This richly-illustrated books draws on unique material from the BFI Archive to tell the story of animation in Britain, from early experiments with stop-motion to Wallace and Gromit.

A Sight & Sound Book of the Year Jez Stewart charts the course of this extraordinarily fertile area of British film from early experiments with stop-motion and the flourishing of animated drawings during WWI. He reveals how the rockier interwar period set the shape of the industry in enduring ways, and how creatives like Len Lye and Lotte Reiniger brought art to advertising and sponsored films, building a foundation for such distinctive talents as Bob Godfrey, Alison De Vere and George Dunning to unleash their independent visions in the age of commercial TV. Stewart highlights the integral role of women in the industry, the crucial boost delivered by the arrival of Channel 4, the emergence of online animation and much more. The book features ‘close-up’ analyses of key animators such as Lancelot Speed and Richard Williams, as well as more thematic takes on art, politics and music. It builds a framework for better appreciating Britain’s landmark contributions to the art of animation, including Halas and Batchelor’s Animal Farm (1954), Dunning’s Yellow Submarine (1968) and the creations of Aardman Animations.

"A highly readable history ... if Stewart's book has a fault, it's far too short." - Sight and Sound

"An excellent read. The style is accessible to the casual reader with an interest in the topic, but is still sufficiently detailed and full of fascinating facts to be of interest to the animation expert or student." - Animation for Adults

"Well researched and dense with historical detail … Stewart’s own evident passion for animation brings welcome color to the history." - Animation Studios 2.0