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Wallace and Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death

Editorial Review

Editorial Review

A Matter of Loaf and Death is the latest television short starring animation archetypes Wallace and his pet dog Gromit. It's the first Wallace and Gromit project since the feature film The Curse of the Were-Rabbit and the first short since the mid-'90s.

The storyline follows Wallace and Gromit in a mock murder-mystery. After starting a new bakery with Wallace, Gromit comes to learn that local bakers have been mysteriously disappearing. Meanwhile, Wallace finds a new love interest in television personality Piella Bakewell - who happens to be Wallace's dream girl. Gromit soon become suspicious of Piella's motives and endeavours to save his love-blinded master.

It's been some time since this famous plasticine duo made headlines, and even though its production period was the fastest ever for a Wallace and Gromit short, by no means is its quality sacrificed. The title, A Matter of Loaf and Death, obviously parodies the 1946 David Niven film, yet, and as you'd expect, that's not where the parodies end. The short also cleverly references Aliens, Psycho and Ghost (yes you guessed it, the potter's wheel scene)... not to mention a plethora of bread-related puns for good measure.

This endearing duo have been around for nearly 20 years and although they've become rather inconspicuous to Australians, there is no denying that this is animation at its traditional finest. Take heed in the following warning though - you'll be reading everything in Wallace's voice for the day after.

A Matter of Loaf and Death premieres on ABC1 on Wednesday, December 3, at 8:30pm.

Brad Gray, November 2008

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