The Hand Behind the Mouse: The Ub Iwerks Story

The Hand Behind the Mouse: The Ub Iwerks Story is a compelling, comprehensive and delightful documentary released in 1999 chronicling the life and innovative contributions of Ub Iwerks, one of the pioneering giants of animation industry. Endowing the narration is the vibrant voice of Kelsey Grammer who carries the audience through the golden era of animation.

Directed by Leslie Iwerks, the granddaughter of Ub Iwerks, the documentary shines a light on the lesser-known and yet incredibly important figures of the world-famous Disney universe. Leslie Iwerks takes us on a nostalgic ride, exploring Ub Iwerks's significant role in the creation of legendary cartoon characters and advanced filmmaking techniques.

Featuring rare footages, family photos, and interviews, also with contributions from animation experts and animators like Mark Kausler and John Lasseter, The Hand Behind the Mouse paints a touching portrait of the genius and the legacy of Iwerks. It is delivered in the form of a narrative that is both biographical and analytical, crafting a rich tapestry of historical and personal perspectives.

Ub Iwerks, a long-time collaborator and friend of Walt Disney, played a pivotal role in creating and giving life to beloved cartoon characters including Disney's first lucrative character, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, and the world-renowned icon, Mickey Mouse. However, his contributions were not limited to character creation alone. A formidable technical genius, Iwerks also pioneered new animation and special effects techniques. His invention, Multiplane Camera, revolutionized the animation landscape by giving depth to animation frames, adding a new layer of realness to the medium.

The Hand Behind the Mouse does a splendid job in examining the ingenuity and passion of Ub Iwerks, providing the viewer with a vivid picture of not only the man but also the processes and techniques behind the animations. It astutely exposes the seamless blend of art and science within the creative process of animation.

It also touches upon the themes of collaboration, intellectual ownership, and the challenges faced by creative people in flourishing within commercial businesses. Conversations in this regard help to highlight the nuances of the artistic and commercial world of Hollywood's golden years. It provides an insightful exploration into the early days of Disney, the successes, the trials, the enduring friendship between Iwerks and Disney, and the evolution of the animation industry.

Through the first-hand experiences and acquaintances of Ub Iwerks, including the aforementioned Mark Kausler and John Lasseter, the audience is offered a valuable opportunity to peek into the world of animation and to better comprehend the genius of Iwerks. Their personal inputs provide a sense of intimacy to the viewer, adding a stroke of authenticity to the narrative.

The narration by Kelsey Grammer is engaging and complements the documentary’s intent of giving Ub Iwerks the hindsight recognition he deserved but did not quite receive during his active years. Grammer’s narrating style has a knack for adding depth to the tale, making the exploration of Ub Iwerks customizable for any audience, from die-hard Disney fans to the casually interested.

In essence, The Hand Behind the Mouse: The Ub Iwerks Story is a powerful tribute to a true innovator and creative genius. It not only informs and enlightens the audience about his important contributions to the animation world, it humanizes him, raising him from the shadow of Walt Disney into the spotlight he so rightly deserves. It's an informative and engrossing watch for anyone interested in the art of animation, the history of Disney, or the culmination and intersection of creativity and technology in the realm of film.