In this much-needed study of a neglected medium Paul Wells undertakes aconvincing defence of the animated film as a significant art form explaining why animation has been consigned to the margins of film history & criticism & offering a variety of strategies for inrtpreting & evaluating animated film. Part history part theory part celebration Understanding Animation explores approaches to animation through an electric range of case studies from Betty Boops Snow White to Jan Svankmajers Jabberwocky. Opening with the discussion of the early history of animation through experimental figures like Emile Reynaud & J. Stuat Blavkton Wells moves on to discuss narrative strategies; the idea of realism & Disney-esque hyper-realism the construction of comedy; representations of gender & race & animation & audience research. Understanding Animation provides a range of points of access into this undervalued medium & demostrates that the animated film has much to tell us about ourselves the cultures we live in & our view of art & our society.