The Wizard of Speed and Time (1979) User Reviews

This short version of The Wizard of Speed and Time was a fascinating find of the works of Mike Jittlov I just discovered online

[tavm · 8/10 · 7 December 2018]

With Mickey Mouse recently celebrating his 90th birthday, I looked on YouTube searching for his 50th when it was showcased on the TV show "The Wonderful World of Disney". YT didn't have the entire ep but I did manage to find some segments that involved stop-motion photography using MM collectables. In fact, the first segment was called "The Collector", the second segment was called "The Rat Race" and the third and final part was called "Mouse Mania". It was directed by and starred Mike Jittlov. I remember being fascinated by these segments on the Disney show when I was a 10-year-old kid and they're still fascinating now watching them again. Seeing that again led me to seek out a short that I'm now reviewing under its title. TWoSaT involves Jittlov playing the title character who uses some undercranking (or maybe it seems that way) to make him run real fast while picking up a woman who seems to be hoping to be discovered in Hollywood. There's also another sequence of him singing a song while all these objects involving movie making move in stop-motion style. It's pretty short but quite fascinating to watch. This is very good, if not great. Now I'm going to watch the feature-length version on YouTube so watch my review of that one in the 1988 same-title heading in this site...

Possibly the greatest short film ever

[malcomforbes · 10/10 · 22 August 2006]

This independent short film by special effects GENIUS Mike Jittlov could quite easily be the greatest short film ever made. It is about the adventures of a green robed wizard through Los Angeles and beyond. The first half is packed with spectacular special effects work as he runs at Mach 5 around California. He then slips on a banana peel, which causes him to soar into the air, crash landing on an empty soundstage. Then, using the most AMAZING special effects ever, the studio comes to life with dancing tripods, and cascading film cans everywhere. He then sings an explanatory song as to who he is. The song is very catchy, and you will find yourself humming it from time to time upon repeated viewing. The half that takes place in the studio truly demonstrates Mike Jittlov's ingenuity. TO be able to sing whilst surrounded by animated things, he animated his lips frame by frame in synch with music he recorded earlier.

Maybe not THE greatest ever, but right up there

[wgswindsor · 10/10 · 8 January 2011]

As "malcomforbes" has described the content very well, I'll simply try to reinforce the fact that - if you're at all interested in animation (the *real* thing - not CGI) - then you owe it to yourself to see what one man can do with a limited budget and unlimited creativity.

The film is short (about 3 minutes) and is divided into two sections, each with its one-word title: "Speed" and, not surprisingly, "Time". Of the two, "Time" is the winner. The first segment stretches on a bit too long, but the second part leaves you wanting another thirty minutes (or more). The stop-motion (single frame) animation is amazing, not only for its smoothness and continuity, but for the synchronized movement of 3 or more tripods or as many as seven lighting instruments on their stands. It really takes multiple viewings to appreciate the details such as the aggressive clipboard slinking away from the Wizard. This is *absolutely brilliant* work!

The only regret I have is that I can't find a 16mm film copy. The color intensity in "Time", not to mention the large image possible, are sadly missing from the computer monitor. BUT - *watch it*. You won't regret it.