Why Chicken Run is the greatest film ever made
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 มิ.ย. 2024
- I'm not kidding. Chicken Run by Aardman animation is the greatest film ever made, and quite possibly the high water mark of human culture. Yes lockdown is going fine why do you ask
If you enjoyed this nonsense and want to see more, tell me so on / simonoxfphys
Behind the scenes footage taken from: • Video
Recording of the Missa Papae Marcelli from the Oxford Camerata (the best one, imho): • Palestrina - Missa Pap...
There's a lot of interconnections that I didn't even end up talking about in this video, such as the absurdity of the central plot mirroring the absurdity of the film existing at all, and the nature of humans leaving their thumbprints in the clay mirroring we humans leaving our footprints in the sand. Have I gone too deep on this one, or not deep enough? Only time will tell. Well, that or Chicken Run 2, which I hope we don't actually get. You can't improve on perfection.
In short, Aardman rules. Chicken Run rules. Nick Park is a don. Drops mic.
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Music by Epidemic Sound: epidemicsound.com (and from Harry Gregson-Williams and John Powell)
Huge thanks to my supporters on Patreon: Eric Webb, Julian, David Edwards, Michał Zaborniak, Jovana, Luveen Rupchand Wadhwani, hennersfl, Federico Ameijenda, Jon Sjöberg, Ian Dolan-Betney, Jack Troup, Austin Frazee, SexyCaveman , Joe Mickleburgh, KASponland , James Munro, Kenneth Kusmierek, Andy Hartley, Chrismarie , Oskar Hellström, Sean Richards, Kedar , Omar Miranda, Alastair Fortune, bitreign33 , Mat Allen, Anne Smith, Colin J. Brown, Princess Andromeda, Leighton Mackenzie, Ethan Fuller, Charles Bray, Kendall Hendrix, Lachlan Woods, Tim Boxall, Dan Hanvey, Simon Donkers, Kodzo , jawad alalasi, James Bridges, Liam , Wendover Productions, Kendra Johnson - ภาพยนตร์และแอนิเมชัน
Seeing an orchestra dressed in tuxedos and dresses, and those same people then using brightly coloured kazoos is hilarious
I choose to believe the Pirates of the Carribean theme is a reference to Chicken Run
That is my head cannon now and it will not be changed...
The *Brethren Court* didn't want to be turned into pies.
The Chicken Run film and theme is based on "The Great Escape" directed by John Sturges, Starring Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, James Garner etc.
@@tomtomwarwar9101 Communist Party of Britain symbol
Chicken Run predicted Pirates Of The Caribbean.
A film that is incredible as a young child when you've no idea what its based on, and then even better when you re-watch it as an adult. Brilliant
Oh god I know right, I actually had never seen the great escape, didnt know what it was about, later found out that chicken run was based off it, literally blew little me's mind
@@solchapeau6343 yup
I only watched it once, when I was a kid, and it blew my mind when I only learned a few months ago that it was about a war camp, but looking at it now it's kinda obvious XD I need to give it another watch + implore ppl I know to (re)watch it as well
Damn right, and making the connection to this is even better again 😉
th-cam.com/video/sU9RbH1SmV4/w-d-xo.html
Because then we can see where out money goes when we buy chicken products, and we can say f*ck off to supporting those vile and cruel industries 😄
It was amazing then and now
"my life flashed before my eyes, it was really boring"
thats really morbid for a children's movie
I remember almost shitting my pants during the slaughter scene.
@@christopherstein2024 I feel you, this movie scared me as a kid
But you can't make more video's like this one, because there is only the one Chicken Run.
For now...
Sequel is beginning production next year
@@orangesky8864 No Julia Sawalha as Ginger = a big no from me
@Jelle Joustra GREAT movie, all the Wallace and Gromit films are amazing, it's what I grew up watching
@@rowanc88 I hear they're recasting Mel Gibson too
Chicken Run? *Immediately smashes like button*
"Chicken Run? Immediately smashes like button" Immediately smashes like button
“”Chicken Run? *Immediately smashes like button.*”” “*Immediately smashes like button.*” *Immediately smashes like button.*
Same
Guilty
Agreed
"Mrs Tweedy the chickens are revolting",
"Finally something we agree on" - BEST LINE IN A FILM EVER!!!!
