Sir Billi

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Sir Billi
SirBilli Poster.jpg
British theatrical release poster
Directed bySascha Hartmann
Written byTessa Hartmann
Based onSir Billi the Vet
by Tessa Hartmann
Produced bySascha Hartmann
Tessa Hartmann
Sean Connery
StarringSean Connery
Alan Cumming
Patrick Doyle
Kieron Elliott
Greg Hemphill
Ford Kiernan
Miriam Margolyes
Amy Sacco
Edited bySteven Weisberg
Music byPatrick Doyle
Shirley Bassey
Production
company
Billi Productions
Distributed byShoreline Entertainment
Release dates
Running time
80 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Budget£15 million
Box office$15,838

Sir Billi (also known as Guardian of the Highlands in the United States) is a 2012 British computer-animated adventure comedy film directed by Sascha Hartmann and written by his wife Tessa Hartmann, based on an original story they developed together.[1] The film stars the voices of Sean Connery, Alan Cumming, Patrick Doyle and Kieron Elliott.

It is also, alongside the 2012 documentary Ever to Excel, the final acting role for Sean Connery, who briefly came out of retirement to work on the film.[1] The film is Scotland's first CGI animated feature film.[2] The film is set in Inverness, Scotland and follows Sir Billi as he tries to help a rabbit run away from the police.

Plot[]

Sir William “Billi” Cedric is an old veterinarian, living on the outskirts of the Highlands in Scotland. Billi works and resides with Gordon, who is his talking pet goat, and others in the quaint small fictional Scottish town of Catterness.

A crash occurs in the Highlands, one night, as a truck of illegally-captive beavers crash in the middle of the road. The beavers fall out of their cages, roll down the mountain, and flee. The drivers catch most of the beavers, but one runs away. The escapee, who is named “Bessie”, escapes into the woods. As ordered by the Scottish Government, the captive animals are returned to Norway. McTavern, a cruel animal-control enforcer, starts posing as a police officer. McTavern watches over the Highlands, and hopes to capture Bessie himself.

Years pass, and Bessie is adopted by a family of rabbits in the Highlands. One day, Bessie and the rabbits have a tobogganing race. Bessie and one of the rabbits, Dave, approach a waterfall. Billi and Gordon are driving along with Billi’s grandson, Jake, and hear from another rabbit that Bessie and Dave are in danger. Billi drives to Catterness, and organises a deputation in the town square. Billi notices McTavern acting strangely, and begins questioning McTavern’s identity. Billi also states that Catterness is “his” town, and anyone doing anything wrong in the town will have him to answer to.

The group search around the mountains for Bessie and Dave, rescue a stranded rabbit, and soon spot Bessie and Dave approaching a dam. The Baron, despite his protests, accepts Billi’s instructions in switching off the turbines. The group rescue Bessie and Dave with a helicopter, before it breaks down. Gordon bungee-jumps down, catching Bessie, only to fall into the dam. Gordon is saved by Patti, the Baroness’ eccentric sister, who is powering the lifeboat. The crew try to get back safely, but are distracted by a submarine. Victoria, a wisecracking pilot duck, assists with the rescue. Billi and a few others save Gordon with a parachute, but Gordon is knocked out. Victoria spares a bottle of fresh water, which she thrown down from her plane, which manages to revive Gordon.

The Baroness hands Bessie over to good hands, but Mr. McTavish suddenly tricks the group into passing Bessie to him. McTavish makes off with Bessie, and hijacks Billi‘s rescue rover, causing Billi to give chase in his car across the Highlands. McTavish later attempts an arrest on Billi, before both of them are confronted by the actual police. McTavish’s actual identity is discovered, and McTavish is arrested for his wrongdoings. Bessie remains upset, as she is still not reunited with her family, but Billi promises to take care of her.

The heroes celebrate their victory at the Catterness Inn. Billi expresses his gratitude, and the rest of the heroes sing and dance in honour of “The Guardian of the Highlands”. Billi, revealed to possess a romantic interest in the Baroness, takes the Barroness for a drive through the Scotland sunset.

Voice cast[]

Critical response[]

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a rare approval rating of 0%, based on 8 reviews, with an average rating of 2.30/10.[3] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 17 out of 100, based on 4 critics, indicating "overwhelming dislike".[4]

The negative reaction to the film was widely reported in the British press.[5] Peter Debruge of Variety called it "woefully anaemic", criticising its "simplistic story and non-sequitur style". They also pointed out a few in-jokes referencing Connery's past role as James Bond, such as title sequence featuring a Shirley Bassey song that pastiches Bond themes.[6] Siobhan Synnot of The Scotsman called it "mirthless" and "rudimentary".[7] Russ Fischer of SlashFilm criticized it as an "ignominious" end to Connery's career, even compared to his previous film, the critically reviled The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.[8] Fred Patten of Flayrah called the CG "the ugliest that I have ever seen".[9] Journalist Lisa Summers was also harshly critical of both the CGI and the story.[10] F Bomb Movie Review felt it badly failed to connect with today's children.[11]

Despite the film's largely negative reception, AM FM Magazine said Sir Billi was well received on its premiere at the Sonoma International Film Festival.[12]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Ferguson, Brian (17 April 2012). "Fierce attack on Sir Sean Connery's final film, Sir Billi". The Scotsman. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  2. ^ Kay, Jeremy (3 October 2012). "Shoreline Entertainment acquires worldwide rights to Sir Billi". Screen Daily. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  3. ^ Sir Billi (2013), retrieved 23 January 2021
  4. ^ "Sir Billi (2012) reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  5. ^ Brown, Craig (1 September 2013). "Sean Connery cartoon film heads for DVD oblivion". The Scotsman. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
  6. ^ Debruge, Peter (15 April 2012). "Review: 'Sir Billi'". Variety. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  7. ^ Synnot, Siobhan (13 September 2013). "Film reviews: Rush | Sir Billi | White House Down". The Scotsman. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  8. ^ Fischer, Russ (24 June 2010). "WTF: Footage From Sean Connery's 'Sir Billi'". SlashFilm. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  9. ^ Patten, Fred (3 November 2012). "Can Sean Connery's voice save 'Sir Billi' from its own CGI?". Flayrah. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  10. ^ Summers, Lisa (15 April 2012). "SIFF – Sir Billi".
  11. ^ "Sir Billi (Review)". F Bomb Movie Review. 15 April 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  12. ^ Thompson, Christine (30 April 2012). "Sir Sean Connery's Sir Billi Well-received at the Sonoma International Film Festival". AM FM Magazine. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2013.

External links[]

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