Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello

Every once in a while something so amazing slips past us that we can but weep in mourning of lost time, once the Amazing Thing is discovered at last.

I remember mention of The Mysterious Explorations of Jasper Morello when it was first released in 2005 but it was tragically lost in the rumbling noise of the Internet, before I could watch it. The IMDB synopsis of this gorgeous silhouette animation is as follows:

“Set in a world of iron dirigibles and steam powered computers, this gothic horror mystery tells the story of Jasper Morello, a disgraced aerial navigator who flees his Plague-ridden home on a desperate voyage to redeem himself. The chance discovery of an abandoned dirigible leads Jasper through unchartered waters to an island on which lives a terrifying creature that may be the cure for the Plague. The journey back to civilization is filled with horrors but in a shocking climax, Jasper discovers that the greatest horror of all lies within man himself. “

Today by pure chance I re-discovered this gem of animation on the ol’ YouTube and am about to buy the DVD to finally put an end to my ignorance. Has anyone here seen this?

Watch the trailer after the jump.

[kml_flashembed movie="http://youtube.com/v/wez9AQUH250" width="400" height="330" wmode="transparent" /]

15 Responses to “Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello”

  1. Sizemore Says:

    Saw this earlier in the year and it’s great. Love the animation, but the story is really first class. Airships and beasties… puts Hollywood to shame. You’ll love it.

  2. E. Black Says:

    Airships! Steam power! Beasties! This is my kind of movie and I’m going to have to see this precious gem.

  3. Gooby Says:

    Jeez, I remember catching this film in the theatres- IT was a brilliant return to the Prince Achmed method of cartooning- my chin was soaking up the butter flavored residue from the floors and my eyeballs felt like corn flakes due to the paralysis of my blinkers. Later, leaving my seat, thinking the same thing I think every time something this brilliant crosses my path.

    I have wasted my life…

    And it was up for an academy award that year, up against Shane Ackers piece, “9”, and Laika’s Moongirl- all equally as breathtaking in their own ways!

    And what ended up winning was John Canemaker’s boring ass contrived tear jerker about his rough upbringing, bla bla bla!

    Sorry, I’m sure a lot of people felt differently, I thought it was wretchedly boring, and Jasper Morello shoulda won!

  4. Matt Says:

    I’ve got to say, one of the most charming moments of the year was seeing this film. Effortlessly tear-jerking and genuinely whole it was a beautiful short I will spread word of for a long time coming.

  5. Apokalypi Says:

    i saw this in the theater when it came out with the animated academy award shorts 2005, and then i got the dvd of that when it came out because of this short. the other ones were ok, but this is the only one worth seeing, and i show it to whoever i can, it’s nothing but awesome. so obviously it didn’t win, not that it matters. the one that did was about this guy who didn’t like his dad and then grew up to make lame animated shorts about it, which is what you’d expect. i’ll have to get this dvd at some point though, those special features look great.

  6. Apokalypi Says:

    man, that other guy said exactly what i did, next time i’ll have to submit my comment right after i read the article

  7. Jerem Morrow Says:

    FUCKING A. Something else I owe Warren Ellis for.

  8. Apokalypi Says:

    also, i forgot 9 was part of that, it wasn’t on the dvd. that was great too, it’d be nice to see jasper get the same feature film treatment.

  9. Mark Donovan Says:

    It’s funny. I saw this yesterday for the first time, and then sent out the link to all of my friends. I love this film.

  10. rubyredshoes Says:

    I love that its Australian….glee

  11. Ben Johnson Says:

    The film is also available in Wholphin, vol. 2, which is the DVD magazine published by McSweeney’s. They also have a short interview with the filmmaker.

  12. davesgonechina Says:

    The film is also available another way, on the Oscar Short Films of 2005 DVD, with all sorts of other goodies.

  13. Tequila Says:

    Wonderful bit of work…easy to appreciate even from someone like myself who’s not a big fan of the steampunk aesthetic ( love the look but tend to be bored by the stories often attached to it.) On a technical level alone it’s a beauty but what I really enjoyed was that it didn’t try to wallow in it while ditching things like storytelling and emotion.

  14. Daniel Says:

    Thanks for posting this. I watched the Youtube clips and the film is amazing. Will definitely be purchasing a copy.

  15. The Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello « Haute Macabre Says:

    […] friends at Coilhouse did a brilliant write up of this short in an article in 2007.  Once again, they are ahead of the […]