Never got it til this moment lol
@@WorseReviews youre welcome
Didn't expect to hear "entropy claims us all" in a video about chicken run.
This is still my favourite film; the scene that still hits me is when the chickens have just witnessed one of their own get executed (poor Edwina), and within the gloom of defeat, Ginger (sitting on the roof of the chicken shed) finds her strength again, gazing at the geese migrating with pure freedom, beyond the fences to the pastured green, that seems so close, yet so far away. #justiceforedwina
Quantum Spice Right? It’s atrocious :(
Ditto. It's such a humble, hilarious, and very strangely inspiring film.
Simon: "A chicken coop, an allegory for a Nazi war camp--"
Me, who loved this film but hasn't seen it in 10 years and never made the connection: what
I'm glad I wasn't the only one. Fuck I thought I was so dumb
Yeah then he's making stuff with eggs at the end, built on the suffering of chickens. A bit of a weird finish I think
This was one of the animated movies I see more times in my childhood, and I never realize that, until a few years ago.
@@stevenhale2935 Nah: those're Free Range :D .
(literally)
@@jimtaylor294 'free range' is jist clever branding to avoid consumer guilt
"Art has no survival value. Instead, it gives value to survival."
Whose quote is that? It's brilliant
@@347Jimmy Originally it was from C.S. Lewis, though his full quote focuses on friendship, with a side mention that the same is true of art and philosophy. I felt that paraphrasing to apply it to art would fit nicely with the video's theme :)
(Though I actually paraphrased from another paraphrasing that only mentioned friendship, which is interesting. Bonus points for whoever knows who that middle-man is!)
"Chicken run is humanity manifest" - so poetic i nearly teared up lol
I love how the filmmaking process is an analogy for World War 2 as well. It was a multi national effort between the English, Americans, and French.
What about the Russians?
@@YellowSpaceMarine and also the germans! the war wouldn't have been possible without the german effort
No Russians it’s a no go
@@AndDiracisHisProphet That is... Technically right!
"Why Chicken Run is the geatest film ever made."
Ah, I see you're a man of culture as well.
Puzzahhh!! A man of quality!! 💂♂️
That ending hits pretty hard. Damn good job mate. Futility is the end result of everything, so why not have some fun on the way?
Anti-nihilism in a nutshell.
Did not expect to see you here
I forget that Rimmy is also a normal human who also watches youtube videos.
♫ _Always look on the bright side of life_ ♫
Those Old Men are up to something
Chicken run made me vegan as a 5 year old. My mum resented the film ever since
Same! And babe!
Poor stupid post-modern criature
Aer How do you function?
Why? The film presents a "what if" chickens were as intelligent as humans, it's not representative of what chickens are actually like.
If anything the movie made me want fried chicken even more
I agree wholeheartedly! There is an unfortunate stigma against comedy in the Art world, that somehow funny films are less worthy than others ... and particularly so with animated films. But a good comedy - especially one with the pathos and sensitivity of Chicken Run - is sublime and needs far greater skills to write and produce than an action film or drama. Sure, anyone can do cheap slapstick, but _proper_ comedy like this is on another level. Most comedians can become actors, but few actors can become successful comedians. And that is before you even get to the animation of it. What Aardman achieve here with physical models is absolutely incredible - whereas other studios would cheat and use clever CGI, this is all done the old school way, and is all the better for it. *Happy birthday Chicken Run* !
“pathos”
Is that also a reference/mention of “Pathé”, the other studio (along with Aardman and DreamWorks)?
Other than that, *❤️s comment* ‘cos Happy Belated 20th Anniversary Chicken Run”!
Ah, I wish 2000 were now.
This is the single most enjoyable video I think I have ever watched. Certainly at least recently. Genuinely makes me feel like I have a new lease on life in a small but powerful way. Thank you Simon.
Great Escapism
hi
You can't escape the absurd. You must embrace it.
i thought you were mr bean
Chicken Run turned me vegan, greatest film of all time
Regan the Vegan 👍😆
I wish I could say the same!
Animated movie made you...vegan? Wow!
