Ray Bradbury and George Clayton Johnson adapted Ray’s short story “Icarus Montgolfier Wright” into a screenplay for an animated short. Animation studio Format Films produced the film in 1962.  Joseph Mugnaini created the artwork for the 18-minute film.

Directed by:  Osmond Evans

Screenplay by:  Ray Bradbury and George Clayton Johnson

Narrated by:  James Whitmore and Ross Martin

Produced by:  Jules Engel (Format Films)

Artist/Animator:  Joe Mugnaini

Ray’s story of the first manned flight to the moon is depicted with surprising accuracy seven years before the Apollo mission rocketed into history. Ross Martin and James Whitmore gave voice to a poetic journey punctuated by Mugnaini’s stunning visuals. Icarus Montgolfier Wright was an animated gem.

The unique nature of Icarus caught the attention of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, and it was nominated for an Academy Award in 1962.