In an entertaining dispute, Princess Europa and Zeus discuss why their children – the European nations – fought for centuries. After 2.500 years of history filled with wars and national rivalries, the European countries have finally decided to find a peaceful and promising solution: the establishment of the European Communities. The six member states are now – continuing the metaphor – on their way to become a healthy and strong family.
‘Europa’, sponsored by the Information Service of the European Communities, was created to explain to American audiences the history of Europe’s economics and its common market. According to an article in ‘Business Screen Magazine’ (July 1962), the animation film was seen by six million people in eight months in 1962. ‘Europa’ was considered for an Oscar nomination.
The German and French version differ slightly in comment and sequences.

Genre
Animation Film

Credits
Production Country: USA
Film Production Company: Pelican Film
Commissioning Institution: Information Service of the European Communities

Director: Ted Lowry
Producer: Unknown
Script: Unknown
Cinematography: Unknown
Film Editing: Unknown
Music: Bernardo Segáll
Animation: Bob Ferry
Commentary: Unknown
Commentator: Unknown

Technical Information
Original Film Format: 16 mm / 35 mm
Duration: 10 minutes
Colour: Colour

European History, European Communities, USA

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French, German

Video

Audiovisual Library of the European Commission, Brussels / Bundesarchiv Filmarchiv, Berlin

The film was digitised from the copy located at the Audiovisual Library of the European Commission, Brussels.