Rupert and the Frog Song facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rupert and the Frog Song
Original UK release poster
Directed by	Geoff Dunbar
Produced by	Paul McCartney
Written by	Paul McCartney Linda McCartney Geoff Dunbar
Starring	Paul McCartney Windsor Davies June Whitfield
Music by	Paul McCartney
Editing by	Tony Fish Peter Hearn
Distributed by	MPL Communications
Release date(s)	28th November 1984
Running time	13 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

Rupert and the Frog Song is a short animated movie from 1984. It is based on the famous comic strip character Rupert Bear. The film was created by Paul McCartney, who wrote and produced it. Geoff Dunbar directed the movie.

Making the film took a few years, from 1981 to 1983. It was first shown in cinemas before Paul McCartney's other movie, Give My Regards to Broad Street. A popular song from the film, "We All Stand Together", became a big hit. It reached number 3 on the music charts in the UK. Later, in 2004, the film was included in a collection called Paul McCartney: Music & Animation.

The Story of Rupert's Adventure

Rupert Bear decides to go for a walk in the hills. His mother gives him permission for a fun trip. Along the way, he meets his friends, Edward Elephant and Bill Badger. They are both too busy to join him. Bill needs to look after his baby brother. Edward has to go shopping.

Rupert finds a nice oak tree on a hill. He leans against it and enjoys the beautiful countryside. Suddenly, a colorful cloud of butterflies appears. They were hiding as leaves on the tree! The butterflies fly away from the tree towards some rocky cliffs. Rupert feels excited and follows them. As he leaves, a large white barn owl and two black cats start to follow him too.

At the rocky cliffs, Rupert sees many colorful frogs. He walks into a cave that is hidden behind a waterfall. Inside, he sees three funny signs. They say: "Frogs only beyond this point," "Everything except frogs must be kept on a lead," and "Guard frogs operating." Rupert sneaks into a grand palace, trying not to get caught by the frog guards.

Inside the palace, Rupert sees something amazing. He witnesses the "Frog Song." This special event happens only once every few hundred years. Many frogs of all different shapes and sizes gather together. They sing the song "We All Stand Together" in a big chorus. Near the end of the song, the frog King and Queen rise out of the water. They finish the song with the crowd.

After the frogs give a huge applause, the barn owl attacks! The owl had followed Rupert to find the frogs. It tries to attack the King and Queen. But Rupert quickly warns the frogs. They all hide very fast. The owl and cats are left empty-handed in the empty palace. Rupert then hears his mother calling him. He rushes home excitedly to tell his family everything he saw.

Meet the Voices

The talented people who gave voices to the characters are:

• Paul McCartney (voice) – He voiced Rupert, Edward, Bill, and a Boy Frog.
• June Whitfield (voice) – She was the voice of Rupert's Mother.
• Windsor Davies (voice) – He voiced Rupert's Father and the Father Frog.

Film Release and Special Editions

Paul McCartney had wanted to make a Rupert movie for a long time. He started planning it in the early 1970s. His company, McCartney Productions Ltd., got the rights to make the film.

The movie was released on video at the same time as the song "We All Stand Together." The video became the best-selling video of 1985! It was even nominated for a Grammy Award in 1986 for 'Best Music Video – Short Form'. The video also included two other short films with music by Linda McCartney. These were "Seaside Woman" and "The Oriental Nightfish".

In September 2004, the film was released again on DVD. This was to celebrate its 20th Anniversary. The DVD was part of a collection called Tales of Wonder Music and Animation Classics. It also included two other short films directed by Geoff Dunbar: Tropic Island Hum and Tuesday.

The 2004 DVD version has a different opening. It starts in an old bedroom filled with Rupert Bear toys and items. We see Paul McCartney opening a big chest. He finds an old Rupert book inside. He blows dust off the book, and it sparkles! McCartney opens the book to show his childhood home address. Then, the page turns to the movie's title. This new opening was also used for a music video of "We All Stand Together."

You can watch the film playing on a loop at the Museum of Canterbury in England. In October 2020, Paul McCartney announced that the film would be restored in 4K quality. This was to celebrate Rupert character's 100th anniversary. A special picture disc of the single was also re-released.

Awards and Recognition

In 1984, the year it came out, Rupert and the Frog Song won an important award. It received a UK BAFTA (British Academy Award) for Best Animated Short Film.