The pirate ship from Bristol-based Aardman Animations' new pirate-themed movie -The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists – is to drop anchor in the Harbourside foyer of M Shed, a move certain to boost the number of visitors to Bristol's newest museum which is housed in the landmark 1950s transit sheds at Prince’s Wharf. The museum tells the history of Bristol and has attracted more than 450,000 visitors since opening last June.
Its latest exhibit will arrive on April 3, shortly after Pirates goes on general release. Councillor Simon Cook, Bristol's deputy leader and executive member for culture, said: "We're delighted to have Aardman's pirate ship. It was designed and built in Bristol and just looking at it you can see the amazing skills and creative talents of the many people behind the film. I am sure it will be a huge success and expect thousands of film goers will want to come to M Shed to see the ship for themselves."
The ship – 4.2 metre-long with a mast reaching 4.6 metres high – was completely hand-crafted by Bristol-based company Cod Steaks which glued approximately 30,000 lentils (which make rivets) onto its hull. The ship comprises 44,569 parts. It took 5,000 hours of development and ended up weighing 770 pounds. Visitors will be able to get up close and see the buxom figurehead that has lost its original head and been replaced by the head of Neptune with some painted-on lipstick. Also on view is the captain's own garden on the poop deck, where he keeps his collection of cacti. Household items such as a cricket bat and broom collected by the pirates hold the ship together.
The film will have a charity premiere in Bristol on March 25 in aid of Wallace & Gromit's Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children's Hospital Charity, before going on general release on March 28.
