Persistence of Vision (film)
Persistence of Vision is a 2012 documentary film based on animator Richard Williams' ill-fated attempts to produce his film "The Thief and the Cobbler". Directed by Kevin Schreck, its tagline is "the untold story of the greatest animated film never made". The film premiered in Canada on 4 October 2012 at the Vancouver International Film Festival. Synopsis. Canadian animator and filmmaker Richard Williams struggles to finish his masterpiece, a long-term vanity project called "The Thief and the Cobbler". Originally begun in 1964 as an adaptation of middle-eastern folk tales, the project continues to  grow in scope and complexity over several decades while Williams and his studio seek proper funding. In 1988, Williams is hired as animation director on the hit film "Who Framed Roger Rabbit", and his long-laboured project is finally given the greenlight by Warner Bros. Unfortunately, Williams' meticulous attention to detail, as well as the forthcoming release of Disney's similarly themed "Aladdin", prove too much for the studio, and on May 15, 1992, after three decades of work, Williams and his team are fired from the project. The film is then recut and hastily released in various editions that  bear little resemblance to Williams' original vision. Williams himself retires from animation and refuses to speak about the film for several years after. He eventually releases a bestselling instructional book, "The Animator's Survival Kit", and becomes a legendary mentor and instructor to a whole new generation of animators. Though Williams did not participate in the making of the film, archival footage of him is combined with interviews of his co-workers. Reception. Drew Taylor of "IndieWire" called the film "a heartbreaking account" and a "Herculean accomplishment". "The Globe and Mail" rated the film 3.5/4 stars and called the film  gripping. Jeff Shannon of "The Seattle Times" rated the film 3.5/4 stars and described it as "engrossing" and "surprisingly suspenseful".