Was Chicken Run Based on the Holocaust? Exploring the Allegorical Elements

The 2000 stop-motion animated movie Chicken Run has gained a reputation over the years for possibly being an allegory for the Holocaust. At first glance, this theory may seem unlikely—after all, how could a funny kids’ movie about a bunch of chickens trying to get away from a farm be referencing one of the worst events in human history?—but there are some striking similarities between the two that suggest the Holocaust allegory idea shouldn’t be thrown out so quickly.

Similarities in Imagery and Plot

One of the most compelling pieces of evidence is the visual similarity between the chicken coops in the film and WWII concentration camps The coops are arranged in dense rows and surrounded by barbed wire fencing and guard towers, evoking the layout and architecture of camps like Auschwitz Even the tagging of the chickens with numbered bands around their legs seems inspired by the tattoo ID numbers given to prisoners.

In terms of the story, there are clear connections between what the chickens went through and what Holocaust victims went through. The chickens are portrayed as an underprivileged group on the farm, whose eggs are used by the humans as slave labor, similar to how Jews and other prisoners were used as slave labor. Their eventual plan to rebel and escape is similar to plans made by people in Nazi-occupied Europe to resist and escape.

Metaphorical and Symbolic References

Looking beyond the surface similarities, the film also contains some more subtle metaphorical references that further suggest a Holocaust inspiration. For instance, the character of Mrs. Tweedy seems symbolically linked to the role of Nazi leaders; her angular facial features, severe costume design, and authoritarian personality are reminiscent of fascist figures from WWII propaganda.

There’s also a noticeable visual emphasis on her heavy black boots, likely meant to evoke the boots worn by Nazi officers and soldiers. Boots held particular significance after the war as a symbol of oppression and violence.

A Response to Holocaust Education Failures?

In a deeper reading, Chicken Run could potentially be seen as a creative response to perceived failures in Holocaust education. By presenting this difficult history in the more accessible form of an animated allegory, the film could help introduce younger generations to concepts like totalitarianism, ethnic oppression, and collective resistance.

The lighter tone makes the subject matter approachable for children, while the darker undercurrents provide lessons about dangerous societal dynamics that can lead to atrocity. It allows viewers to grasp the core human rights issues at stake, without traumatizing them with graphic historical imagery.

Ambiguous Intent from the Filmmakers

Of course, without explicit confirmation from the writers and directors, the Holocaust allegory remains open to interpretation. There are alternative theories that Chicken Run was actually inspired by WWII prisoner of war films like The Great Escape instead of the Holocaust specifically.

It’s also possible that the similarities to the Holocaust are mostly due to using common wartime images instead of a deliberate attempt to use that history in a symbolic way. There is still some disagreement about whether the creators meant to add this hidden meaning.

A Worthwhile Cinematic Device Regardless of Intent

In the end, the Holocaust allegory reading makes Chicken Run a better work of art, no matter what the original intention was behind the images and story. Even if the similarities weren’t meant to be there or were caused by other war movies, they still let the movie work on more than one level.

Children can enjoy it as a straightforward tale of rebellious chickens, while adults pick up on the thought-provoking historical allusions. This makes the film highly satisfying for both family viewing and deeper analysis. So while the question of deliberate allegory remains open ended, the resonance with Holocaust history elevates Chicken Run as a cinematic achievement.