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Ruddigore

139 in x of animated feature film history Release: 1967 Country: United Kingdom Director: Joy Batchelor “Ruddigore is a heavily-abridged version of the Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera by the husband-and-wife animation team John Halas and Joy Batchelor. The D'Oyly Carte Opera Company supplied the soundtrack. 

For centuries, the Murgatroyd family––the Baronets of Ruddigore––have been under a witch's curse: they must either commit one crime each day, or die in agony. Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd, the rightful heir, has run away to live as an innocent peasant (named ‘Robin Oakapple’) in the Cornish village of Rederring, sticking his brother Despard with the curse. But on the very day that Robin is to marry sweet, beautiful Rose Maybud, Despard arrives and reveals the truth, forcing Robin to return to the throne. 

According to one of the cast members, more of the opera was recorded than made it into the film. Thus, it is theoretically possible that a master tape may be located someday, and with appropriate permissions, issued on CD.

According to Marc Kenig, a Gilbert and Sullivan archivist, ‘Halas and Batchelor wanted to actually do a full-length Pinafore, Pirates, or Mikado (all of which are more popular Gilbert and Sullivan operas). D'Oyly Carte Opera Company insisted on Ruddigore...since it was far less popular and not one of the money-makers.’”

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Ruddigore is available on YouTube.