Jabberwocky (1971) Review

Animation is, so far, the only way of breathing life into inanimate things. Children’s games work with the same magic. This kind of magic is the point where childhood and animation intersect with each other. - Jan Svankmajer

Anyone who loves literature, fantasy books, or even childhood fairy tales has come across Lewis Carroll’s "The Jabberwocky" at some point in their lives. It is a strange poem featured in that talks about the slaying of a dragon called the Jabberwock. Carroll’s piece consists of wordplay, gibberish, and rhyme. Phrases like “O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!” are so odd to the point we enjoy even trying to say them. Because Carroll’s poem consists of words that familiar and unfamiliar, "The Jabberwocky" remains to be a celebrated nonsensical piece, as well as the inspiration for Jan Svankmajer’s 1971 short film The Czech surrealist animator is no stranger when it comes to adapting Lewis Carroll’s work, considering his darker approach to Alice in Wonderland with his feature-length film, , which he made years later. Though the short film doesn’t have anything to do with the poem other than reciting it, it is Svankmajer’s wildly magical and darkly whimsical experimentation with stop-motion animation. After starting with fast edits of an adult hand smacking a child on the behind, we hear a child’s voice reciting Carroll's poem. A red door speedily glides through a small forest. Inside is a child’s room covered corner to corner with all kinds of toys and dolls, not to mention a photo of a patriarchal figure lurking in the background. After the poem ends, a little boy's sailor suit appears out of a wardrobe. We get a series of fantastical, turned gruesome vignettes unfold as dolls, toys, and objects alike play familiar and unfamiliar archetypes.

Svankmajer uses various stop-motion techniques as he explores his traditional themes of childhood, imagination, and the rigidity of adulthood that stifles them. Each “segment” begins with enough childlike wonder to make you think that what you are watching is a fairytale. The sailor suit acts like a charismatic ringleader in the middle of all the action in this seemingly innocent circus. It tips its hat, flies gracefully around the room, and has suave dance moves that will make anybody smile with delight. But those who are familiar with Svankmajer’s filmography know there’s always going to be a poignant, darker side to everything that appears. Red apples look delicious, but are filled with worms. A family of porcelain dolls acts like cannibals, cooking and devouring other doll parts. A wooden jackknife gives a remarkable dance performance, only to impale herself at the end of it. All these violent instances happen so fast before we get a chance to breathe or blink. Excitement turns into anxiety within seconds thanks to Svakmajer's rapid edit cuts. And all to the backdrop of operatic lullaby music! Jabberwocky is no fairytale. It is both a dream and a nightmare. 

As adorable as the playsuit is, I couldn’t ignore the black cat and the man in the photograph because both of these characters love to ruin the fun. The cat’s live-action appearance signifies the end of a particular “segment” by destroying the maze made of blocks whenever the line hits a dead end, but also has no problem letting you know how badly you failed at completing a task. The more it appears, the funnier it gets because you know what to expect the next time. Meanwhile, the old man in the photograph can be any parental or authoritative figure you find yourself answering to. His no-nonsense presence is felt throughout the film with numerous close-up shots of his serious face. But that doesn't stop these rambunctious items from ignoring or vandalizing it! There's a funny scene where the pencil line frees itself from the maze and draws all over the photo as sheets of paper turn themselves into birds and fly out the window.

And just when we think the playsuit and his band of toys have the last laugh, we go back to the wardrobe to find a business suit hung up; the adventurous playsuit is discarded. Playtime is officially over. Just like the child getting a spanking during the opening credits, everyone is punished, including the feisty cat who gets locked up in a tight cage. Svankmajer's short film is not a children's film. Adults may question its content but will be able to comprehend its themes. Svankmajer captures the magic of childhood, the horrors we see as we get into adulthood, and everything in between. Though not an adaptation of the poem, fans of Lewis Carroll can still appreciate this film just as much as fans of stop-motion animation will. Jan Svankmajer's Jabberwocky is a well-executed, experimental short filled with amazing textures, eye-catching movements, and mind-blowing animation skills done by a master who never lost touch with his inner child.