This movie also inspired the Best Animated Feature category at the Oscars. Over 50 years of Disney classics, and chicken movie is so good it creates a new Oscar because it didn't get to win any Oscars, despite being so good.
Chicken Run is goated, it should have won an oscar for being groundbreaking.
I’m a simple man, I see chicken run, I hit the like button.
As someone who's very scientifically minded, I firmly believe that art is not optional. There is something fundamental to the humanity that we experience that drives all of us to be creative and make artistics experiences. Drawing from fantastical mindscapes to real-world politics, from the highs to the lows and everything inbetween, art represents what it is to be human. Plain and simple.
This is something I'm slowly discovering myself. I've just come out of a physics degree, and find myself a little upset that I wasn't granted the opportunity to be taught about how to appreciate art and literature. I'm curious about presenting physics as art - bringing light to everyday phenomena, so we get a chance to re-appreciate them. I'm thinking of clouds, rain, water, fire, wind etc...
Came about a Reddit comment suggesting reading Goethe's Faust, which may take a couple years to understand ... but I'm curious.
Other suggestions on how you may go about doing so would are welcome!
Well anthropology is undoubtedly a firmly established scientific discipline. I would say it is impossible to do anthropology without including art to one degree or another. Art is so firmly rooted in the human experience.
I think we’ve been conditioned to think of science as a linear, non-abstract process of individuals pursuing truth-certainly most people in my department at college felt this way-and the subjectivity of art perturbs that way of thinking. Understating art in this way, as an extremely radical form of empathy, has certainly made me a better scientist (and human).
I would only like to remark that the concept of may seem like a very subjective one, specially when one is not defining the involved terms. However, when one looks at particular examples, ART is DEFINITELY NOT subjective. Is painting subjective? Is playing an instrument subjective? NO. It is very important to keep this in mind. These activities are very rational and very technical. I am a mathematician and I do not say mathematics is subjective just because there are crucial elements in the process of doing math such as creativity and imagination. Why? Because these aspects are limited and bounded by rationality and the mathematical rules.
Aer well mathematics follows logical progression of course, but that does not mean the subject is objective by any means. the subject relies on an axiomatic base that must be chosen, the construction of mathematical objects is often ambiguous or performed to motivate specific outcomes, and the filter of humanity is one that affects all sciences. to draw a stark distinction between pursuits as either objective or subjective ignores the context of how the subject is being talked about. Similarly, art is objective insofar as you can look at a piece through a specific set of values, but the set of values one uses is subjective, so just as before, context is important.
At 7:32 it made me happy when he said "a link the past" and put a picture of Zelda referencing the game
Imagine being a talented musician in an orchestra and then when hired for Chicken Run you get handed a *kazoo*
I did not expect to laugh as hard as I did seeing members of the orchestra, dignified in all their finery, blowing on bright plastic kazoos. God I love Chicken Run.
EDIT: Also, don't think I didn't catch that extremely subtle "The Wrong Trousers" visual gag around 4:40. Very well done.
"I don't want to be a pie!" is a phrase that's stuck with me ever since seeing the movie.
"I don't like the gravy"😊
"Now I'm just a scientist- turned-professional nerd" (I didn't know people could be professional nerds!)
I didn't know that when I woke up this morning, that I would need this.
Amazing. I quote Babs probably three times a week. What a film.
I'm a little upset this isn't a 3 hour essay honestly this was very interesting.
I agree. He inferred an important reference to art . Great
The one conversation that sums up why I love chicken run:
“Is this the time we panic now”
“No”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes”
“EVERYONE PANIC!”
Whenever my family sorts through legos, I always say "I told you, they were organized." What a great movie!
When I was 8 or 9, my best friend at the time's dad was one of the clay sculptors for chicken run. We were living in Bristol at the time. He came into our school and did a whole lesson on how to make the chickens with us. It was such a cool thing! I remember just feeling so close to the film.
"to create art, in my opinion, is to be human. It externalizes an internal feeling or concept for others to experience."
-Simon Clark
I'll be quoting that a ton, thank you.
Chicken Run will always be my favourite film. Second is Flushed Away. Absolute bangers
I watched this movie a lot when I was a kid. When I rewatched it lately as a grown up, I realized that I unconsciously based my whole personality on every character of this movie. I’m quite proud of it.
