Puppetry is an ancient art form with roots in many cultures around the world. It is no surprise then, that puppetry has become one of the best tools in a filmmaker’s playbook for creating fantastical characters, pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable, and capturing the imagination of an audience.
When it comes to the Silver Screen, there is of course one type of puppet that immediately springs to mind. The Muppets have dominated the box office with movies in five different decades from the 1970s to the 2010s. Whether it is their charming adaptations or their stand-alone capers, their movies are what most people think of when it comes to puppets. But there are many other moments of outstanding puppetry in cinema, and this list is just a small fraction of the best of the best, from a puppeteer’s viewpoint.
I have worked on puppetry productions big and small all over the world, and I know the skill it takes to make a bit of cloth or wood come alive. Here are five of the very best examples of puppetry talent you will find on film today.
5. Being John Malkovich
This cerebral cult classic was a staple for DVD bargain buckets at the turn of the 21st century. Spike Jonze’s quirky sensibilities lend themselves well to the world of puppetry. The plot revolves around John Cusack’s Street performing puppeteer gaining control of the Hollywood actor John Malkovich’s body.
The theorist Edward Gordon Craig talked about the perfect actor being an uber-marionette. And this is what this movie does perfectly. It takes puppetry and uses it as a metaphor symbolizing what it means to be in control of our own lives and destinies.
Marionettes are a very traditional form of puppetry, and they are famously hard to master. The puppetry on display is a little rough around the edges, but deliberately so. It draws attention to the puppeteer and the puppetry, always making sure the audience knows there is someone pulling the strings – which is a beautiful metaphor for the movie’s plot.
If you like a movie that makes you think, then Being John Malkovich should definitely go on your to-watch list.
4. Team America: World Police
Anyone else just sing “America! F**K Yeah!” No? Just me? Alrighty then.
Another marionette movie makes the list. This one, however, leans into the limitations of the form and makes the most of the jerky motions. But don’t let the style trick you. There's some ingenious puppetry on display here. There are very few full-feature movies that are all marionette work and that is because usually the style translates poorly to film (Check out Strings for example). The camera is fantastic at capturing the subtle gesture, a lift of an eyebrow, the slightest of smirks and that is not something a marionette can do well.
But here the South Park creators are not at all interested in subtlety. They want big belly laughs and that is what they deliver.
By fully embracing what a marionette is good at, they create some clever and fun sequences that live in your imagination. Who doesn’t want to see a puppet throw up endlessly?
Looking back, it is clear to see that some of the humor has dated quite badly, but the puppetry holds up. And it's a great example of the theory that if the performers are having a good time, the audience will have a good time too.
3. Labyrinth
Ok, there are no muppets, but that doesn’t mean there is no Jim Henson. Henson’s work in the 80s is unparalleled in its ambitious world-building. The characters in the Labyrinth live on in the imagination of the viewer almost as much as David Bowie’s crotch hugging outfit. Whether Hoggle, Sir Didymus or William the Worm is your favourite, there is no doubt in each puppets ability to capture your heart. In many ways the puppets in this film carry more emotion than their real-life counterparts.
There are some stunning sequences too. The Helping hands are equally terrifying as they are inventive. If you haven’t seen the movie, then this sequence alone is a wonderful example of an ensemble of puppeteers working together to great effect.
2. Gravity
Wait, what? The Sandra Bullock and George Clooney movie?
Yup.
But there’s no puppets in that.
Ahh but this is a list of the best puppetry in film, not the best puppets.
OH – You are a clever and devilishly handsome chap. Go on explain more…
That is how I imagine our conversation would go if I was in the pub telling you this list. Because of course there are no puppets in this movie, but there are puppeteers. All cleverly green screened out of shot - but they are there.
The puppeteers were used to make everything weightless in the film, including the actors. That’s right. When you see this film and you wonder how George Clooney’s tooshie is floating in mid-air – it is because there is a puppeteer delicately shifting it around the space. The puppeteers worked seamlessly with the actors to create the sense of weightlessness. Multiple puppeteers held up the Hollywood stars, maneuvering them around the set in every shot you see.
In some ways, knowing this and watching the behind-the-scenes footage only increases your pleasure for this great space film.
1. The Empire Strikes Back
When a puppet works, it can transcend the movie and take on a life of its own. Yoda is one of those characters. Frank Oz, the master puppeteer who brought him to life, created a character so unique and beloved that it is still being imitated to this day. Or should I say, imitated to this day it is.
The voice acting alone steals the number one spot here. Frank Oz committed to the idiosyncratic speech and brought it to life. The puppet itself seems a little inflexible at points, but that only adds to the mystery of the alien. At no point do you question the existence of the puppet because Frank has worked so hard bringing him to life.
While there are many wonderful creatures in the Star Wards Universe, I don’t think any come close in terms of dedication and skill to Frank Oz’s legend making turn as the little green Jedi Master.
About the Author: Ross MacKay is a puppetry director whose productions have received a critics pick from the New York Times, a Scotsman Fringe First, and many other international accolades.
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