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Toys

This stop-motion animation takes a dark look into the war toys often given to children at Christmas time. Starting off as harmless objects, the toys quickly take on the gestures of real soldiers, mimicking the actions and penalties of a real war. This critical commentary on war and glamorized violence creates a real and frightening battle.
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This stop-motion animation takes a dark look into the war toys often given to children at Christmas time. Starting off as harmless objects, the toys quickly take on the gestures of real soldiers, mimicking the actions and penalties of a real war. This critical commentary on war and glamorized violence creates a real and frightening battle.

 This work contains scenes of violence. Viewer discretion is advised.
War, Conflict and Peace Children and Youth Psychology and Psychiatry All subjects
Outside the Box All channels
  • director
    Grant Munro
  • producer
    Grant Munro
  • script
    Margaret Wescott
  • camera
    Jean Roy
    Paul Leach
  • editing
    Roy Ayton
  • sound editing
    Karl Duplessis
  • re-recording
    Ron Alexander

Education

Ages 12 to 17
School subjects
Ethics and Religious Culture - Ethical Values
Useful in generating a class discussion around toys that glorify war. Comment on the children’s reactions as they are introduced to each of the toys in the window. Identify the filmmaker’s reason(s) for making this film. Hold a debate regarding the appropriateness of war toys and the possibility of advanced aggression as children grow older.

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