Harvie Krumpet (2003)

Directed by Adam Elliot

Some are born great. Some achieve greatness. Some have greatness thrust upon themand then there are others

Thus we are welcomed into the life and world of Harvie Krumpet.

Born in Poland, the tale of Harvek Milos Krumpetzki, one of lifes underdogs is at times sad, tragic yet poignant and filled with an underlying humour and joy. 

Diagnosed with Tourette syndrome and educated at home by his somewhat nutty mother, Harvek wrote everything he learned in his book of FAKTS which he carries with him everywhere, even as an adult.

Tragedy strikes when his mother accidentally burns their house down then freezes to death with his father. Just as hes getting over this WWII starts and Harvek joins many other Polish migrants and heads for Australia. 

Once in Australia, he changes his name to Harvie Krumpet, the film then follows his life through being hit by lightning, having a metal plate stuck in his head, suffering from testicular cancer, marriage etc etc.

A twentytwo minute stop motion animation with a very different style to Wallace and Gromit, this is a wonderful film, bleak yet joyous, by far the best Ive seen from Adam Elliot and one Im sure hell find difficult to surpass.

A definite recommendation and if you get hold of the dvd, youll probably be singing God is better than football long after the film has finished.

Cheers Trev.

BBFC rating 12

Region 2 Pal dvd available from Metrodome Distribution. Also available on Region 1 ntsc.