Footrot Flats - 1986

Footrot Flats - 1986 On the Ball Productions - 72 min. DVD UPC #9315842027445; 9415600111796; 931584202743; 9343970004199 Blu-ray #9343970004205 Cast: Voices of: John Clarke, Peter Rowley, Rawiri Paratene, Fiona Samuel, Peter Hayden, Dorothy McKegg, Billy T. James, Brian sargent, Marshall Napier, Michael Haigh. Screenplay: Murray Ball, Tom Scott; Animation Director: Robert Smit; Backgrounds: Richard Zalowdek; Music: David Dobbyn; Sound Design: John McKay; Producers: John Barnett, Pat Cox; Director: Murray Ball. New Zealand's only animated, feature length film. Not just based upon Murray Ball's highly popular comic strip, but directed by him. For those familiar with the character, this film should entertain with new material. For those unfamiliar, it is a wonderfully animated introduction to Dog, Wal, and all the characters that inhabit their world. "Will Wal become an All Black? Will Cooch recover his stolen Stag? Will Dog win your hearts and funnybones?" Make sure you see this one. Censor Rating: PG - Review rating: B

AVAILABILITY OF VHS OR DVD COPIES

There are used NTSC VHS copies out there ( I have one), but alas they are no longer being sold. Reliable sources for new PAL VHS are found in NZ selling for about $10nz. Used PAL VHS copies can be occationally spotted at ebay and trademe.
R4 pal dvds are available from Australian sources for about $20au and New Zealand for about $20nz. It is presented in enhanced 1.78:1 widescreen, with DTS and Dolby digital 5.1 sound. Extras include: Audio commentary by Murray Ball & Tom Scott; Interview with Dave Dobbyn; A "Making of" featurette; Music videos of - 'Slice Of Heaven' - Dave with Herbs, 'Oughta Be Love' - Dave with Ardijah & 'Oughta Be In Love' - Dave/P.Money remix; plus photo stills gallery - character drawings and animation backgrounds. There are no subtitles in any language.
NOTE: The R4 DVD is being re-issued 01 December 2011. On the same date a Region B 1080p Blu-ray version is also scheduled for release. As of 16 October, the extras will be the same as those on the original Magna release, but further details are forthcoming.