[Blubatt]

Clearly not, a pic has JUST turned up and its a horse, a fox and wee boy..


www.bbc.com 

This Christmas, Charlie Mackesy’s internationally bestselling illustrated book The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse will be coming to BBC One and iPlayer in a beautiful animated short film.

Captivating audiences on the BBC this Christmas, the short film brings to life the magic of the original book – with Charlie Mackesy’s distinctive illustrations reimagined in full colour with hand-drawn traditional animation.

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse takes audiences of all ages on an extraordinary, poignant and heartfelt journey this festive season, as the deeply resonating story follows the unlikely friendship of a boy, a mole, a fox and a horse as they journey together in the boy’s search for home.

Breathing life into the book’s protagonists is an award-winning cast of actors including Tom Hollander as ‘the mole’, Idris Elba OBE as ‘the fox’, Gabriel Byrne as ‘the horse’ and newcomer Jude Coward Nicoll as ‘the boy’.

On bringing the project to screens, creator Charlie Mackesy says: “The journey of making the film of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse with my ridiculously talented and kind animation team has been a magical one. It’s so great to think the story will be in the nation's homes this Christmas – and I really hope it helps bring comfort, love and laughter.”

Charlotte Moore, BBC Chief Content Officer says: “Charlie Mackesy’s heart-warming and inspirational story brought to life through NoneMore Productions’ and Bad Robot Productions’ beautiful animation, is about the importance of love, kindness and friendship. It’s the perfect fit for Christmas on the BBC and a reminder to us all about what really matters in this world."

A Matthew Freud production of a Charlie Mackesy film, produced by Cara Speller of NoneMore Productions and J.J. Abrams and Hannah Minghella of Bad Robot Productions. Co-directed by Charlie Mackesy and Peter Baynton, the film is adapted from the original book in collaboration with Jon Croker. Original score by composer Isobel Waller-Bridge, performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra and conducted by Geoff Alexander.

The film has been acquired by Charlotte Moore, BBC Chief Content Officer and Ayela Butt, BBC Drama Commissioning Executive.

Freuds PR

Well this is a welcome surprise. a 2D traditional animate short film. I do hope the idents are based off of this, as it will be something that BBC One has not done: a 2D animated ident.

[Argyess]

I do hope we get something new from BBC Two this Christmas. Three of their festive idents have been in use for four years now. The versatility of the Curve And Swirl package means there's plenty of other good possibilities for a new Christmas ident.

[JMT1985]

I was told by someone who works at the BBC that BBC 2 Christmas idents are treating as unnecessary, and the main goal is to have new Christmas idents for BBC One every year, and not annual new Christmas idents on BBC 2.

BBC 2 have form in reusing Christmas presentation for a good long time. I think if my memory serves me right, they reused their 2007 Christmas idents in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

[Argyess]

It's certainly true that BBC Two have a habit of recycling their Christmas idents. Up until 2001, they did have a new one each year. In the last two decades, the only years they've had a completely new set (without any old ones showing alongside) were 2007, 2011 and 2018.

[fanoftv]

Whilst I like that BBC One keeps with the old tradition of a new ident/set of idents each year (bar 2003), it’s a shame that the other channels are not given the same treatment. If they wish to keep with the collection of Christmas curves I’d love to see them add one or two new idents a year to help to keep them fresh.

On the subject of BBC One Christmas idents, I’m unsure whether this has been discussed before but on this page - www.bbc.com  there is a collection of festive idents from over the years.

BBC Christmas Idents - History of the BBC
40 years of Christmas idents on BBC One and BBC Two
  Source: www.bbc.com

[Alessi]

The horse animation looks beautiful, it would be nice if they have based their idents around it.

[Tvfanboy]

Whilst I like that BBC One keeps with the old tradition of a new ident/set of idents each year (bar 2003), it’s a shame that the other channels are not given the same treatment. If they wish to keep with the collection of Christmas curves I’d love to see them add one or two new idents a year to help to keep them fresh.

On the subject of BBC One Christmas idents, I’m unsure whether this has been discussed before but on this page - www.bbc.com  there is a collection of festive idents from over the years.

If I remember correctly was the bbc one ident with the kids on space hoppers a blue Peter competition

[fanoftv]

If I remember correctly was the bbc one ident with the kids on space hoppers a blue Peter competition

I think you’re right, that was the 2004 ident.
2002 & 2003 both used the children as snowflakes ident. 
youtu.be 

[rick]

The BBC will be switching to Christmas presentation next Friday, 2nd Dec.

twitter.com 

[JMT1985]

I had a feeling it would be on this Friday 2nd December, as Strictly Come Dancing's main show is moved there for that week due to the World Cup, perfect moment to start the Christmas presentation.