Great (1975)
Bob Godfrey's Oscar-winning animated short celebrating the audacious life of Victorian engineering giant Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
Great - Movie Information
- Original Title: Great
- Release Year: 1975
- Directed by: Bob Godfrey
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Animation, History, Documentary
- Runtime: 27m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 17, 1975 (United Kingdom - U)
- Alternative Titles: Great (UK)
- Production Companies: Bob Godfrey Films, British Lion Films, Grantstern Films
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Great - Plot
An animated film about the British engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who spearheaded numerous engineering marvels of the early 19th century - including the Thames Tunnel, the Great Western Railway, and the Great Eastern steamship (for 40 years the world's largest steamship). Various styles of animation are used to depict events in his colorful life.
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Great - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Bob Godfrey
Main Cast
- Richard Briers
- Harry Fowler
- Barbara Moore
- Angus Lennie
- Peter Hawkins
- Dick Graham
- Imogen Claire
- Cyril Shaps
Great - FAQs
What is Great (1975) about?
Great is a 1975 animated short film celebrating the life of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the visionary Victorian engineer behind the Thames Tunnel, the Great Western Railway, and the Great Eastern steamship. Bob Godfrey brings Brunel's colorful story to life using a variety of inventive animation styles.
Did Great win any awards?
Yes! Great took home the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film at the 1976 Oscars. It was a well-deserved win for Bob Godfrey, whose witty and irreverent take on Brunel's life charmed both audiences and the Academy alike.
Is Great based on a true story?
Great is rooted in real history. It dramatizes the life of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, one of Britain's most celebrated engineers, who built the Thames Tunnel, the Great Western Railway, and the Great Eastern steamship in the 19th century. The film takes a playful, satirical approach to his biography.
Who voices Isambard Kingdom Brunel in Great?
Richard Briers provides the voice of Isambard Kingdom Brunel in the film. Briers, widely beloved for his comedic roles in British television, brings warmth and wit to the larger-than-life Victorian engineer at the heart of this animated short.
Who directed the animated short film Great?
Great was directed by Bob Godfrey, one of Britain's most celebrated animation filmmakers. Godfrey was known for his irreverent humor and eclectic visual style, and Great stands as one of his most acclaimed works, earning him an Academy Award.
What animation styles are used in Great?
One of the film's most distinctive qualities is its use of multiple animation styles throughout. Bob Godfrey blends traditional cel animation with more experimental and satirical visual approaches, giving each chapter of Brunel's life a fresh, dynamic look that keeps the short film consistently engaging.
How long is the animated film Great?
Great runs for 27 minutes, making it a short film. Despite its brief runtime, it packs in a surprisingly rich portrait of Brunel's life and achievements, blending humor, history, and inventive animation into a thoroughly entertaining package.
Where can I watch Great (1975)?
You can check current streaming and viewing options for Great on JustWatch, which tracks availability across platforms in your region. As an Oscar-winning short film, it occasionally surfaces on specialist animation and classic film platforms.
More About Great
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