Project · Explainer · Direction, Design, Storyboard

What is Magna Carta?

Two animated films for the British Library exploring Magna Carta and its legacy over 800 years, narrated by Terry Jones.

Villagers in blue coats watch a figure in red hold up a sheet, beside three roundels of a fish, a ship and a purse.
Villagers and trade icons.

What is Magna Carta? and 800 Years of Magna Carta are animated explainer films commissioned by the British Library for the charter's 800th anniversary in 2015. Produced by Beakus, both are narrated by Terry Jones of Monty Python.

The films explore Magna Carta’s development from a medieval charter into a symbol of rights and freedoms.

What is Magna Carta?

0:00 / 3:32

800 Years of Magna Carta

0:00 / 4:10

Design

  • Villagers in blue coats watch a figure in red hold up a sheet, beside three roundels of a fish, a ship and a purse.
  • A man in a blue sash raises a scroll before shadowy figures in ruffs, beside a tree with red and blue leaves.
  • A king in a red cape tumbles backward through mounds of gold coins, chains and goblets.
  • A king in a red cape strains to lift a large blue house above his head.
  • Three red-bearded barons in blue and teal robes, one holding a sword and another an axe.
  • A golden castle with red pennants rises from blue hills under a teal sky.
  • Black-cloaked knights on horseback surround the Tower of London, with the river Thames curving below.
  • A king sits at a red table on a blue rug while armored barons with banners and shields stand before him.
  • The date 1838 in large white numerals over blue factory chimneys and black smoke on a red ground.
  • A crowned king in a red cape rides a brown horse and holds a golden sceptre, beside a leafy sprig.
  • A seated man in an orange coat and a standing knight in gray holding a lion-emblazoned shield.
  • A brown saddled horse stands among scattered blue arrows and a white ribbon on a cream ground.
  • A white ribbon loops across a cream ground with a single blue arrow and red brush marks.
  • A king lies fallen among arrows, a crown, a sceptre, a wooden box and a roll of paper.

Making Of

I directed and designed the films, working with producer Steve Smith and animators Marcus Armitage, Franky Swan and Isaac Holland.

I designed the characters, scenes and storyboards for both films, using two color palettes to give each film its own look.

Grid of black-and-white storyboard frames showing documents, crowds, maps and dates from 1536 to 1964.
Storyboard frames.
  • Color palette of maroon, black, gray, red, white and yellow blocks.
  • Color palette of navy, cream, red, indigo, teal and blue blocks.

More on the British Library's YouTube channel and on Beakus' website.

A golden castle with red pennants rises from blue hills under a teal sky.

Credits

Client
British Library
Production Company
Beakus
Narrated By
Terry Jones
Directed and Designed By
Gergely Wootsch
Producer
Steve Smith
Production Manager
Laura Thomas
Sound Design
Marian Mentrup
Animated By
Marcus Armitage • Franky Swan • Isaac Holland
Additional Design By
Isaac Holland