The creators of Wallace & Gromit shared one of the jokes they’re most proud of as well as the inherent ‘Britishness’ of the franchise after taking home two BAFTAs yesterday, Sunday February 16.
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl scored two awards at last night’s ceremony, one for Best Animated Film and the other for Best Children’s and Family Film. The latest instalment of the claymation franchise sees technology become a wedge between Wallace and Gromit after Wallace’s smart gnome, Norbot, appears to develop a mind of its own.
The animation premiered on the BBC on Christmas Day 2024 to great acclaim from audiences and critics, receiving an audience rating of 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 100% rating from critics.
Winning the first award for Best Children’s and Family film, creator Nick Park said: “It’s such a wonderful privilege to be working at Aardman every day with such obscenely talented artists and crafts people so passionate about creativity and we’re so lucky to have our fabulous cast.”
Speaking to press backstage, director Merlin Crossingham shared his feelings on the film’s success across the Atlantic, despite the story and script being rooted in UK culture.
“It is remarkable that our very Britishness is embraced in America,” he said.
Crossingham used one of the jokes he’s “very proud of” to highlight this, referring to the TV presenter in Vengeance Most Fowl who is called Anton Deck, a reference to Geordie duo Ant & Dec.
“There are some jokes, like Anton Deck, which are very British,” he said. “In the American screenings, there was complete silence apart from one Brit guffawing in the corner.
“But we’re very proud of that, we stick to our guns. Apart from one or two very specific gags like that, it seems to be embraced.
“And even if they’re laughing at us, not with us, if they’re laughing, we’re still happy about that.”
It seems Crossingham isn’t the only proud of these British jokes. The BBC’s chief content officer, Charlotte Moore highlighted the “uniquely British” film, saying: “Huge congratulations to Nick, Merlin and the Aardman team for their richly deserved double Bafta Film Award win for Vengeance Most Fowl.”
“Wallace and Gromit’s latest adventure has proven itself to be a uniquely British success story. Norbot had better get building a new awards cabinet!”