War Story (1989)

Anyone remember Derek Guyler? Well that was my first thought when I saw this Aardman version of WWII veteran Bill Perry’s reminiscences of life amidst the blackouts. I reckon it’s fair to say that Mr. Perry would have made quite a good fisherman as his stories become more and more entertainingly embellished as he gets into his stride. He was an air-raid warden in Bristol during the conflict but much of this focuses on just how he got to this important position; how he met and married his wife and then moved into an house that was built on an old mine. Keeping the gravy on his plate whilst the table is at a 45° angle didn’t give their crockery or his stomach much chance. As he gently puffs on his pipe and with his wife giving him the odd cue, this is probably my favourite of any of the characters created by Messrs Lord and Park. The personification of Mr. Perry is exaggerated, and of course there is the obligatory tank top, but there is lots of fun from the dialogue and for anyone watching who remembers the days when the coal man was the most essential delivery of the week, there is plenty to raise a smile.