The Birth of the Robot

This short film serves as a prestige advertisement for Shell Motor Oil, showcasing Len Lye's innovative approach to animation during an era dominated by Walt Disney. The film features amusing puppets created with the assistance of avant-garde collaborators like Humphrey Jennings and John Banting.

The Birth of the Robot explores complex color processes through the combination of three separate images, resulting in a vivid storm scene that garnered acclaim for its groundbreaking use of color in film. The inclusion of Holst’s The Planets adds an additional layer of depth to the viewing experience. As a piece of animation history, it reflects the creative shifts occurring in the industry during the 1930s.