It is based, so ...
I also feel like we need to talk about how Ginger and Rocky, two CHICKENS, have a better on screen relationship, better chemistry, better relationship dynamic and relationship build up, than many couples in "real" movies
Ah, Rocky and Ginger are one of my favourite fictional pairings too. The relationship between Rocky and Ginger might not always picture perfect but nicely developed nonetheless. I personally like on how the way Rocky developed into a more loyal, more honest, and more selfless character after he met Ginger. Then, I also could see that Ginger seems to developed into a more forgiving character and be more able to tone down her harsh tendency after she met Rocky.
Ardman always has a special place in my heart in terms of claymations. Chicken Run and Wallace and Gromit in particular!
My parents took me to see it when it was in theaters and I was only 3 months old. When it came out on DVD, I watched it repeatedly as a toddler, kid, and even teen. Now, at 20 years old, I love it even more. I'm so happy you reviewed this movie, proving how it's not just my nostalgia talking when I say it's phenomenal. It is literally my life movie, and I loved learning more about it's origin and the kazoos and the parallels and just why it's such a good film. Thank you @Simon Clark! You video means more to me than you know.
Any film that includes the line ‘I don’t want to be a pie’ deserves to be classed as the best film ever
I don't like gravy
Me before: This is going to be a late April Fools joke.
Me after: He probably actually likes the movie, lol.
Why wouldn't he, it's a great movie. I probably wouldn't call it best movie ever myself but it is good
It’s genuinely fantastic
The way you wrote this makes it seem like you don't like it. Now tell me, why is that?
@@cathacker13 I do enjoy it, it was one of my childhood favorites. However it was such a random movie that Simon picked, I assumed it was parody.
One of my favorite parts of watching a TH-camr I love is when they suddenly release a video that has little or nothing to do with their typical genre purely because they are passionate about it. It is clear from your affect and tone that you thoroughly enjoyed making this, and I can’t wait to see future videos where you further manifest these passions!
When I was little I owned the PS1 game based on this movie and I played it constantly. The nostalgia hits pretty hard and I can't believe it's been 20 years. Thanks for the great memories :)
As a Belgian, it’s the first film I remember to be dubbed in Flemish, instead of Dutch. (same language, different country and accent). What’s more, all the chickens were given different flemish accents. The slow chicken spoke “Limburgs”, the rooster spoke “Antwerps”. Their personalities reflecting all the cliche’s about people speaking those particular dialects. That, and the simple fact that it’s a fantastic film, made me remember it fondly.
Gosh this was good! At high school we watched Chicken Run at least twice a year - in a range of classes. I have no idea why, maybe it was one of the only videos they had, but I've always loved it since.
This movie TERRIFIED me when I was young but I couldn't stop watching it. Great video Simon!
Glad you made mention of the music, it's one of my favorite parts of the movie, and it really is wonderful.
How do you feel about Netflix announcing they are making a sequel?
No. You cant be serious?
I have no interest because Mel Gibson and Julia Sawalha aren’t involved
@@danielwatson2701 same
Where did you get this information from?
@@danielwatson2701 yeah but lynn ferguson is gonna voice mac so that’s a plus
I used to watch this movie on repeat as a child. Ah good times.
EDIT: Well after watching this video, I see that this movie was a lot deeper and technically impressive than what I remembered haha.
Im so happy this exists and I will now go on to share it. The first time I watched chicken run was on a weekend away with my music society just a few months after moving to the uk, good memories.
Growing up in Texas I watched a lot of Aardman films, Chicken Run was a particular family favorite; I think to some degree these movies charmed me more than Disney's. With many other forms of animation, it is easy to forget that someone created it, especially for a child. Some animations are so clean and perfect, but claymation is different. Even before I understood how difficult filmmaking of anysort was, I could look at the thumbprints of the animators and sense a special something, that human element... someone worked hard to give these figures life. All of this inspiration culminated into making me who I am today... a real life claymation person.
Or so I have been told. Perhaps it is my pasty skin, dark eyes and delicate eyebrows that bring about this aesthetic, or perhaps I am indeed related to good ol' Wallace. We're still waiting on the paternity test.
