MOTU Stock animation comparison (WARNING: Gif heavy thread)

[D.M.]

Comparison of stock animation from Tarzan (1976), Flash Gordon (1979) and He-Man (1983).

-Laughing (the play speed has been tampered with so all 3 would be in sync with one another ):


Tarzan and Ming are identical. Skeletor has been modified - slightly different angle, and more frames for the head animation for cackling movement (not depicted here).

-Running past camera:



For He-Man, new animations were made at a lower frame rate.

-Running and jumping out of the frame:


New, more heroic animation was made for He-Man.

-Landing:



Front view animation was absent from Flash Gordon. The rear view animation of Flash was apparently rushed, like much of the series (the creation of the show was sudden after the network executives highly positive reaction to the animated movie "Greatest adventure of all").

[Jyrki]

Interesting comparison

[Battle Ram Man]

That's really cool, nice work! It makes me want to watch those old Flash Gordon and Tarzan shows. Are they any good?

[D.M.]

Tarzan is quite good. It's the first Filmation show to have the Filmation look than we know today.
Though it has a weird oddity - namely, it doesn't feature any black people. Whether or not this was some weird network mandate, it remains unknown.

Flash Gordon the series is also quite good. However, as mentioned, due to sudden decision to create the show, it was very rushed. Its second season had weaker stories.

[_RZ_]

"greatest adventure of all" is awesome. One of the best animated movies of the 70's. Never seen Tarzan.

[D.M.]

And THE BEST adaptation of Flash Gordon of all times.

[D.M.]

-Big cat jumping over camera:


As you can see, Battlecat has a frame rate drop when he jumps (same goes for Panthor). While the speed here was adjusted to match the animation from Tarzan, in MOTU cartoon, it looks sped up, which gives you a sense that the character in question has super strength.

-Big cat running:

[Mechanizor]

Thanks for sharing DM, this is some interesting material that I never thought of before!

[D.M.]

Forgot all about the landing animation from Blackstar (1981) until James Eatock brought it up soooo here it is:


Animated at a lower frame rate.

And now moaaarrr big cats animations - standing up:

[Battle Ram Man]

The way they reuse that animation is really ingenious. Cheap, but ingenious

[Nankeiro]

Thanks a lot for these comparisons. The whole process for me, is respectful. This artists showed us real animation art work! Filmation was awesome.