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Home / The True Story of Sawney Beane - DVD

The True Story of Sawney Beane - DVD ONF/NFB


Catalogue Number:  NFB533937
Producer:  National Film Board Of Canada
Producers:  Katja Anderson, Michael Fukushima, Ken Anderson, David Verrall
Directors:  Elizabeth Hobbs
Producing Agencies:  National Film Board of Canada (Montreal), Office national du film du Canada (Montreal), Red Kite Animations Limited (Edinburgh, Scotland)
Subject:  Animation, Literature, World History
Language:  English
Country Of Origin:  Canada
Copyright Year:  2005
Running Time:  10:39
Closed Captions:  Yes


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In 16th-century Scotland, young Sawney Beane yearns to itch and scratch and buccaneer. So he bids farewell to his parents and their life of honest toil.

Forty years on, Mr. Beane croaks his dying wish to Betty, his wife. "Go and find our lost son." And so Betty strikes off on her quest across the land, with the family savings in a hankie and a secret suspicion in her heart.

The True Story of Sawney Beane reveals what really happened to the infamous Scottish cannibal. Not only was he the vilest felon in the kingdom of King James VI, he was also a son, beloved of Betty. The story, brought to life with charcoal and soft washes of colour, is written and animated by filmmaker Elizabeth Hobbs. It is narrated in actress Sheila Donald's rich brogue and scored by Normand Roger.

Technique: charcoal and watercolour on paper.


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