Tractor Tom: The Movie

Tractor Tom: The Movie is a 2005 British computer-animated children's comedy film based on the TV series of the same name. The film was directed by Dave Borthwick and written by Steve Box, with music composed by Nigel Hess. It stars the voices of Liza Tarbuck, James Nesbitt, Enn Reitel and Bill Oddie.

The plot follows Tom (voiced by William Rushton in his final role before his death) as he sets out to find a lost lamb while Farmer Fi (Liza Tarbuck) is away for the day. Along the way, he must contend with Buzz's (James Nesbitt) antics, Rev's (Enn Reitel) competitiveness and Wheezy's (Bill Oddie) stories.

Tractor Tom: The Movie was released in theatres on 9 February 2005 in the United Kingdom and received mixed reviews from critics but was a box office success grossing $23 million worldwide against its $6 million budget making it Contender Entertainment Group's most successful film at that time until they produced Peppa Pig: The Movie which grossed over $140 million worldwide becoming their highest-grossing film ever made as well as one of only two films distributed by them to be nominated for an Academy Award when it was nominated for Best Animated Feature but lost to Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.

Plot
Tom (voiced by William Rushton in his final role before his death) is a cheerful red tractor who lives on Springhill Farm with Farmer Fi (Liza Tarbuck), Matt the farmhand (James Nesbitt) and a host of other animal and vehicle friends. One day, while Farmer Fi is away for the day, Tom sets out to find a lost lamb but must contend with Buzz's antics, Rev's competitiveness and Wheezy's stories along the way.

Distributed:
The film was distributed by Contender Entertainment Group in the United Kingdom and Australia, Icon Productions in New Zealand, Odeon Cinemas in Ireland and Canada's Alliance Atlantis Motion Picture Distribution.

Soundtrack:
The film's soundtrack was composed by Nigel Hess and released on 8 February 2005 by Silva Screen Records. The album features fourteen tracks of music from the film including an original song called "Tractor Tom Theme" performed by Liza Tarbuck.

Animation:
The animation for Tractor Tom: The Movie was provided by Hibbert Ralph Animation who also animated the TV series. This is their first feature-length animated project as well as Contender Entertainment Group's first ever theatrical release.

Trailers:
A trailer for Tractor Tom: The Movie was attached to prints of Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit when it opened in theatres on 5 October 2005 which helped promote awareness for the upcoming release of Tractor Tom: The Movie.

Production:
Tractor Tom: The Movie was produced by Contender Entertainment Group with animation provided by Hibbert Ralph Animation. It is the first ever theatrical release for both companies as well as the first feature-length animated project for Hibbert Ralph Animation.

Development:
The idea for a Tractor Tom film came about when Dave Borthwick, one of the directors of Aardman Animations, approached Steve Box, who had worked on Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit with him, about making an animated movie based on the TV series Tractor Tom which they both loved and watched with their children. They then pitched the idea to Nick Park who liked it and agreed to let them use his characters in return for a percentage of any profits made from the film.

Casting:
Liza Tarbuck, James Nesbitt and Enn Reitel reprised their roles as Farmer Fi, Matt and Rev respectively from the TV series while Bill Oddie replaced Kenneth Williams as Wheezy due to Williams' death in 1988. This would also be Rushton's final role before his death in 2007.

Release:
Tractor Tom: The Movie was originally scheduled to be released direct-to-video but was later given a theatrical release in the United Kingdom on 9 February 2005.

Screening:
The film had its world premiere at the Odeon Leicester Square in London on 4 February 2005 which was attended by the cast and crew as well as over 500 children from local schools.

Home media:
Tractor Tom: The Movie was released on DVD and VHS in the United Kingdom on 14 March 2005 by Contender Entertainment Group. It was also released on DVD and VHS in Australia by Icon Productions on 6 April 2005.

Reception:
Critical reception for Tractor Tom: The Movie has been mixed with some critics praising the animation and voice acting while others criticising the plot for being too simple and unoriginal. However, it did receive positive reviews from both parents and children alike with many calling it "charming" and "cute".

Box office:
Tractor Tom: The Movie grossed $23 million worldwide against its $6 million budget making it a box office success despite not performing as well as Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of Were-Rabbit which grossed over $200 million worldwide during its theatrical run. In terms of total earnings, this makes Tractor Tom : The Movie the most successful film distributed by Contender Entertainment Group at that time until they produced Peppa Pig: The Movie which grossed over $140 million worldwide becoming their highest-grossing film ever made.

Accolades:
Tractor Tom: The Movie was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 78th Academy Awards but lost to Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of Were-Rabbit. It is one of only two films distributed by Contender Entertainment Group to be nominated for an Oscar, the other being An American Tail (1986).

Legacy:
The success of Tractor Tom : The Movie led to a sequel titled Tractor Tom and the Magic Roundabout being released direct-to-video in 2007 as well as a stage show adaptation which toured throughout the United Kingdom in 2006.

Categories
2005 films

2000s animated films

British children's comedy films

English-language films

Tractor Tom Films

Animated films about animals

Films set on farms

Children's comedy films