The Academy Awards Animation Collection: The Milky Way (1940) is a charming animated short film that tells the story of the Milky Way's creation. This seven-minute film is a part of a series of animated shorts that were nominated for, and often won, Academy Awards during the golden age of Hollywood. The film begins with a swirling vortex of clouds representing the beginning of the universe. As the clouds part, we see a small star and a tiny planet revolving around it. This is the birth of our solar system, and the filmmakers take great care to show the beauty and wonder of this moment.
The planet is Earth, and the camera zooms in to show the surface in detail. The filmmakers have created a vivid and colorful landscape, filled with all manner of flora and fauna. There are lakes and rivers, mountains and valleys, and animals of all kinds. It's a stunning achievement for an animated film from the 1940s.
As the film progresses, we see a young girl named Polly, who lives in a small cottage in the countryside. Polly is curious about the night sky and all the stars she sees shining up above. Her mother tells her the story of the Milky Way, and Polly becomes obsessed with it. She spends every night looking up at the stars, wondering about the mysteries beyond.
One night, as she is gazing up at the sky, something miraculous happens. The stars begin to move, forming patterns and shapes in the sky. Soon, a giant spaceship appears, and Polly is whisked away on a journey through the cosmos. She visits different planets, each with its own unique ecosystem and inhabitants. The filmmakers have created some truly imaginative and delightful creatures, including a flock of flying whales and a planet made entirely of ice cream.
As the journey continues, Polly learns about the different constellations and their stories. The filmmakers have taken great care to create accurate representations of the stars and planets, and the result is a visually stunning film.
The climax of the film sees Polly arriving at the center of the Milky Way. Here, she meets the creatures responsible for its creation, who are revealed to be sentient stars. They explain the process by which they formed the galaxy, and Polly is amazed by the sheer scale of their endeavor.
Finally, Polly returns to Earth, changed forever by her journey through the cosmos. She shares her stories with her friends and family, and they all gaze up at the stars in wonder.
The Milky Way is a beautifully crafted film that captures the awe and wonder of space exploration. The filmmakers' attention to detail in creating the diverse array of planets and creatures is truly impressive, and the story is a heartwarming tale of curiosity and discovery. This short film is a classic example of the golden age of animation and a testament to the power of imagination.