Love this new format! Your enthusiasm is so palpable and I think you do a great job of film analysis (for a scientist)! ;-) JK! Despite the hyperbole, this is a really fun and accessible overview of why Chicken Run and Aardman's other work are so good! I also really like the B roll/interstitials utilizing the eggs and cooking ingredients that you end up making a cake with to celebrate the film''s anniversary. It's a nice touch that the video reflects the breezy, silly style of the movie, while also getting deep there at the end with your discussion about the purpose of art.
One small nitpick: While Aardman started out doing claymation, at some they started incorporating materials other than clay into their models, so stop-motion animation is probably more accurate than claymation to describe this film. According to IMDB "The characters' bodies were made of silicone with latex covering, while the heads and hands (or wings) were plasticene. All the chicken characters have collars and ruffles to hide the disparity between the modeling clay heads and wings and the latex-covered bodies." Adam Savage talks to a couple of Aardman artists about the construction of their amazing puppets in this episode of Tested: th-cam.com/video/l3pPfq6hjLA/w-d-xo.html
Also, in case you missed it, they just announced a sequel! variety.com/2020/film/global/netflix-chicken-run-sequel-aardman-animation-1234645463/
Ah yes you are quite right! So not technically claymation, but obviously uses a lot of the same techniques as their previous shorts. At least I correctly identified the clay heads haha
Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
I honestly felt embarrassed by the pedantry of the correction after commenting, but it gave me an excuse to share some nerdy details that I figured you'd actually enjoy, so decided to leave it. Thanks for hearing me out and know that the video is a delight. Can't wait to share with my boyfriend tomorrow!
Rewatching the video, the Pirates-like music queue in Chicken Run got me curious. I had a hunch which a quick Google search confirmed: John Powell worked for Hans Zimmer for years, so there's a good chance that he had some hand in the Pirates of the Caribbean theme or he wrote something similar while working for Hans (which Zimmer would then own) that could have served as inspiration. The Pirates score was reportedly written in 19 days (which is insane), so it was probably an all-hands-on-deck situation that included even more people than are given additional writing credits. I have a friend that's done uncredited writing for big composers in situations just like this.
P.S. The boyfriend loved the video and wholeheartedly agrees with your assessment of this film importance!
There is a film music TH-camr called “Sideways” that has published a video that draws comparisons between pieces/songs/film music that were inspired by other (previous) works. It also shows how “He’s a Pirate” has taken some features from the movie Lion King 2 (1998) with the piece “Fire! Kovu to the rescue”. Considering that “Chicken Run” was published two years later in 2000 and “Pirates of the Caribbean” even after that, I would conclude that this detail was originally inspired by the Lion King 2. If this itself is inspired by another work, feel free to point this out! If you want to check out Sideways’ video: th-cam.com/video/gDpvVmp4_Yo/w-d-xo.html The Pirates is the Caribbean reference should start at 1:41 with “Parley” and 2:10 with “He’s a Pirate” (the corresponding piece it was based on appears afterwards each of them). And if you are generally interested in film music, I would highly recommend his channel! He has also analysed Powell’s other work on “How to train your dragon” which was an amazing video! :)
This video is produced so nicely !! The egg joke with the cake is so unique and i think you captured how so many people think of this movie perfectly. Chicken Run really is pure human spirit told in wacky story form. Rewatching this video a thousand times !! 🤙❤️
Really like the slightly coloured background in this Simon looks great!
Simon, that’s was amazing. It was perfectly pleasing.
This is one of my all-time favorite films, aside from being one of my favorite animated films. John Powell’s collaborations are always stellar, and I think this is probably the best of the lot. The kazoos are just inspired.
1:18 was my senior quote. And I don’t regret a thing about it either.
This was a great video! I love the pacing and the egg chapter titles. I'd love to see more videos like this from you :)
The level of details in the props like the chicken coops are insane..
I re-watched it a couple of months ago, and thought “I didn’t remember it being *this* good”
Dude, this is absolutely FANTASTIC!!!!! I love what you said about the music--i've always liked the bit with the kazoos--but I LOOOOOVE what you said about art! "We need art for our souls just like we need food for our bodies; it is a mirror and a window..." THAT'S PHENOMENAL.
