Oh'phelia: A Cartoon Burlesque

About This Movie

Oh'phelia: A Cartoon Burlesque is a curious piece in animation history. Anson Dyer’s cut-out style gives it a playful yet oddly haunting quality, almost like a Victorian shadow play. The pacing is brisk, fitting for its comedic take on Hamlet, but with a surprising emotional undercurrent. The characters, reduced to their most basic forms, still manage to convey a range of expressions, thanks to Dyer's clever use of movement. It's distinctive for its blend of humor and drama, a sort of theatrical nod that captures the absurdity of Shakespeare’s tragedy without losing the essence of its themes. Definitely one that showcases early animation experimentation with storytelling.

Released in 1919, a unique early animation effort.Features cut-out animation, distinctive for its time.Pioneering work by British animator Anson Dyer.Blends comedy with serious themes from Shakespeare.