book of Doom seeks to wipe out characters brought to life from fabric patterns. This neat...

Animated short from Halas and Batchelor encouraging the British public to post early for Christmas.

Joy Batchelor directed, produced, wrote and designed this short film for Brook Bond Tea: two girls compete for the affections of a Teddy Bear.

An illustrated version of Twa Corbies made as the BFI’s contribution to the Festival of Britain. Enlivened by the distinctive voice of John...

Cartoon proof that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. In this 1940s cinema advert, the tardiness of Signalman Squirrel's breakfast...