Britain has produced many remarkable cultural exports, from The Beatles to Bovril, and one of its finest is undoubtedly Wallace and Gromit. Often regarded as the pinnacle of claymation, this iconic duo has graced numerous short films and a feature-length movie over the years. For those eager to own a piece of this delightful entertainment, an extremely limited box set is set to release soon.
Only 5,000 copies of 'Wallace and Gromit: The Complete Cracking Collection' are being produced, priced at $120 ahead of its December 10 release. Inside, fans will find the first four Wallace and Gromit specials remastered in 4K on a UHD-format disc. For those without a 4K player, a standard Blu-ray disc includes all the shorts, along with 'The Curse of the Were-Rabbit' film and 'Cracking Contraptions,' a series of micro-episodes showcasing Wallace's inventive ideas.
The collection also features audio commentaries on all four short films, an interview with creators Nick Park and Peter Lord, a stills gallery, and several behind-the-scenes features. The box set itself is a collector's dream, resembling Wallace's signature suitcase and containing blueprints and stickers of his inventions. Just ensure that a certain nefarious penguin doesn't get his hands on it.
If you've never experienced a Wallace and Gromit adventure, you're in for a treat. The series began in 1989 with 'A Grand Day Out,' where the duo ventured to the moon in search of cheese. In 1993, they faced off against the notorious penguin Feathers McGraw in 'The Wrong Trousers.' The cheese-loving inventor and his dog returned in 1995's 'A Close Shave,' and in 2005, they made their big-screen debut. A short feature, 'A Matter of Loaf and Death,' followed in 2008.
Sadly, Wallace's original voice actor, Peter Sallis, passed away in 2017. However, the duo will return in 'Vengeance Most Fowl,' set to release on Netflix on December 25, 2024. Beyond Wallace and Gromit, Aardman Animation has produced other cult classics like 'Chicken Run' and the CGI-animated 'Flushed Away,' featuring Hugh Jackman and Sir Ian McKellen.
