Four unlikely friends embark on a fantastical journey of self-discovery and friendship in the wilderness. A film by Peter Baynton & Charlie Mackesy.
The Boy, the Mole,
the Fox and the Horse
Peter Baynton • Charlie Mackesy
(2022)
Lost in the winter wilderness, the Boy (Jude Coward Nicoll) searches for his way home. He encounters the kind Mole (Tom Hollander), who offers to join him on his journey. The Mole suggests the Boy should search for the river and follow it, explaining that it was an old saying passed down in his family.
When you’re lost, follow the river, and it will take you home.
A moment later, they come across a nearby river. However, they are undecided on which direction to follow: downstream or upstream. While they are contemplating, the sun is about to set on the horizon. Suddenly, they hear a strange noise, and decide to head back to rest on a giant tree located on the hill.
Nothing beats kindness, it sits quietly beyond all things.
The Fox (Idris Elba) emerges from the darkness and follows the Boy’s footsteps to the tree. The Fox, hungry, attempts to climb the tree. The Boy and the Mole, petrified, are unable to do anything but hide themselves in the tree’s branches. The fox fails to reach them, changes its mind, and retreats back into the dark forest.
Imagine how we’d be, if we were less afraid.
Later that night, the Boy and the Mole hear a whimper of pain pierce the darkness. They gather their courage and follow the cry to search for its source. There, they find the Fox stuck in hunter’s trap. Upon seeing the Mole, the Fox threatens to kill the Mole if it wasn’t caught in the snare. The Mole, however, counters that if the Fox stays in the snare, it’d eventually die. The Mole frees the Fox from the trap. The Fox then departs in shame.
One of our greatest freedoms is how we react to things.
The next morning, the Boy and the Mole travel back to the river. The Mole accidentally falls in, and the current quickly sweeps it downstream. The Fox reappears and dives into the river. Shocked, the Boy initially thinks the Fox is back to harm the Mole. But it turns out the Fox manages to snatch the Mole from the water, saving its life. The Boy and the Mole continue their journey, with the Fox following them at a distance.
To be honest, I often feel I’ve got nothing interesting to say.
The Boy, the Mole, and the Fox encounter the Horse (Gabriel Byrne), alone in the forest, separated from its herd. After the Horse listens to their story from the Mole, the Horse decides to join them on the journey to search for the Boy’s way back home.
Asking for help isn’t giving up. It’s refusing to give up.
Directed by Peter Baynton and Charlie Mackesy, with a screenplay by Jon Croke and Charlie Mackesy, ‘The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse’ is a visually stunning animated adaptation of “>Charlie Mackesy’s beloved children’s book. The film’s heartfelt storytelling and evocative imagery resonate deeply with audiences of all ages.
I love the watercolor technique used to emulate the scenery and the characters in the film, resembling the illustrations in the original picture book. As the narrative moves forward, we are invited to join them on their journey of this unlikely friendship between a young boy, a mole, a fox, and a horse. The thought-provoking dialogues keep the viewer engaged throughout the film, accompanied by the beautiful score composed by British composer Isobel Waller-Bridge.
You’re loved and important, and you bring to this world things that no one else can.
This film is an absolute gem. Every frame and detail is meticulously crafted, immersing us in its stunning visuals and masterful storytelling. It’s an instant classic animated film, perhaps even one of the greatest of all time.
Tears fall for a reason. And they’re your strength, not weakness.
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse premiered on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on 24 December 2022. The film was made available on Apple TV+ starting from 25 December.
Sometimes, I want to say “I love you, all.” But I find it difficult. So I say something like, “I’m glad we’re all here.”
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse was nominated for Best Animated Short Film at the 95th Academy Awards and won the award on 12 March 2023.
