Mia Patel
In the 2000 comedy-adventure film Chicken Run, a group of chickens trapped on a farm in 1950s England try to escape their impending deaths by learning to fly. The movie features a memorable quote by the character King Julien, who asks, How's a chicken supposed to run around without a head? In reality, a chicken's brain stem and cerebellum extend into the neck, so even if a chicken's head is chopped off, it can still run around in a flap due to nerve impulses. This phenomenon was famously observed in 'Miracle Mike the Headless Chicken,' who lived for 18 months after losing his head.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genre | Animation, Adventure, Comedy |
| Plot | Chickens on a farm plot to escape their imprisonment and avoid being turned into pies by the farm owners, Mr. and Mrs. Tweedy. |
| Setting | A sinister chicken farm in 1955/1960s England |
| Main Characters | Ginger, Bunty, Babs, Fowler, Rocky the Rooster, Mr. and Mrs. Tweedy |
| Reference to Maurice | King Julien's advisor, Maurice, makes a joke about a "footless chicken" in the movie, to which King Julien responds, "Headless chicken, Your Majesty. How's a chicken supposed to run around without a head?" |
Explore related products
![Chicken Run [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/716BAI5N6zL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![Chicken Run [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71NayUvSziL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
'Chicken Run' movie plot
Chicken Run is a 2000 animated adventure comedy film directed by Peter Lord and Nick Park. The film is set in the countryside of Yorkshire and centres on a group of British anthropomorphic chickens who live on an egg farm. The farm is run by the cruel Mrs Tweedy and her submissive husband, Mr Tweedy, who kill and eat any chicken that is no longer able to lay eggs. Led by the rebellious Ginger, the chickens constantly devise new ways to escape but are always caught.
One night, Ginger sees an American rooster named Rocky Rhodes fly over the farm's fences and crash-land. The chickens help him and hide him from the Tweedys, who have been promised a reward by Rocky's owner for his return. Inspired by Rocky's apparent flying abilities, Ginger asks him to teach her and the other chickens to fly so they can escape. Rocky is reluctant but eventually agrees to try to help. Meanwhile, Mr Tweedy begins assembling a pie-making production line, and the chickens' food rations are doubled to fatten them. After Ginger and Rocky argue, Rocky holds a morale-boosting dance party, during which it is revealed that his wing is healed.
As Mr Tweedy finishes assembling the machine, he puts Ginger in it for a test run. Just in time, Ginger is inspired by elderly rooster Fowler’s stories of his time in the Royal Air Force (RAF) to assemble an aircraft to flee the farm. All the chickens, with help from the rats, secretly assemble the required parts for the plane while racing against Mr. Tweedy's repairs. While travelling the countryside, Rocky sees a billboard for Mrs. Tweedy's Chicken Pies and is inspired to go back to help. The chickens knock Mr. Tweedy out and tie him up, completing the assembly of their plane. As the plane approaches the take-off ramp, Mr Tweedy knocks over the ramp, but Ginger resets it. Mrs Tweedy attacks Ginger, but she is subdued by Rocky, who escapes with Ginger by holding onto the runway lights, which are snagged by the departing plane.
Chicken and Broccoli: A Healthy, Low-Fat Combo
You may want to see also
Explore related products
How chickens run without their heads
In popular culture, there is a common reference to chickens running around without their heads, often used to describe someone who is busy doing a lot of things in a panicked or disorganised way. This phrase originates from the idea that a chicken can indeed move around for a short period after its head has been cut off.
There are a few reasons why a chicken may appear to run without its head. Firstly, it is important to note that a chicken's brain extends fairly deep into what might be considered its neck. So, when a chicken is decapitated, it is possible that only the top half of the brain is severed, leaving the bottom half, including the brain stem, still intact. The brain stem controls basic life functions such as breathing and heartbeat, so a chicken with an intact brain stem can still stand, walk, and perform other simple movements.
Additionally, the pressure of the axe or blade used to decapitate the chicken triggers nerve endings in the neck, sending electrical signals to the muscles and causing them to move. This can result in the chicken appearing to flap its wings and run around, even though it is already dead. This phenomenon is known as a "reflex action".
In some rare cases, chickens have been known to survive for extended periods without their heads. One famous example is Miracle Mike, a chicken that lived for 18 months after his head was chopped off. In this case, the farmer accidentally aimed too high, leaving part of the brain still functioning, which allowed the chicken to survive.
While it may seem amusing or bizarre to imagine a chicken running without its head, it is important to remember that this is not a pleasant experience for the chicken, and proper techniques should be used to ensure a quick and humane death when slaughtering chickens.
Penn & Teller's Gorilla Trick: How Do They Do It?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Maurice - The Merchant Ivory Collection [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/5129RJRHejL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
'Chicken Run' characters
The 2000 animated comedy film "Chicken Run" features a range of memorable characters, both chicken and human. The story centres on a group of British anthropomorphic chickens who must escape their farm when their owners, the Tweedys, plan to turn them into chicken pies.
