Hamilton Mattress (2001)

Sludger the aardvark tries to make it big as a drummer in the big city.

Director:

Barry Purves (as Barry J.C. Purves)

Writers:

Anna Farthing, John Webster (characters)

Stars:

David Thewlis, Henry Goodman, Lindsay Duncan

5 wins.

Cast

Cast overview:
David Thewlis	...	Hamilton Mattress (voice)
Henry Goodman	...	Mr. Feldwick C. Hackenbush / Septimus (voice)
Lindsay Duncan	...	Beryl / Gertrude (voice)
William Hootkins	...	Senor Balustrade (voice)
David Holt	...	Salvatore / Tino (voice)
Roy Hudd	...	Birmingham (voice)
Maxine Peake	...	Lulu (voice)
Clive Hayward	...	Zakko (voice)
Susan Jane Tanner	...	Hannah (voice) (as Sue-Jane Tanner)
Sarah Lonton	...	Mummy Meercat (voice)
Amy Lonton Rawsthorne	...	Girl Meercat (voice)

Storyline

Hamilton Mattress tells the story of Sludger, an aardvark who is a natural drummer and wants the good life, including having decent trousers (he is OBSESSED with trousers!) Along comes Feldwick C. Hackenbush, a caterpillar who is obsessed with fame and fortune and sees Sludger as a potential target. Together they set off to Beak City where Sludger changes his name to Hamilton Mattress and sets out for fame...

---

Plot Keywords:

trousers | drummer | aardvark | caterpillar | stage name | 

---

Taglines:

It's aard work being an aardvark!

---

Genres:

Animation | Short | Adventure | Comedy | Family

---

Details

Official Sites:

Official promotional site.

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 2001 (UK)

Also Known As:

Hannikaisen patja

Company Credits

Production Co:

Harvest Films

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

Hamilton's Rap
Performed by JC 001

User Reviews

What's not to like?

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant! Not only is Hamilton Mattress very funny, but it teaches a great moral about your talent matters not your looks without preaching. The story is likable and original, about an aardvark seeking fame as a natural drummer, and the script is irreverent enough with the perfect balance of dry humour and zaniness. Hamilton Mattress certainly looks amazing, with lovely colourful backgrounds especially that of Beak City itself and character movements that are sharp and convincing. The music is memorable too, the sound effects are excellent , and the characters are fun; Sludger/Hamilton Mattress is both humorous and sensitive and I love that sort of character. Feldwick C. Hackenbush the caterpillar is also great fun, so are Beryl and Balaustrade but Sludger will always be my favourite of all. The voice work was outstanding; David Thewlis should seriously do more voice work, for he was perfect in the title role, he really comes alive. Henry Goodman is amusing as Feldwick, and Lindsay Duncan is lovely as Beryl and Gertrude. William Hootkins also deserves praise for his voice acting of Balaustrade, a villain who is sinister yet funny as well. All in all, this is brilliant, if you come across it, I guarantee you will love it. 10/10 Bethany Cox