Directed by Tim Burton
Produced by Julie Hickson

Shelly Duvall
Daniel Stern
Barret Oliver
Joseph Maher
Roz Braverman
Paul Bartel

Filmed in Black and White
25 minutes Running Time

"You have a dog that you love, and the idea of keeping it alive was the impulse for the film" Tim Burton

Frankenweenie is the story of a young boy appropriately named Victor Frankenstein, played by Barret Oliver. Victor spends his time creating movies starring his much loved and very clever dog "Sparky".

Unfortunately, whilst playing ball, Sparky runs into the path of a car and dies. Young Victor is devastated and unable to accept the finality of his dog's death. He stares longingly from the window of his house at the rain outside, he is devastated.

At school in science class his teacher shows him how to make a dead frog move it's legs by use of electricity - Victor sees this reanimation of the dead as the answer to all of his problems. He will bring Sparky back to life!

Running home in breathless anticipation he experiments with Sparky's body in a fantastic elaborate home made laboratory, which includes his mother's toaster. He finally accomplishes his dream and is reunited with his much-loved pet. After a joyful reunion he hides Sparky from his parents (played by Shelley Duvall and Daniel Stern).

Although Sparky is alive, he is covered in wounds from the accident and it is impossible to let Sparky out to play; Sparky is oblivious to these problems and soon ventures outside unaware of his appearance, causing hilarious uproar with the neighbours.

Soon after his parents discover Sparky they themselves are not overjoyed to see him especially when they see the bolts in his neck. Due to his appearance they do not want to pet him as usual.

Victor's parents decide to call a neighbourly get together to re-introduce Sparky. However, when he runs through the room the neighbours are completely repulsed and horrified and vow to kill the unnatural monstrosity.

There is a violent chase through the streets where Sparky runs to hide in an abandoned mill that soon catches fire with Victor inside. Sparky rescues him before he himself dies. After witnessing the bravery of the dog and his actions the neighbours let go of their hatred.

Frankenweenie is a magnificent short film, an exquisite mixture of tragedy and comedy: a story that explores the sadness of death and the way in which children and sometimes adults find it difficult to accept losing a pet, and how we sometimes wish we had the power to change things.

In this case, there is a boy who does change things and the results are remarkable!

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