Paddington: The Man Behind the Bear
With readings by Hugh Bonneville, animation and contributions from celebrity fans, this film looks at the beloved character of Paddington and tells the story of his unassuming creator Michael Bond.
Featuring specially filmed readings and narration by Hugh Bonneville, this film celebrates how Paddington became such a well-loved character for generations of readers and film fans. It is also the story of his unassuming creator Michael Bond.
With a mix of archive, animation, interviews and some surprising encounters, it tells the tale of how a little Peruvian bear called Paddington found a home in Britain and went on to enchant the world.
The film includes interviews with Michael Bond鈥檚 family and some famous admirers, among them Stephen Fry, Heston Blumenthal, Lauren Child, Bernard Cribbins, Valerie Singleton and Jeremy Clarkson. Animated sequences based on Peggy Fortnum鈥檚 original illustrations also help bring this captivating story to life.
There are fascinating insights into how Michael Bond's own life influenced the values and character he gave to Paddington, from Michael鈥檚 personal encounters with refugees during the war to witnessing the arrival of the Windrush generation in postwar London.
Entertaining sequences that Paddington would approve of include a trip to see his close relatives at the zoo, an exclusive endorsement from the Peruvian ambassador, Heston Blumenthal performing a Paddington-inspired culinary magic trick and Jeremy Clarkson revealing how his parents made a fortune selling unofficial Paddington dolls.
The film is also a nostalgic trip to the golden age of British TV - a time when Bill and Ben and Muffin the Mule ruled the roost, and Michael Bond was a camera supervisor on a brand new children鈥檚 show called Blue Peter. Bond later teamed up with the genius behind The Magic Roundabout to bring us The Herbs and, of course, the 大象传媒 television version of Paddington.
Following Paddington鈥檚 rise to become the world鈥檚 most recognisable, well-loved bear, the film sees how Paddington worked as a Unicef children鈥檚 champion and, with the help of cast and crew, follows his unstoppable career in the movies.
Ultimately, the film offers a warm celebration of how Michael Bond gave Paddington values of decency and understanding shaped by his own upbringing and experiences in postwar Britain, and, in doing so, created a bear the whole world has come to love.
Last on
Clips
-
HOW PADDINGTON MADE HESTON BLUMENTHAL, HESTON BLUMENTHAL
Duration: 02:57
-
JEREMY CLARKSON - THE OTHER MAN BEHIND THE BEAR
Duration: 02:44
-
PADDINGTON AND ME
Duration: 01:29
-
BEARS, MARMALADE AND HARD STARES
Duration: 01:59
Music Played
-
Nick Urata
Duel With Facilities
-
bloodsimple
Death From Above
-
D Lime
London Is The Place For Me (feat. Tabago Crusoe)
-
Sidney Torch, New Century Orchestra
Barnacle Bill
-
Nick Urata
Arrival In London
-
Nacio Herb Brown
Singin' in the Rain
Singer: Gene Kelly.
Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Executive Producer | Richard Bright |
Narrator | Hugh Bonneville |
Producer | Eric Haynes |
Interviewed Guest | Jeremy Clarkson |
Interviewed Guest | Bernard Cribbins |
Editor | Gary Scott |
Interviewed Guest | Konnie Huq |
Assistant Producer | Louise Arthur |
Interviewed Guest | Heston Blumenthal |
Production Manager | Claire McCluskey |
Interviewed Guest | Valerie Singleton |
Production Coordinator | Susan Scott |
Interviewed Guest | Lauren Child |
Animator | Ross Hogg |
Interviewed Guest | Paul King |
Composer | Francis MacDonald |
Interviewed Guest | Stephen Fry |
Interviewed Guest | Simon Farnaby |
Interviewed Guest | Rosie Alison |
Interviewed Guest | Karen Jankel |
Interviewed Guest | Sue Bond |
Interviewed Guest | Brenda Bond |
Interviewed Guest | Tobago Cursoe |
Interviewed Guest | Peter Joseph |
Interviewed Guest | Barry Macey |
Interviewed Guest | Lucy Edwards |
Director | Eric Haynes |
Broadcasts
Featured in...
Cultural Icons
Explore the work of iconic musicians, writers and artists.
Festive Documentaries
From historical festivities to the world of the snow wolf, all the stories of the season.
Uplifting Arts
Celebrating the power of art to thrill, surprise and inspire.