John Halas Remembered: an animator ahead of his time (1912-1995)

A newly-updated version of the documentary about John Halas, the Hungarian-Jewish emigre who became the father of British Animation. This new version was made to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the founding of Halas & Batchelor on 18th May 1940. John is a key figure in British cinema and his contribution goes far beyond making "Animal Farm" in 1954, Britain's first animated feature-film. He produced more than 2,000 films between 1938 and 1995, launched the careers of hundreds of British animators and was a visionary who wanted to create a post-War Utopia through Socialism, animation and international understanding. The film was made to coincide with the centenary of his birth on 12 April 2012. The film was commissioned and produced by his daughter Vivien Halas, who co-directed it with Martin Pickles. This new version is narrated by Zoe Wanamaker and has new music by Tanera Dawkins and sound mixing by Tom Lowe.