Recognized more as an underrated figure in classic American animation outside of Walt Disney, Hugh Harman and Rudolph Ising often strove to push animation beyond the typical wacky comical stuff common back then. In the case of Harman's Oscar nominated antiwar short Peace on Earth, the film has been acclaimed for its earnest albeit dated message of how tragedy through war and violence can be overcome through peace and prosperity. As the film is told from the perspective of cute forest animals around the Christmas season, there is much to enjoy from the film as there is to think about.
The best way to summarize Peace on Earth as a whole is a look into what could possibly occur if humanity destroyed itself yet life still went on. Harman and story writers Jack Cosgriff and Charles McGirl cleverly place the history of human beings as a story an elderly squirrel tells to his grandchildren whilst Christmas is upon them, instigating an ironic usage of the famous song Hark, the Herald Angels Sing. In combining realism with fantasy storytelling, especially through transitional montage and flashback editing, the contrast between the past and the present is made quite strong. Where the fall of humanity shows how deadly the so-called "men" are at mindless war combat, the rise of restoring healthy lands from forest animals makes us realize how important it is to rebuild. In some ways, one could argue that human beings are no different than wild animals, especially when their primal instincts turn them to the darkside. Considering that this short film was released merely a few months after WWII broke out, the tackling of wartime fears back then still holds up today as a result.
Going into the art direction, the backgrounds are full of lush detail and colorful set pieces that pop out depending on the sequence. The present day paints a calm collective village of animalkind filled to the brim with colorful snow and lights, whereas the past is practically painted in dreary backdrops of destruction and smog, almost making the days of men feel like a nightmare in itself. The choice to present the men in scary war gear where even a gas mask makes them look like monsters instead of humans allows the audience to connect more with the forest animals, since they emote so much more through their gestures and expressions despite not being sentient human beings. On top of that, veteran voice actor Mel Blanc brings his strongest acting chops in making the grandfather squirrel cheery and somber depending on the mood the scene calls for. With the aid of Scott Bradley's score successfully sounding menacing and harmonious and the realistic sound work done, it's safe to say that the presentation feels more antiwar than just the concepts behind the film alone.
By depicting the fragile sense of morality that all human beings hold, Peace on Earth has stood the test of time as a reminder to withhold one's own moral value for the benefit of the world's main function. Through religious subtext and environmental strength, anyone of any age can see this film for themselves without feeling as if they've been spoon fed the dangers of war through humanity. Like the better antiwar pieces out there, the film respects its audience enough to make them mature in the grand scheme of the world. Truly one of the great animated short films of all time.
The best way to summarize Peace on Earth as a whole is a look into what could possibly occur if humanity destroyed itself yet life still went on. Harman and story writers Jack Cosgriff and Charles McGirl cleverly place the history of human beings as a story an elderly squirrel tells to his grandchildren whilst Christmas is upon them, instigating an ironic usage of the famous song Hark, the Herald Angels Sing. In combining realism with fantasy storytelling, especially through transitional montage and flashback editing, the contrast between the past and the present is made quite strong. Where the fall of humanity shows how deadly the so-called "men" are at mindless war combat, the rise of restoring healthy lands from forest animals makes us realize how important it is to rebuild. In some ways, one could argue that human beings are no different than wild animals, especially when their primal instincts turn them to the darkside. Considering that this short film was released merely a few months after WWII broke out, the tackling of wartime fears back then still holds up today as a result.
Going into the art direction, the backgrounds are full of lush detail and colorful set pieces that pop out depending on the sequence. The present day paints a calm collective village of animalkind filled to the brim with colorful snow and lights, whereas the past is practically painted in dreary backdrops of destruction and smog, almost making the days of men feel like a nightmare in itself. The choice to present the men in scary war gear where even a gas mask makes them look like monsters instead of humans allows the audience to connect more with the forest animals, since they emote so much more through their gestures and expressions despite not being sentient human beings. On top of that, veteran voice actor Mel Blanc brings his strongest acting chops in making the grandfather squirrel cheery and somber depending on the mood the scene calls for. With the aid of Scott Bradley's score successfully sounding menacing and harmonious and the realistic sound work done, it's safe to say that the presentation feels more antiwar than just the concepts behind the film alone.
By depicting the fragile sense of morality that all human beings hold, Peace on Earth has stood the test of time as a reminder to withhold one's own moral value for the benefit of the world's main function. Through religious subtext and environmental strength, anyone of any age can see this film for themselves without feeling as if they've been spoon fed the dangers of war through humanity. Like the better antiwar pieces out there, the film respects its audience enough to make them mature in the grand scheme of the world. Truly one of the great animated short films of all time.