This film is part of Free

The United Kingdom
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
Overview
With the ink drying on the Maastricht Treaty, animators across Europe were commissioned to make cartoon calling cards for their respective countries under the title βKnow Your Europeansβ. Britainβs first animated Oscar winner Bob Godfrey, best known for his work on Roobarb and Henryβs Cat, was chosen to make the UK entry, which he handles with a typical mix of irreverence, ingenuity and humour. Long-term collaborator Colin Pearson contributes the lyrics, with Chris βRed Dwarfβ Barrie the voice.
The film was co-produced by Halas & Batchelor, with the Hungarian-born, naturalised Brit, John Halas the main utopian spark behind the project. Eurosceptics might not be surprised that the project fell somewhat short of its original ambitions, and this UK effort was one of the few films completed.
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 β 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
Donβt tell the Spotty man but Superted has a new friend. A stop motion predecessor of the superhero teddy idea

Bunty the Bouncing Bassoon Bunty the Bouncing Bassoon
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1963 6 mins
Warning! If you step into the Merry Music Shop then this singalong cartoon is an animated earworm in waiting!

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

CHECK PLEASE CHECK PLEASE
Action and Adventure 2024 10 mins
Dinner for two turns deadly as a couple fight over who pays.

Over There Over There
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2024 4 mins
A jobless woman sells her body to enter the digital world and seemingly thrive, but soon she discovers something unsettling about her new existence.

Red Lace Red Lace
Thriller 2024 11 mins
A young man enters a mysterious bakery where he must complete a rite of initiation to join a strange community of cake lovers.

Unrecognized Character Detected Unrecognized Character Detected
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2024 9 mins
Two alien organisms engage in a playful conflict across diverse territories, but all may not be as it seems.

Heavy Heavy
Drama 2024 6 mins
A trip to the local supermarket for sanitary products turns awkward for a daughter and her father.

REBIRTH REBIRTH
Drama 2023 4 mins Silent
A once vibrant neighbourhood descends into chaos after a tragedy in the community.