Sir Billi

Sir Billi, also known as Guardian of the Highlands in the United States, is a 2012 Scottish computer-animated adventure comedy film. It was made by husband and wife Sascha Hartmann and Tessa Hartmann.[1] Directed by Sascha Hartmann, the film stars the voices of Sean Connery, Alan Cumming, Patrick Doyle and Kieron Elliott.

Sir Billi
Scottish theatrical release poster
Directed bySascha Hartmann
Produced bySascha Hartmann
Tessa Hartmann
Sean Connery
Written byTessa Hartmann
Based onSir Billi the Vet
by Tessa Hartmann
StarringSean Connery
Alan Cumming
Patrick Doyle
Kieron Elliott
Greg Hemphill
Ford Kiernan
Miriam Margolyes
Amy Sacco
Music byPatrick Doyle
Shirley Bassey
Edited bySteven Weisberg
Production
company
Billi Productions
Glasgow Animation
Distributed byShoreline Entertainment
Release date
  • 13 April 2012 (2012-04-13) (Sonoma Film Festival)
  • 2013 (2013)
Running time
80 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Budget£15 million

The film is Scotland's first CGI animated feature film.[2] Sascha directed the film from a screenplay written by his wife Tessa, based on an original story they developed together. It is also the final acting role for Sean Connery, who briefly came out of retirement to work on the film.[1]

Premise

The titular Sir Billi, an old, skateboarding veterinarian, goes above and beyond the call of responsibility fighting villainous policemen and strong lairds in a war to save an illegal fugitive—Bessie Boo the beaver.

Voice cast

Production and distribution

Sir Billi was produced by Glasgow-based Billi Productions, founded by the Hartmanns.[3] The film was in production for several years, with a 30-minute short film version completed in 2006, but it was expanded to 80 minutes.[4] The total budget was £15 million.[5]

The film premiered on 13 April 2012 at the Sonoma International Film Festival.[6][7] which is better known as a wine festival. Worldwide distribution rights were acquired by Shoreline Entertainment in October 2012.[2]

It was scheduled for a limited British release on September 13, 2013 at three cinemas, to be followed by a DVD release.[8]

The film was released in the United States under the alternative title Guardian of the Highlands,[9] which is also the name of the film's title song, sung by Dame Shirley Bassey.[10]

Critical response

The review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 0% approval rating with an average rating of 2.33/10 based on 6 reviews.[11]

The negative reaction to the film was widely reported in the British press.[8] 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.[12] Siobhan Synnot of The Scotsman called it "mirthless" and "rudimentary".[13] 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.[4] Fred Patten of Flayrah called the CG "the ugliest that I have ever seen".[14] Journalist Lisa Summers was also harshly critical of both the CGI and the story.[15] F Bomb Movie Review felt it badly failed to connect with today's children.[16]

Despite the film's universally negative reception, it was well received on its premiere in Sonoma.[17]

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References
  1. 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 Sean becomes skateboarder Sir Billi". The Glasgow Herald. 19 March 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  4. Fischer, Russ (24 June 2010). "WTF: Footage From Sean Connery's 'Sir Billi'". SlashFilm. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  5. Sterling, Ellen (23 April 2012). "A Triumphant Journey: Sir Billi Travels From Scotland to Sonoma". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  6. A. Fernandez, Jay (19 March 2012). "Sean Connery Animated Adventure 'Sir Billi' to Premiere at Sonoma Film Festival". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  7. "Connery film 'Sir Billi' premieres at Sonoma film festival". The Napa Valley Register. 21 March 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  8. Brown, Craig (1 September 2013). "Sean Connery cartoon film heads for DVD oblivion". The Scotsman. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
  9. Amidi, Amid (26 February 2014). "'Sir Billi' Retitled 'Guardian Of The Highlands' for U.S. Distribution". Cartoon Brew. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  10. Kemp, Stuart (17 November 2009). "Shirley Bassey, Sean Connery reunite". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 20 November 2009. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  11. "SIR BILLI". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  12. Debruge, Peter (15 April 2012). "Review: 'Sir Billi'". Variety. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  13. Synnot, Siobhan (13 September 2013). "Film reviews: Rush | Sir Billi | White House Down". The Scotsman. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  14. Patten, Fred (3 November 2012). "Can Sean Connery's voice save 'Sir Billi' from its own CGI?". Flayrah. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  15. Summers, Lisa (15 April 2012). "SIFF – Sir Billi".
  16. "Sir Billi (Review)". F Bomb Movie Review. 15 April 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  17. Thompson, Christine (30 April 2012). "SIR SEAN CONNERY'S SIR BILLI WELL-RECEIVED AT THE SONOMA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL". AM FM Magazine. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
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