This is the original 6 minute short film which the film "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" is based on. It is shot in black and white, and it is constructed to simulate the first chapter in a 12 part serial like the ones from the 30s and 40s. Much of the visual style of the film is based on the old serials; in this respect the 6 minute short is much closer to the "source material" than the feature film. I found myself wishing they had simply made the remaining chapters in the same style as the short, though I also enjoy "Sky Captain". Considering that this film was made on home PCs by dedicated artists who expected no pay, this film looks pretty darn good, the quality is comparable to the old 1940s features which were quite expensive at their time. Those who think this is easy to accomplish should try making a film on their own and see if they can convince their local cable access station to broadcast it, much less Paramount to finance a film version.
I particularly like the montage sequence with the people raising their hands in the air, a sequence I believe was "inspired" by several other films. Regardless of the source, the effect is both thrilling and nostalgic. I also particularly enjoy the scene with the radio waves introducing "Sky Captain". This scene was shortened considerably for the feature version; perhaps audiences would have found it odd but I think the way Conran did it here is quite interesting and unusual.
