IN A NUTSHELL...

The Story: Ealing Studios is behind this ambitious animated feature, set during World War II and boasting a voice cast that includes Ewan McGregor, John Cleese, Jim Broadbent, and Ricky Gervais. Aims to do for pigeons what Chicken Run did for, er, chickens.
UK Box Office: £8.516 million (as at 2nd August 2005)
Useless Fact: Over 30 pigeons received the Dickin Medal (the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross) after delivering vital messages to the French Resistance during World War II.

VIDEO...

WATCH: Producer John H Williams on working with director Gary Chapman

WATCH: Producer Barnaby Thompson on why Valiant is the new Ealing Comedy

WATCH: Producer John H Williams on how his Shrek experiences helped Valiant

WATCH: Producer Barnaby Thompson on the challenges ahead for British animation

WATCH: Producer John H Williams on keeping costs down and future collaborations

WATCH: Producer Barnaby Thompson on making a CGI cartoon in Britain

THE REVIEWS...

"Delivers an unusual - but welcome - blend of modern, CG animation and old-fashioned British wartime cheer" (3/5)

"The film lacks the finely honed comedy writing of the best American animation, but does benefit from the improvisational skills of Ricky Gervais" (3/5)

"This is a disarmingly enjoyable movie with a lively cast of characters and an action-packed plot" (3.5/5)

"Younger children will probably enjoy Gervais' puffed-up Bugsy. But for older viewers this is generally as bland as birdseed" (2/5)

"Valiant is an amiable but doggedly old-fashioned affair" (2/5)

"A curious, mildly endearing affair featuring every possible bird joke you can think of"

"Valiant is decent entertainment without ever touching the heights of Nick Park's ingenuity" (3/5)

"The animation is nowhere near as pin-sharp as we've come to expect, while there's far too much reliance on fart-and-burp jokes" (3/5)

"Maybe Pixar and DreamWorks' cutting edge filmmaking has spoiled us but this doesn't look half as good as its transatlantic peers"

WEB WATCH...

Valiant
Official site

"I'd rather do a great television show than a poor film"
Ricky Gervais interview

"The Axis of Evil didn't want to touch Valiant"
Gary Chapman interview

On a wing and a prayer
Behind the scenes on Valiant

Brave Bird's Animated Adventure
The making of Valiant

Valiant effort
The making of Valiant