This film is part of Free

The Great Gordino

Fans of Mr Benn will recognise the style of this effective and moving campaign film for Save the Children

Animation & Artists Moving Image 1978 15 mins

Overview

Forget “Abracadabra!” or “Hey Presto!” Here the magic words are Save the Children and the real magician is David McKee – the man behind perennial favourites Mr Benn and Elmer the Patchwork Elephant. In a series of innovative campaign films the charity and McKee’s team used their distinctive style (and Ray Brooks’ voice) to provide a clever marriage of factual information and emotive appeal. The fact that it looks like a children’s cartoon makes the discomforting reminder of reality all the more effective.