Night Music

This a wonderfully imaginative animation, full of beautiful touches such as the great visual jokes which are worthy of Wallace & Gromit. The narration by writer/director Paul Jacques (who sounds here rather like Tom Waits) adds to the macabre feeling of the film. And the music (by Christopher Knowles) suits it perfectly. The story unfolds at just the right pace and ends with a splendid twist. Dr Bird, the evil genius at the centre of this dark tale, is a great creation and I would like to know more about his history and those of the other characters. I can't believe that this is the first film that Jacques has made. And I can't wait to see the next one!

An entrancing animated short film. The gramophone of the mysterious and strange Dr Bird stops working and he has to go out (into the seediest parts of the big city at night) to find what he needs (what this is is not clear at first) to make it play again. On the way he goes to a sailors' dive and a dance hall, buys a soul from the devil and conducts a wedding, before he gets what he wants. Very nice animation and soundtrack - all done on a budget of next-to-nothing - only £500 according to the website. The story keeps you interested and there is a great plot twist at the end. Some nice jokes as well - I liked the bottle of 'Sumatran Rat'.

Fantastic visuals, bags of true creativity and a gripping vocal performance grace this modern fairy story. The artistic quality is jaw-dropping from the first frame and the story intrigues and ultimately satisfies, though for my taste it's slightly too well signposted - there were one or two instances where the pictures could have told the story on their own. I especially loved the smudgy, smoky, jaundiced palette and the animation techniques which effectively evoke moods from creepy horror to lyrical romance. The text is poetic but with plenty of wry observational humour, and there's plenty of fun to be had in the detailed drawings as well. Very well done effort and I look forward to seeing more!

I saw this film in a cinema and was blown away by the combination of the images, the music and Paul Jacques' wonderful voice. So much imagination packed into such a short space of time! And I love the jokes (eg the collection box for "Orphans and Stuff"), I understand that while Paul has worked as a professional artist and writer, this is the first time that he has even considered making a film. But having got the bug he wants to do another. I look forward to the sequel and to anything he produces in the future. Contratulations to all involved - The Independent Film Trust, Raindance, Portugal Prints, Westminster Mind and Westminster Arts.