The Periwig-Maker (2000)

Europe; the plague years. A wigmaker, locked in his shop, observes the events and writes about them in his journal. Mostly, we see shrouded bodies, and a young girl who lives in the tavern ... See full summary »

Director:

Steffen Schäffler

Writers:

Daniel Defoe (book), Annette Schäffler,

Stars:

Kenneth Branagh, Daren C. Evans, Alice Fairhall

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 16 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Kenneth Branagh	...	Periwig-maker (voice)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Daren C. Evans	...	(voice)
Alice Fairhall	...	(voice)
Roger Law	...	(voice)

Storyline

Europe; the plague years. A wigmaker, locked in his shop, observes the events and writes about them in his journal. Mostly, we see shrouded bodies, and a young girl who lives in the tavern across the way that gets progressively sicker. When she dies, the wigmaker goes to the mass grave where she's buried and cuts off her luxurious red hair; he makes himself a wig from it, and soon dies.

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Plot Keywords:

plague | london england | locked door | narrative | death | 

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Genres:

Short | Animation | Drama

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Details

Country:

Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 October 2000 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

A parókakészítő

Filming Locations:

Three Mills Studios, Three Mill Lane, Bow, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ideal Standard Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

15 min 15 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Crazy Credits

And it is a wonder what will be the fashion after the plague is done as to periwigs, for nobody will dare to buy any haire for fear of the infection - that it had been cut off of the heads of people dead of the plague. Samuel Pepys, 3.9.1665

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Connections

Edited into Short6 (2001)

User Reviews

Brilliant and unpleasant

THE PERIWIG-MAKER is a film about one of the many plagues that racked Europe. This one, I assume was Cholera, as the Black Death had attacked Europe in the 14th century and the film was set in the 17th century. Of course, with so many different plagues, it's really hard to say (as well as quite unnecessary). The film shows the perspective of a wig maker as he watches his neighbors drop off one by one. There is nothing sentimental about this film--instead, it just seems to be a straight and no holds barred retelling of events during this plague.

THE PERIWIG-MAKER is an amazing film to watch--it's animation style is beautiful and captivating even if the subject matter of the film is grim and unpleasant. It was nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Short Film but lost to the sentimental film, FATHER AND DAUGHTER. However, I would have voted for THE PERIWIG-MAKER simply because of its breathtaking animation as well as giving us a historical perspective on the plague. Hmmm....now that I think about it, considering how down-beat this short was as well as how REJECTED (the other nominee that year) were, I can see why the Academy voted as they did. I certainly don't agree with them, but can understand their logic.