John Bull

About This Movie

So, 'John Bull' from 1917 is this interesting little slice of animation that doubles as a piece of wartime propaganda. It’s all about the 7th War Loan, and you can see how animation was starting to embrace humor and expression, even in a serious context. The intertitles in verse form are quirky enough, and watching the character of John Bull contort into various grimaces as different war bonds are presented—it's striking, really. There's a certain rawness to the animation style, reflective of the era, and it feels more like an urgent call to action rather than just another cartoon. It’s a peculiar blend of art and message, one of those historical artifacts that showcases how cinema was used to shape public sentiment during the war.

This film is considered quite rare, primarily because of its age and the limited release during its time. There are not many surviving prints, which adds to its allure for collectors. The historical context of wartime propaganda paired with early animation techniques makes it a notable piece for enthusiasts of that era, and its scarcity only heightens the interest among those looking to delve into the early intersections of art and social messaging.