animate! image

The Nuclear Train

October 2003 (estimated) TV Episode animate!

Studio
animate!
Distributor
LUX, Channel Four

Synopsis

James and his family live by the railway tracks used to transport nuclear waste through the middle of London. Already disturbed, James begins to feel all his problems are related to the nuclear train and resolves to run away from home.

Once outside he enters a dreamscape city falling apart at the seams. He ends up on the waterfront in a fractured wasteland piled high with rubbish.

Full of guilt James uses junk to make a pair of prosthetic arms for his disabled daughter. But he soon begins to fear that his family may never join him on the scrap heap by the river.

The Nuclear Train combines video drama with animation to create a mutated world that reflects our fears about the future. It is perhaps a parable about what we should take with us and what we should leave behind.

Characters

James, Martha, Mary, Rever, Security Guards

Credits

Directing

Director
Daniel Saul

Producing

Producer
Jo Wiser (Live-Action Producer)

Writing

Writer
James Flint

Voices

Voice
Joe Duttine (James), Josephine Butler (Mary), Michaela Turner (Martha), Scott Woods (Rever), Rizwann Butt (Security Guard), James Flint (Security Guard), Hari Kunzru (Security Guard), Toby Saul (Security Guard)

Music

Music
Shane Cullinan

Crew

Director Of Photography
Simon Starling
Gaffer
Mitch Spooner
Production Designer
Sarah Lovett
First Assistant Director
Polly Nash
Runners
Dante Pertusini, John Hockridge
Additional Animation
Steve May
Sound Recording
John Arnold
Sound Designer
Graeme Miller
Thanks
Mariam Imani, Carol Salter
Primary Funding
Finetake, Arts Council England

Companies and other credits

  • Primary Funding: Channel 4