Now that you have read the story behind TTatC, here are 5 reasons to watch the version of the film that has been stitched together from existing footage as close to Richard Williams’ intentions. This version is called The Thief and the Cobbler: Recoblled Cut Mark 4 by Garret Gilchrist, which can be found here.
1.) The animation is ridiculous — in a great way! Considering that all of the animation is done by hand in singles not doubles (meaning there are 24 frames per second instead of the less expensive 12 frames per second), it has some of the most intricate designs I have ever seen…in my entire life!
2.) This may be an extension on animation, but it deserves just as much attention nonetheless. The amount of detail that was squished into virtually every single frame cannot go unnoticed. The amount of research that was done into Persian design is evident from the very beginning in the opening scenes.
3.) Even though my first viewing of the film was the Miramax version, I still fell immediately in love with Tack, and it may be my former emo-ness coming out, but I found him incredibly endearing and charming and oddly familiar in design and approach.
4.) I have to say one of my favorite things about this film is how untraditional it is in regards to its main characters. For one, the two title character do not speak throughout the film (with Tack’s closing line as the only adorable exception) and though a bit one dimensional, the moral of the story still lives in the resolution of their plot lines. Add to that the fact that the conflict between the Thief and Tack has nothing to do with either one of them having malice for the other, and you have an interesting basis for an intricate story.
5.) Even though the Mark 4 is still an incomplete version of the film, it is still a version to be appreciated particularly as animation addicts. It unintentionally shows the painstakingly loving process that is animated filmmaking. There are whole scenes that are finished and others that are not. It includes pencil tests and uncolored cells, but it is the full hearted dedication of it’s creators and underground fan base that really make this film sing.
