From Book to Film 2024: Shrek (2001)
Director: Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson Run Time: 90 min. Rating: PG Release Year: 2001
Starring: Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, John Lithgow, Mike Myers, Vincent Cassel
Country: United States
Language: English
From Book to Film at Gateway Film Center
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About the film:
It’s the greatest fairy tale never told! It ain’t easy bein’ green – especially if you’re a likable (albeit smelly) ogre named Shrek. On a mission to retrieve a gorgeous princess from the clutches of a fire-breathing dragon, Shrek teams up with an unlikely compatriot – a wisecracking donkey.
“a lively romp for kids and an enormously clever comedy for adults… standing every fairy tale convention on its head”
—Todd McCarthy, Variety
Loosely based on the children’s book by William Steig, Shrek (2001) marks the incredible debut feature for first-time directors Andrew Adamson – a veteran visual effects supervisor – and Vicky Jenson – an art director and storyboard artist.
Loved by critics and audiences alike, Shrek (2001) competed for the Palme d’Or at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival, and went on to win numerous accolades, including the first ever Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film. Now regarded as one of the most influential 3D animated films of all time, it was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the U.S. Library of Congress in 2020.
About the filmmakers:
Andrew Adamson is a New Zealand film director, producer, and screenwriter. After honing his skills as a digital animator, he served as visual effects supervisor on feature films such as William Dear’s Angels in the Outfield (1994), Batman Forever (1995), and Peter Jackson’s The Frighteners (1996). Along with directing DreamWorks’ groundbreaking 3D animated features Shrek (2001) and Shrek 2 (2004), Adamson helmed Disney’s feature films The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) and The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008), and continued to serve as a producer or executive producer on later films in both franchises.
Vicky Jenson is an American film director, art director, and storyboard artist. She began her career working on popular animated series for Hanna Barbera, Filmation, Marvel, Disney TV and Warner Bros. Some of her early feature film credits include art direction on Ferngully: The Last Rainforest (1992), production design on The Road to El Dorado (2000), and story artist on Chicken Run (2000). After making her feature directorial debut with Shrek (2001), Jenson directed the Academy Award-nominated Shark Tale (2004) and her live-action feature debut Post Grad (2009). She also directed the short film Family Tree (2003) which premiered at Sundance and won a Special Jury Award at the 2003 SXSW Film Festival.
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