Voyage to Next

'Voyage into Next (1974)' is a quaint little anti-war statement, the sort of laid-back, hippie-inspired short film that one would expect the 1970s to have produced. But it was also directed by John and Faith Hubley, a husband-and-wife animating team whose work is more subtle and understated than most. Many of the pair's films were produced by animating unrehearsed conversations (usually) between two people, and I had previously enjoyed their 'Windy Day (1968),' which excellently utilised this free-wheeling technique. 'Voyage into Next' was obviously more tightly-scripted, and that the film was to be an anti-war cartoon restricted the voice actors (namely Maureen Stapleton and Dizzy Gillespie) in which conversational paths they could take. Stapleton and Gillespie play Mother Earth and Father Time, respectively, as they observe the destructive conflicts waged between the human nations (represented here as floating boxes) and ponder why our species so unthinkably forgot the virtues of sharing that allowed our ancestors to progress beyond the Stone Age.

There's nothing particularly impressive about the Hubleys' style of animation – minimalist line-drawn human figures highlighted with soft shades of colour – but their style is distinctive, later influencing short films such as the Oscar-winning 'Leisure (1976).' The two well-known voice actors are perfectly chosen (Dizzy Gillespie has one of the coolest-sounding voices ever), and the jazz musician's music is employed successfully to create the film's lighthearted mood, despite the grimness of the subject matter. Mother Earth and Father Time oversee their lilliputian creations, hidden amid mini puffs of artillery smoke, and contemplate their inability to alter human history. The future, it seems, is not in the hands of the gods, but in our own. Of course we have the ability to achieve peace and mutual understanding once more… but will we attain it in time? 'Voyage into Next' was nominated for an Academy Award in 1975, but lost out to the inferior claymation 'Closed Mondays (1974).'

This theme has been done to death in short animation. There is nothing wrong with this film. It is a bit garish and hard to focus on. The jazz is interesting but Dizzy Gillespie is a bit of an acquired taste. The dialogue is sort of mumble and imprecise. It's worth a look as a period piece.

The born optimist that is "Mother Earth" is having an observational chat with the rather more stoic "Father Time" whilst they look at some of the choices mankind has made over the years. From early camp fire settlements to full scale modern-day warfare, it demonstrates the ability of society to polarise, to isolate and to never make the right decision even for their own benefits, much less for the protection of the planet! Time and Earth are discussing ways to stop this impending catastrophe - but neither feel they can intervene. This features quite a witty and enthusiastic narration that offers us an entertainingly written potted history of humanity whilst the animation is lively and effective at developing the plot. Fifty years on, are we more or less likely to live in a metaphorical box?

John and Faith Hubley were among the more successful independent animation studios both artistically and commercially. While some of their work is less successful, it's all worth watch and invariably at least interesting. This short, nominated for an Academy Award (which, were it not for the absolutely brilliant short Closed Mondays, I suspect it would have won in a walk) this is an incredible piece of work. The selection of Maureen Stapledon and Dizzy Gillespie to do the voices was one of a myriad of touches large and small that make this an excellent animated short. Attention to detail, music, backgrouds-it's all first-rate. Most wholeheartedly recommended.