Skywhales

I had seen this movie short in a compilation VHS at a friend's house when i was very young and then as life carries along i became part of the animation industry myself. i got aware of other shorts and masterpieces like this one. so recalling my memories i tried to find info on this short movie but at that time nothing was available until today i planned to create an animation on this story my self so if someone saw my piece and they would know the original they would let me know. but as a last search i started typing flying manta, whales, horse people etc. some how i thought it was a French or Belgian produce. huh.

This short gives the feel of moebius artwork. so same situation is for JON ZECK who created RIDER story for EPIC illustrated for marvel comics. that guy is the ultimate artist. awesome. but there is no info where is he now. ...YoHUUUU. IMDb i found skywhales. I exist now.

Oh thank God for IMDb. This movie has stayed with me since I first saw it as a teenager but I could never remember what it was called. On an off-chance I tried doing a Google searching for "animated movie floating island hunt" as that was pretty much all I could remember. A few links later and I found a few images from this movie and a link to IMDb.

I remember the movie leaving me open-mouthed at the end and I have told so many people about it. I remember the animation being way ahead of its time but maybe that's just false memory ;)

Is there ANY way to buy a copy???

Strange creatures set out with harpoons and attack flying whales, not for sport but out of necessity. It's dangerous work with many pitfalls. The neat thing is that these characters live in fear of the hunt but know they must fulfill their roles. Well crafted production.

Why is everyone convinced this isn't available on DVD when IT IS?

Look at this website http://www.britishanimationawards.com

click on 'Buy Animation Classics' link on left hand side,

and you'll find "Skywhales" is listed amongst the contents for British Animation Classics Vol. 1 !

It's a British issue, but it is in fact a Region '0' NTSC release!

I know. I've got one. I didn't know about it either, until I emailed co-director Derek Hayes, who told me all about it.

I saw this in the cinema in 1983 as a support to... I cannot remember. I only remember this masterpiece!

Until recently I thought I had actually dreamt this story! I'd tried to look this up so many times but I guess I was a letter or space away from "Skywhales". I was so close to drawing it up as a comic and using it as my own work - glad I decided to have one last look before I did.

I must have been about 5 when I saw this on TV (I was born in 1982) and have vividly remembered it since. I remember it being very moving (and creepy), I think it made me cry too.

I've looked around and it seems pretty hard to find a copy, thankfully I've found it on YouTube. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post this but here goes; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVmKhNG6S3o

I haven't watched it yet because this is one memory I don't want to ruin.