National Film Vault

FILM NOTES

DreamWorks Animation released Shrek in May 2001, positioning it as a direct challenge to Disney's dominance in feature animation. Directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson, the film adapted William Steig's picture book into a fractured fairy tale that earned the inaugural Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Its irreverent humor and pioneering CGI work marked a turning point for the medium and for mainstream animation broadly.

This cell, titled Donkey, captures Eddie Murphy's beloved character in a dimly lit interior space, with wicker and basket textures framing the scene. The three consecutive frames originate from a single unbroken shot, offering a rare glimpse into the film's quieter, more atmospheric moments built around Donkey's expressive presence.