Wallace and Gromit in 'A Matter of Loaf and Death' (TV 2008)

Wallace and his dog, Gromit, open a bakery and get tied up with a murder mystery. But, when Wallace falls in love Gromit is left to solve the case.

Director:

Nick Park

Writers:

Nick Park, Bob Baker

Stars:

Peter Sallis, Sally Lindsay, Melissa Collier

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Peter Sallis	...	Wallace (voice)
Sally Lindsay	...	Piella Bakewell (voice)
Melissa Collier	...	Fluffles (voice)
Sarah Laborde	...	Bake O Lite Singer (voice)

Storyline

Wallace and Gromit have a brand new business. The conversion of 62 West Wallaby Street is complete and impressive, the whole house is now a granary with ovens and robotic kneading arms. Huge mixing bowls are all over the place and everything is covered with a layer of flour. On the roof is a 'Wallace patent-pending' old-fashioned windmill. The transformation is perfect. Although business is booming, Gromit is concerned by the news that 12 local bakers have 'disappeared' this year - but Wallace isn't worried. He's too distracted and 'dough-eyed' in love with local beauty and bread enthusiast, Piella Bakewell, to be of much help. While they enjoy being the 'Toast of the Town', Gromit, with his master's life in jeopardy, must be the sleuth and solve the escalating murder mystery - in what quickly becomes a 'Matter of Loaf and Death'.

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Plot Keywords:

murder | wallace and gromit | baker | bakery | dog | 

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Genres:

Animation | Short | Comedy | Family

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 2008 (UK)

Also Known As:

A Matter of Loaf and Death

Filming Locations:

Bristol, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Aardman Animations

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The box of stuff that Fluffles moves into Wallace and Gromit's house includes, along with a lot of doggy culture, a small Bagpuss.

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Goofs

At one point when Piella picks Gromit off the chair, just before she accuses him of biting her, you see him from the back and his tail is missing - yet later in the film it has reappeared.

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Quotes

[Wallace and Gromit are in the baker's van]
Wallace: How's that breakfast coming on?
[Gromit presses a button on the car radio and a slice of cremated toast pops out from the cassette slot]
Wallace: Well done, lad.
[looks at the burnt toast]
Wallace: *Very* well done.

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Connections

Follows A Grand Day Out with Wallace and Gromit (1989)

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Soundtracks

"Unchained Melody"
(uncredited)
Written by Alex North and Hy Zaret
Performed by The Righteous Brothers

User Reviews

"Gromit, I have a bomb in my pants"

I do agree with the other commentators that it isn't quite as good as Wrong Trousers or Close Shave, but there is still plenty to enjoy here. I can see completely why it was the most watched Christmas programme on British Television. Technically, it is a wonder. Even after thirteen years, the claymation is so good. And there are plenty of visual jokes to delight even the fussiest adult or child, like Puppy Love by Doggy Osmond. I just have to mention the ending, it was hilarious, with Wallace shouting "Gromit I've got a bomb in my pants". It was so silly I couldn't help laughing, so much so my sides were really sore. Sally Lindsey was impressive as Piella Bakewell, and Peter Sallis still proves that at 87 he could still do a competent job as ever as Wallace. Gromit still delights with his priceless facial expressions, and the little dog was enough to make you go "awww!" The storyline was quite dark in tone, even more so than the predecessors, but the constant visual jokes kept my family entertained. If I had one quibble, it would be that the pace of the episode was a bit too fast, but overall this was hugely enjoyable. 9/10 Bethany Cox.