I always was fascinated by this movie. Since I was a kid, I enjoyied the músic, the fotography, the characters, it's really an great movie. I've watched It a couple of times, and now I wanna watch It again, now in English (I've only watched It in portuguese, my native language)
@@stewartoneill8419 hehe I remmember that I didn't understand some of the jokes. If you wanted, I can watch it someday in English and leave my thoughts on this matter here on the comments.
Chicken Run was the first film I remember my family owning on DVD, it has a special place in my heart, thanks for showing me its well worth a re-watch
Chicken Run has always been one of my favorite movies of all time. I love every part of it. It’s so goofy while being so profound and artsy. Also I’d totally die for a Babbs plushie.
I now need to listen to the Chicken Run soundtrack - this was such a good video Simon!
Best quote is still "Those chickens are up to something"
Make more please this was so great! Keep it up!
I’m so glad to see somebody else with massive appreciation for this film!! I’ve always had such a soft spot for it
Now this is the content I need
This is probably the most epic video of someone baking a cake, and I love every second of it.
Yes, goddamn. I rewatch this movie at least every other year, probably. The theme you opened with randomly pops into my head all the time.
Phenomenal. Keep videos like this coming. Just saying, trying to find a movie to top Chicken Run is gonna be near impossible, but if anyone is gonna find one, it’s a scientist
What a lovely trip back to when I was nine and watched the Dvd so much it stopped working!
Thank you
I remember sorta liking it as a kid. And then 10+ years later when I was working as a camp counselor I put it on for the kids on a rainy day, and I was like omg I never realized how incredible this movie is
YES PLEASE DO MORE FILM THIS WAS AMAZINGGGG
I’ve never mat you before but because of this video I will always stand by you
This was a beautiful video. I'm surprised to find myself really moved. You made some brilliant points about art and a few about life too. Wow. It's almost irritating how good that was.
Finally the video I needed all my life 😭
(sees Chicken Run)
Everyone liked that.
I remember watching it at the cinema as a child and being absolutely terrified... and I never watched it since but now I so desperately want to 😂😂 great video
Never thought I would add a Simon Clark video to my "art" playlist
LOVE this as content ideas. Can't wait to see more!
it was my favourite movie as a child when everyone would think, like you said, the story is metal af lol. It's still my favourite movie. Btw loved this video and left me wanting more. I would recommend making them a little bit longer cause I felt this was too short (maybe because I love Chicken Run)
There's no other film where I can picture what was on screen for almost every part of the soundtrack. It's really impressive how memorable the film and the soundtrack is.
I remember this as one of the first movies I ever watched (along with Bugs life, also v high quality), this video is obviously a sign I need to rewatch!
Such a clever video, showing the pie-making process along the way and using the eggs as chapters.
It warms my heart to know that someone feels as strongly as I do about Chicken Run. Thank you Simon for putting my feelings into words!
I remember being a young teen reading about this film, knowing it wasn't coming out for over a year, and that feeling like an impossibly long time to wait. Wow, 20 years. And it still holds up!
I loved the shorts in the shorts, great work
I had no idea how much I needed this is my life.
Bravo! Great video! Chicken Run is my favorite film ever, and I am kinda obsessed with it. As you can imagine, I loved your video and really appreciate it!^^
I shared it on my blog, hope you don't mind!
You mention The great escape and you need to watch Stalag 17 too!!
I love your boldness
Fine...
I'll watch it.
I was in 1st year high school when it premiered.
3rd year high school when the DVD was released on Greenland. Still remember saying "no" to movie night, because I was prepping for exams.
Kinda forgot about it since then.
I remember crying whilst watching it
i literally cannot believe i watched this 20 years ago... i feel old.
Yes. I loved it as a child, and I had chicken run bedding (!!) and as I got older I grew to love the soundtrack as it was great for when I was revising at uni! Now I have a video I can share with people when I tell them Chicken Run is my favourite film!
My favorite part about this movie was the WWII parallel. The details in the chicken "concentration camp" from the rows of huts to hiding things under the floor boards or the actual British phrases used at the time like "Overpaid, oversexed, and over here." Chef kiss.
Simon you are a genius !!
Please make more videos like this.
With this one video alone, you have my subscription