Martin Johansen An inventor enters a race to challenge the champion who stole his invention. The champion, knowing that he cannot win honestly, decides to cheat. Who is more potent, the honest creator or the dishonest thief?The Pinchcliffe Grand Prix is a stop motion-animated feature film directed by Ivo Caprino. The movie is entirely made by a team of 5 including all scenes and props. It is the biggest success in the history of Norwegian movies selling 5.5 million tickets in a country of only 5 million. One reason for the movie's success and enduring appeal is the choice of a subject and theme that are engaging to the general public, featuring a hero who honestly fights for justice with his brilliant mind as his main weapon. This is very different than the intellectuals' favored social realism which dominates Norwegian and European movies.The movie's basic philosophical premises are akin to the romantic realists of the 19th century. The team behind the movie had previously made series of short films of Norwegian folk tales of the late 18th and the early 19th century, featuring the basic philosophy of that time: a belief in industrial progress, reason, individualism and honesty.The story is carefully and skillfully constructed with a good pacing. The build-up is logical with emphasis on consistency and realism. What happens in the movie are logical consequences of the previous events leading to the logical conclusion, quite different than the modern main-stream action movies. The story is tight with props and scenes included that contribute to the subject, theme and plot.Viewers of the movie should be aware of its oddities, however. The universe is based on Kjell Aukrust's comedic and satirical writings. This gives the movie a slight tongue-in-cheek feel, which is unfortunate. Also, the characters and props are truly unique, original and slightly eccentric. However, the movie's strengths outweigh these problems.Skillfully and wonderfully crafted, accompanied by a beautiful score and an engaging story that carries you along, the movie deserves the highest praise and recommendation, a true masterpiece and accomplishment.

kebman Two words: Pod racing. I haven't payed much attention to the end titles of Star Wars Episode I, but there really should be a "thank you Caprino" in there somewhere. Of course that's an entirely different picture, but still the racing scenes are conspicuously similar to the ones in the thirty-some years older Pinchcliffe Grand Prix.Yeah, this film is what makes me proud to be Norwegian. Reading the other comments on this film simply fills me with joy. I see it's hard to find abroad, but I'm sure it's possible to order an English version on the internet, and possibly the latest Caprio Collection DVD set with the ingenious short films that predates this full feature masterpiece.If only the the up and coming Norwegian filmmakers could make something like this... It doesn't even have to be better, so long as it's close. But then again, that's why masterworks are masterworks, and everyone else are mere mortals.

Paladin Steelbreaker Well, this one is a true diamond! Ever since I watched it the first time as a 7 year old, I have loved this movie. I am now 29 and still do. I don't know how many times I have seen this movie, but it manages to catch me every time. This simply has to be the best animation movie ever made! Yeah, i am aware that recent animation movies are a lot more technically advanced. but the fact that it took more than 20 years, and a heck of a lot more technology, for the rest of the world to duplicate what Ivo Caprino did with his dolls, stands as a bullet proof testimony that the guy was an incredible genius. Ad to that the marvelous script written by Kjell Aukrust, an equally genius man, and you have a movie that will continue to amuse people young and old, for decades to come. Yes, I have been impressed by the good animation on recent animation movies, and some of them even have a darned good plot, but they don't even come close when it comes to sheer entertainment value. And even when it comes to animation, this movie,despite it's age, are better than some of the new ones! It should not be possible, but it is!!! There is something about that low key humour and warmth of heart, that lack in recent kind movies. Nowadays it is just full throttle action from start to end. The plot often seems to come second or third. Flåklypa Grandprix makes you fell strongly for or against the characters, whom are so wonderfully described, that you feel you know them personally.Now, there certainly are plenty of action in this movie, but even the Action sequences is made with a twinkle in the eye.I realize that much of the humour of the movie is very "Norwegian", and as such may be difficult to translate. And sadly I have been told that Norwegian is one of the hardest languages to learn in the world. This is probably the reason that it is relatively unknown outside Scandinavia.(shakes my head sadly) but I know there is both an American and German version. I have not seen any of those, but still I urge you all out there, if you ever get the chance to see this wonderful movie, then DO IT!!! I am fully convinced that you will have a fond memory for the rest of your life. I apologize to all Americans that read this, but Disney Company could never make an animation movie half as good as Flåklypa Grand Prix. Not now anyway. Disney's latest productions looks like they don't even care making an effort, and keep resting and snoring on Walt's laurels. That was a man, which genius even Ivo Caprino had to look up to. Well, thats it for now. PS! The Car Race at the end of the movie, are so good that you actually find yourself forced to the sides of your chair by the G force.

kdskicat I just bought this and watched it again for the first time in 10 years, such great memories, it is truly a timeless piece of art by Caprino. The humor hits all levels for all generations, every detail has been considered in its making. I heard when it came out on DVD in Norway it shattered a lot of DVD records, anyone know when/if it is going to be released in US? my bootleg DVD copy I bought on ebay is nice, but would love a version that had some history on the film. I'll never forget how my father would get my brother and I so riled up by insisting this was the time that Gore Slimy was going to win. Everyone who likes to cheer for an underdog should find a way to watch this film