Truckers is a British stop motion animated series, an adaptation of the first book of Terry Pratchett's The Nome Trilogy, produced in the United Kingdom by Cosgrove Hall Productions for TV, then released on VHS, though edited together into a feature-length film. The series consisted of 13 ten-minute episodes.
Plot A group of 'outside' Nomes led by Masklin flee their unsustainable hedgerow home managing to get inside a traditional old style department store where they meet a group of 'inside' Nomes. The building is scheduled for demolition. Masklin tells the inside Nomes this but the store Nomes' religion states that 'The Store' consists of the entire universe, and denies the existence of the 'outside'.
With the help of the Outsiders heirloom, a powerful sentient computer called The Thing, Masklin formulates a plan to escape the doomed store. Through skill, courage and sheer good luck, Masklin and his friends manage to evacuate the store Nomes before their home is destroyed.
Production and notes The puppets were built by Mackinnon & Saunders, created from foam latex.
Some of the interior shots of Arnold Bros was filmed in Lewis's Department Store in Manchester.
Some of the surviving puppets are on public display at the Cosgrove Hall Exhibition in Manchester.
Episodes
Cast Masklin — Joe McGann Grimma — Debra Gillett Granny Morkie, Baroness Del Icatessen — Rosalie Williams Torrit, Count De Ironmongri – John Jardine The Thing — Edward Kelsey Angalo De Haberdasheri – Nigel Carrington Duke De Haberdasheri – David Scase Dorcas — Brian Trueman The Abbot — Michael Hordern Gurder — Brian Southwood Mr Mert, Vinto Pimmie — Jimmy Hibbert Dave the Policeman — Rob Rackstraw
Crew Directed by Jackie Cockle, Francis Vose, Chris Taylor (each episode had one director) Produced by Jackie Cockle Executive producer: John Hambley Adapted by Brian Trueman Edited by Zyggy Markiewicz Music: Colin Towns Film editor: Zyggy Markiewicz Assistant film editors: Stephen Perry, Jane Hicks Music editor: Garry Hardman
Novelisation The series was made into a short hardcover book published by Ladybird Press in 1992. The book included colour photos from the series.
References
External links Toonhound