About
Animated movie Footrot Flats - The Dog's Tail Tale became the most successful Kiwi release of the 1980s. It also managed to win over viewers in Australia (where the animation work was handled). The adaptation of Murray Ball's beloved comic strip brought his beloved cast of animals to earthy life, alongside farmer Wal — voiced by John Clarke. Peter Rowley plays Dog. The opening clip served double duty as both movie trailer and music video for Dave Dobbyn's hook-laden 'Slice of Heaven'. It proved to be a key weapon in the film's Australian success. Tony Hiles writes about the movie's creation here.
Interview with co-writer Tom Scott, The Canberra Times (via Trove website), April 1987
Official website for the Footrot Flats comic strip
Obituary of Footrot Flats creator Murray Ball, The Guardian, March 2017
Dave Dobbyn on composing the Footrot Flats soundtrack, Rip It Up, January 1987
Dave Dobbyn on composing song 'Slice of Heaven', The Dominion Post, September 2012
NZ Film Commission page for this film
Interview with producer John Barnett, Nga Taonga, November 2023
















































