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the Premiere of Sir Billi
"🎶 He's the man that we need
When we're scared
He's our guardian we believe ..."
~ Guardian of the Highlands, Patrick Doyle, 2013
We definitely all need someone on our side! Even if it is the late Sean Connery in cartoon form!
Released as "Sir Billi" in the United States at the Sonoma International Film Festival—and as "Guardian of the Highlands" elsewhere—Scotland’s first full-length CGI animated feature tells the story of Sir Billi, an octogenarian, skateboarding veterinarian (voiced by Sean Connery).
With a mix of daring and eccentric charm, he goes well beyond the call of duty, taking on villainous policemen and formidable lairds in a spirited quest to save an illegal fugitive: Bessie Boo the beaver!
Production on this independent animated film stretched over many years. Work began in the early 2000s, with character design, voice recording, and animation progressing gradually as funding and resources allowed. At the same time, digital animation technology was evolving rapidly, which meant ongoing revisions and technical adjustments along the way. What began as an ambitious concept ultimately took nearly a decade to bring to completion!
The film’s title song was performed by Shirley Bassey, creating a fitting connection to Sean Connery through their shared legacy of James Bond theme songs.
At the film’s 2012–2013 premieres in the US and UK, both appeared—Bassey in a gown and Connery in kilt—wearing this distinctive tartan. The design itself was carefully adapted from the animated pattern of Sir Billi’s tartan overalls, bringing the film’s animated world into a wearable reality. 💚 🖤 🤍 ❤️ 🎬 🎥 🍿 🦫
Sir Billi is a 2012 British computer animated adventure comedy feature film. Directed by Sascha Hartmann, the film stars the voices of Christopher Alexander, John Amabile, Sean Connery, Alan Cumming, Patrick Doyle and Kieron Elliott.
The film was Scotland's first CGI animated feature film. It was also the final acting role for Sean Connery, who announced his retirement from the motion picture industry after working on the film.
Sir Billi is an adventure about the race to save the last beaver in Scotland, led by Sir Billi; veterinarian by profession, skateboarder by passion, and grandfather by love.
The film was released in the United States this week in 2012 under the alternate title Guardian of the Highlands, which is also the name of the film's title song, sung by Dame Shirley Bassey.
This tartan has been faithfully copied and interpreted from Sir Billi's trousers by Fiona Hall of Lochcarron's design department.
From the official register:
After over 3 years of development, fund raising and unrelenting determination, independent producers and creators from Glasgow Animation Ltd, have joined forces with Sir Sean Connery to form 'Billi Productions Ltd', which will produce Connery's first ever voice over role for an animated short feature film. Entitled 'Sir Billi the Vet' and due for completion early next summer, the short feature stars Sir Sean Connery in the lead role, with Tony award winner Alan Cumming co-starring and musical score by Oscar nominated composer and fellow Scot Patrick Doyle. Other voiceovers are provided by high profile actors such as Miriam Margolyes. Richard Briers, Ruby Wax and more. Sascha and Tessa Hartmann, the Scottish based husband and wife team / co-creators from Glasgow Animation fought to bring 'Sir Billi the Vet' to life for years. What began as an illustrated idea in black and white by Sascha Hartmann, has grown into a potentially very exciting animated property, which has been revealed with exclusive 'first look' imagery from the project. This tartan has been faithfully copied and interpreted from Sir Billi's trousers by Fiona Hall of Lochcarron's design department. Created from Sir Billi's tartan overalls.
To get a backstage view of the sound recording for the film and interview with Sean Connery, click the photograph from the film's premiere at the Sonoma Film Festival in San Francisco and see the Sir Billi tartan realized into some tartan trews and a bespoke tartan gown worn by director Sascha Hartmann and Dame Shirley Bassey respectively, click the photograph!