Dick Deadeye, or Duty Done

A must see for all Gilbert and Sullivan freaks (it's on YouTube.) It recalls Yellow Submarine and other unconventional cartoons, but is quite in a league of its own. The animation and character designs are simultaneously hideous and gorgeous--I wish more animation looked like Dick Deadeye. The effort put into the backgrounds is especially admirable.

The plot almost doesn't matter. It's just an excuse to throw a bunch of G&S characters and songs together. You wouldn't think 70s-ified versions of these songs would sound good, but it's actually musical genius. We hear energetic funk, folk, reggae, you name it. For example, the John Wellington Wells song sounds like if Elton John wrote Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo. Some viewers might take issue with how much the writers altered Gilbert's original lyrics, but I think it keeps the film from being predictable.

I take some issue with the underrepresentation of Ruddigore and Princess Ida. The film tries to include a reference to each operetta, and does a good job considering, but the character of Rose Maybud is nothing like her original version. These are small nitpicks considering how much I love the film as a whole, though. I never thought adding so many boob jokes to Gilbert and Sullivan would work! The jokes take you by surprise with how good they are.

I enjoy Dick Deadeye much more than any Disney movie. If it hasn't had a DVD release, it needs one to reach a larger audience.

Have always gotten a lot of enjoyment from Gilbert and Sullivan's work. Gilbert's lyric and dialogue writing tickles the funnybone constantly while also being layered and enhancing the storytelling, Sullivan's music is often sublime and the characters are colourful with the odd complex one.

'Dick Deadeye, or Duty Done' was a true delight. Of the three animated versions seen of Gilbert and Sullivan's work, it is by far the best. The others are a heavily abridged but interesting and well made 1960s version of 'Ruddigore' and 'The Gentlemen of Titipu' which is so bad and such a disgrace to the Gilbert and Sullivan name that it's not worth commenting on.

The film does drag a tad at the end, and also wouldn't have said no to more of 'Ruddigore' and 'Princess Ida' (neither among their best, but both undervalued, especially 'Ruddigore'). However, it entertains hugely, was clearly made with a lot of love and affection and will be a delight for fans and an interesting experience for anybody who's new to G&S or just getting into their work.

Gilbert and Sullivan's talent, even with the songs with modern lyrics being more based on their original work, shine immensely here and it felt like a very affectionate tribute, which was appropriate considering that it was a centenary commemoration. The writing is witty, charming, sometimes insightful and layered, and never less than very funny and often hilarious. Even with some updated treatment with some modern lyrics, the music is as sublime as ever and recognising highlights from several operettas was a huge part of the fun as well as recognising the included characters. It's beautifully performed too all round.

Some may say that the story is cobbled together and feels more an excuse of stringing highlights and scenes together. That is true, but in this case it doesn't matter because the characters (still colourful and interesting), music and writing are so good and the story is cohesive and compelling throughout. Plus Gilbert and Sullivan's operettas are not exactly seen for their stories, but more the characters, writing and music.

Lastly, the animation is very nicely done with the detail of the background art being especially noteworthy.

Overall, a delight for Gilbert and Sullivan fans. 8/10 Bethany Cox

For those who are interested, there exists an illustrated book of the movie. It was published by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc. It is probably now out of print, but might be found in some library collections. It incorporated original designs by Ronald Searle on the inside covers, and character drawings by Bill Melendez Productions. Gilbert and Sullivan lovers will find all the words to many of their favorite songs which were used in the movie, with additional lyrics by Robin Miller. Text was by Jeremy Hornsby, while the original story (of the movie) was by Leo Rost. Interestingly the copyright is by Ronald Searle, dated 1975.

Dick Deadeye is an incomprehensible jumble of disconnected story ideas and popified Gilbert & Sullivan songs with poorly rewritten lyrics. And according to IMDB users, it's absolutely terrific.

The only explanation I have is that the reviewers saw this as children and developed an eternal fondness for it. Children are less concerned by things like coherent storytelling and wit and more likely to be drawn in by speed and noise, which Dick Deadeye has in abundance.

The visual design by Searle is pretty nice, but there's little else to recommend this.

Found out about this from the Gilbert and Sullivan page on Facebook, and saw it on YouTube. It lies buried and almost forgotten - WHY??? If there's an entrepreneur out there out there who wants to bring culture and a refreshing breeze to British Animated excellence - GET THIS MASTERPIECE ON DVD NOW!!! Especially if you like Gilbert and Sullivan operas. And NO! I'm NOT going to tell you what the ultimate secret is - you'll have to watch this gem for yourselves.