This film is part of Free
Topology
A maths lesson is an excuse for an animator’s tour de force
Overview
Whilst parts of this film might feel like maths homework, it is quickly apparent that the subject is just a playground for an animator at the top of his game. Produced at the mid-point of Harold Whitaker’s four decades in British animation, his vivid, snappy line is evident throughout, but particularly in the section where a torus shape is inverted repeatedly. A comic character is even thrown in just to have an excuse to repeat this tricky technical drawing task.
Harold Whitaker began his animation career at the studio of Anson Dyer in 1940, picking it up again in 1946 after service in WWII. He joined the Halas & Batchelor studio in 1952 in the build up to Animal Farm, and he was one of five key animators on the film. He was the principal animator at the studio into the 1980s, working on everything from commercials to the sci-fi anthology feature Heavy Metal (1981).
Related
Vote for Froglet Vote for Froglet
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1974 7 mins
As the general election is held in the UK, it's polling day for the Clangers on a small blue planet far away.
Next Next
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1989 5 mins
Two virtuoso performances in one – Shakespeare's complete works presented in puppet form by a master of animation
Max Beeza and the City in the Sky Max Beeza and the City in the Sky
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1977 24 mins
As sublime as it is silly, this ambitious animated short mixes a vision of a dystopian, tower block Britain with anarchic vaudeville humour
Superted Superted
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1975 9 mins
Don’t tell the Spotty man but Superted has a new friend. A stop motion predecessor of the superhero teddy idea
The United Kingdom The United Kingdom
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1994 5 mins
What does it mean to be British? You might not have a much clearer idea after watching this animated portrait, but you will certainly be entertained
Animated Britain (trailer) Animated Britain (trailer)
Promotional 2018 1 mins
Discover an animated portrait of Britain, brought to life frame by painstaking frame, with our free-to-view BFI Player archive collection - available as part of Animation 2018, a year-long celebration of animation
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.