Wallace and Gromit
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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| - | '''Wallace and Gromit''' are the main characters in a series of four [[United Kingdom|British]] [[Animation|animated]] [[short film]]s, a series of ten short-animated sequences, and a [[feature film|feature-length film]] by [[Nick Park]] of [[Aardman Animations]]. All the characters were made from moulded [[plasticine]] modelling clay on metal [[armature]]s, and filmed with [[stop motion]] [[clay animation]]. | + | '''''Wallace & Gromit''''' is a British [[stop-motion]] comedy franchise created by [[Nick Park]] of [[Aardman Animations]]. The series consists of four [[short films]] and one [[feature-length film]], but has spawned numerous spin-offs and TV adaptations. The series centres on Wallace, a good-natured, eccentric, cheese-loving inventor, along with his companion Gromit, a silent yet loyal and intelligent [[anthropomorphic]] dog. The first short film, ''[[A Grand Day Out]]'', was finished and made public in 1989. Wallace was originally voiced by veteran actor [[Peter Sallis]] and later by [[Ben Whitehead]]. Gromit is largely silent, communicating through [[facial expression]]s and [[body language]]. |
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| + | Because of their widespread popularity, the characters have been described as positive international [[List of cultural icons of the United Kingdom|cultural icons]] of both modern British culture and British people in general. [[BBC News]] called them "some of the best-known and best-loved stars to come out of the UK". ''Icons'' has said they have done "more to improve the image of the English world-wide than any officially appointed ambassadors". Although not overtly set in any particular town, Park has hinted that it was inspired by 1950s [[Wigan]] in the north of England. Wallace's accent comes from the [[Holme Valley]] of [[West Yorkshire]]. Wallace is fond of [[Wensleydale cheese]] (from [[Wensleydale]], North Yorkshire). | ||
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| + | Their films have received critical acclaim, with the first three of the short films, ''[[A Grand Day Out]]'' (1989), ''[[The Wrong Trousers]]'' (1993) and ''[[A Close Shave]]'' (1995), and all being extremely well received; the feature film ''[[Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit|The Curse of the Were-Rabbit]]'' (2005) also received similar acclaim. The feature film is the [[List of highest-grossing animated films#Stop-motion animation|second-highest-grossing stop-motion animated film ever]], only outgrossed by ''[[Chicken Run]]'', another creation of Park's. Aardman Animation won the [[Peabody Award]] in 1995 for ''Wallace & Gromit''. | ||
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| + | The Wallace and Gromit characters spearhead the fundraising for two children's charities: Wallace & Gromit's Children's Foundation, which supports [[children's hospice]]s and [[Children's hospital|hospitals]] in the United Kingdom, and Wallace and Gromit's Grand Appeal, the [[Bristol Royal Hospital for Children#Wallace & Gromit's Grand Appeal|charity for Bristol Children's Hospital]] in [[Bristol]], England. | ||
| - | Wallace is an absent-minded [[inventor]], cheese enthusiast (especially for [[Wensleydale cheese]]), and companion to the [[dog]], Gromit, who appears to be rather more intelligent than his master. Wallace is voiced by veteran actor [[Peter Sallis]]; Gromit remains silent, communicating only through [[facial expressions]] and [[body language]]. | ||
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Wallace & Gromit is a British stop-motion comedy franchise created by Nick Park of Aardman Animations. The series consists of four short films and one feature-length film, but has spawned numerous spin-offs and TV adaptations. The series centres on Wallace, a good-natured, eccentric, cheese-loving inventor, along with his companion Gromit, a silent yet loyal and intelligent anthropomorphic dog. The first short film, A Grand Day Out, was finished and made public in 1989. Wallace was originally voiced by veteran actor Peter Sallis and later by Ben Whitehead. Gromit is largely silent, communicating through facial expressions and body language.
Because of their widespread popularity, the characters have been described as positive international cultural icons of both modern British culture and British people in general. BBC News called them "some of the best-known and best-loved stars to come out of the UK". Icons has said they have done "more to improve the image of the English world-wide than any officially appointed ambassadors". Although not overtly set in any particular town, Park has hinted that it was inspired by 1950s Wigan in the north of England. Wallace's accent comes from the Holme Valley of West Yorkshire. Wallace is fond of Wensleydale cheese (from Wensleydale, North Yorkshire).
Their films have received critical acclaim, with the first three of the short films, A Grand Day Out (1989), The Wrong Trousers (1993) and A Close Shave (1995), and all being extremely well received; the feature film The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005) also received similar acclaim. The feature film is the second-highest-grossing stop-motion animated film ever, only outgrossed by Chicken Run, another creation of Park's. Aardman Animation won the Peabody Award in 1995 for Wallace & Gromit.
The Wallace and Gromit characters spearhead the fundraising for two children's charities: Wallace & Gromit's Children's Foundation, which supports children's hospices and hospitals in the United Kingdom, and Wallace and Gromit's Grand Appeal, the charity for Bristol Children's Hospital in Bristol, England.
