Creature Comforts: Series 01
Part of Series:
Creature Comforts [Animated TV Series]
Based on a series of animated shorts by the innovative Nick Park (Wallace & Gromit, Chicken Run) and developed for television by Park's longtime collaborator Richard Goleszowski, the BBC1 TV series Creature Comforts consisted of 13 half-hour episodes, each containing a cluster of 10-minute Claymation vignettes. The characters were drawn from various animal species -- mammal, reptile, insect, fish -- all of whom discoursed at great and hilarious length over the important issues facing the animal world today. The series' basic joke was to offer a traditional vox populi interview program from an animal point-of-view, with such interviewees as Matilda the Cow, Miss Dynamite the Pig, Mr. Tickles the Seal, Fergal the Shark, and Sue and Lorraine the walruses representing "The Great British Public." Joke or not, a number of pointed and inescapable truths about contemporary society were dispensed in the course of the interviews, principally because the dialogue was lifted verbatim from the genuine extemporaneous comments of "everyday" people. Produced by Aardman Animation, Creature Comforts made its United Kingdom TV bow on October 1, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Includes Seasons:
Creature Comforts: Series 01
The initial season of the British Claymation series Creature Comforts consists of 13 episodes, in which animated animals are interviewed on the topics that concern them most (and, as it turns out, many of the topics are of equal concern to human beings). In "The Circus," we meet an elephant suffering from stage fright, and a performing seal who chronicles his extensive musical training. "Pets at the Vets" is highlighted by a variety of complaints about a variety of animal ailments, many of the best ones offered by a piranha suffering from a toothache. Among those profiled in "Working Animals" are a multi-tasking cockroach and a group of lab rats grimly looking forward to retirement. "The Sea" features a shark with a phobia about depth, and a walrus with cramps. In "The Garden" we learn why worms abhor fresh air, watch a contemplative woodpecker in his off-hours, and witness a pond converting into a singles bar for frogs. The question of whether or not bloodhounds should eat oysters and the ethical dilemma of a pigeon with a taste for fried chicken are probed in "Feeding Time." In "The Beach," a group of sea anemones wax wroth about sharing their water space, while an octopus develops a taste for sweets. "What's It All About, Then" has several animals pondering the purpose of their lives, notably a group of quizzical cats and some spiritual slugs. Issues addressed in "Pet Shop" include a goldfish who takes the "gold" part of his name too much to heart and the conversational skills of stick-insects. "Being a Bird" casts light upon such matters as the homing instinct and the problems of navigating around skylights. "Is There Anyone Out There?" finds a few animals discoursing about "invaders," both extraterrestrial and terrestrial. "Cats or Dogs" serves up comparisons of the two species, including an assessment of their abilities to alert their masters about burglars. And "Merry Christmas" proves beyond question that the Yuletide season isn't just for dogs. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Includes Episodes:
Creature Comforts: The Circus
Creature Comforts: Pets at the Vets
Creature Comforts: Working Animals
Creature Comforts: The Sea
Creature Comforts: The Garden
Creature Comforts: Feeding Time
Creature Comforts: The Beach
Creature Comforts: The Pet Shop
Creature Comforts: What's it All About?
Creature Comforts: Being a Bird
Cast
n/a | Crew
Nick Park - Director
Richard Goleszowski - Director
Richard Goleszowski - Producer
Nick Park - Show Creator
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Creature Comforts: Series 01
(not reviewed)
General Specifications: | | Language Options: | English | | Subtitle Options: | English | | Sound Processing: | | | Additional Features: | Includes all 13 episodes
Widescreen presentation
DVD picture quality
| | DVD Aspect Ratio: | 1.78:1: Alternate Wide Screen
| | MPAA Rating: | NR | | DVD Discs Included: | 1 | | DVD Sides: | 1 | | DVD DVD Region Code: | 1 | | Content Length: | 133 min | | | |
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