The main character is Ginger, a determined and clever chicken who acts as the group's leader. She devises a plan to escape the farm and enlists the help of an American rooster named Rocky Rhodes, who becomes her love interest. Rocky is a confident and brash character, who also has a softer side. The chickens also include Babs, Bunty, and Mac, who each have distinct looks and personalities.
The main antagonists of the film are Mr. and Mrs. Tweedy, the farmers who own the chickens. Mrs. Tweedy, in particular, is described as "the personification of evil" and is a thoroughly interesting character. The chickens must work together to escape the farm and defeat the Tweedys.
The upcoming sequel, "Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget," features some returning characters, including Babs, Bunty, and Mac, now voiced by Nick Mohammed, Josie Sedgwick-Davies, and Romesh Ranganathan, respectively. The sequel also introduces new characters, such as Dr. Fry and Frizzle, who are voiced by Nick Mohammed and Josie Sedgwick-Davies.
Chick Webb: Harlem Renaissance's Musical Legend
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$4.99 $5.36
$7.67 $9.98
'Chicken Run' ending
The ending of the 2000 comedy adventure film "Chicken Run" is as gripping as the rest of the movie. The chickens, led by Ginger, finally finish building their plane just as Mr. Tweedy completes the repairs of the deadly pie machine. They launch a revolt, tying up Mr. Tweedy and preparing for their escape. However, as they are about to take off, Mr. Tweedy breaks free and knocks down the ramp, creating another hurdle for the chickens. Ginger jumps down to fix the ramp, but Mrs. Tweedy arrives with an axe and attacks her. Just when it seems like all hope is lost, Rocky the Rooster, who had previously inspired the chickens to learn to fly, returns. He hits Mrs. Tweedy in the face, allowing Ginger and Rocky to escape. As the plane takes off, Mrs. Tweedy grabs onto some lights caught on the landing gear, weighing down the plane. Ginger cuts the lights, and Mrs. Tweedy falls to her presumed death. The chickens finally escape the farm and their fate as chicken pies.
The movie ends on a positive note, with the chickens successfully escaping their cruel fate and finding freedom. This conclusion is a satisfying resolution to the challenges and dangers they faced throughout the film. The all-female cast is determined and brave in their mission, making the ending a triumphant one. The film is a unique take on the prison escape genre, with homages to classic films like "The Great Escape" and "The Shawshank Redemption".
The ending of "Chicken Run" also sets up a potential sequel, as the two rodents at the end of the credits discuss starting their own chicken farm. This lighthearted moment adds a touch of humor to the conclusion of the film and leaves the audience with a smile.
Overall, the ending of "Chicken Run" is a perfect blend of adventure, comedy, and emotion, providing a satisfying conclusion to the story of a determined group of chickens fighting for their freedom.
Butchering Chickens: A Step-by-Step Guide to Doing It Right
You may want to see also
Explore related products
'Chicken Run' critical reception
The 2000 stop-motion animated film "Chicken Run" received positive critical reception. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a 97% rating, with famed movie critic Roger Ebert giving it three and a half stars and describing it as a "magical new animated film that looks and sounds like no other". The film has also been compared to Nick Park's "Wallace & Gromit", with critics praising the voice acting, slapstick humour, and action sequences. Additionally, "Chicken Run" has been described as heart-warming and amusing entertainment that children will enjoy.
Despite being a critical and commercial success, "Chicken Run" was denied an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. This sparked controversy, as many believed that the film deserved recognition for its achievements in animation. As a result of this snub, the Academy created the Best Animated Feature category, which was first awarded to "Shrek" in 2002.
The "Chicken Run" crew consisted of 200 people at its peak, with up to thirty different sets running simultaneously. Each set had its own animator and technical crew, and a good week of work resulted in six seconds of finished footage. DreamWorks recognised the film's potential and promoted it heavily, contributing to its success.
The success of "Chicken Run" led to the release of a sequel, "Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget", 23 years later. The sequel received a positive critical reception, with reviewers noting its retro, handmade spirit and visible thumbprints, characteristic of Aardman's animation style. It also incorporated some technological advances, such as CGI, to fill out large flocks of birds in certain shots. While the script had fewer avian-themed puns and lacked the edginess of contemporary cartoons, it included cheeky nods to other films like "The Lion King", "The Truman Show", and "Toy Story 3". "Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget" currently holds a Certified Fresh ranking of 78% on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metascore of 64.
Identifying Chick Gender: A Quick Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
"Chicken Run" is an animated comedy adventure movie about a group of chickens who are trapped on a farm and want to escape. The farm owners, Mr. and Mrs. Tweedy, plan to turn them into pies if they don't produce any eggs for a week. The chickens' only hope of escape is to learn how to fly.
The main characters in "Chicken Run" are Ginger, the 'head chick' who plots the escape, and Rocky, the 'flying rooster' who helps the chickens escape. Other characters include Fowler, Bunty, and Babs.
In one scene, King Julien asks, "How's a chicken supposed to run around without a head?", to which Maurice replies, "Headless chicken, Your Majesty." This is a reference to the fact that chickens can sometimes continue to run for a short period after their heads have been chopped off due to nerve impulses.
Yes, there is merchandise related to this scene, such as a t-shirt with the phrase "Footless Chicken Without A Head I'm Not A Chicken Maurice."
