Space Flight

Galaxies away from images of tar-addled lungs on cigarette packets, this film offers an unusual public health message about smoking. Set to rhyming couplets, the plasticine hero tries out to see if he has the right stuff to fly a rocket to Venus. There he battles the demon Nicotine, and (long before Avatar’) convinces Venusians to destroy their tobacco trees. Shot in 35mm by pioneering animator Fred O’Neill, Space Flight was made for theatrical release. For reasons unknown the Health Department, who commissioned it, didn't want the film to go on general release.

Dive upward like inverted gannet / To settle on some other planet.

– From the narration

Key Cast & Crew

Fred O'Neill

Director, Animator, Writer, Camera

James Harris

Editor, Commentary Writer

David Farquhar

Composer

Russell Duncan

Narrator