The Lighthouse 

Watch this film on YouTube
Watch this film on Vimeo
The Lighthouse is set in a small sea-side village.  The lighthouse keeper is a curmudgeonly fellow who doesn't seem to approve of his neighbours.  However, when disaster strikes, it is these neighbours who come to his aid. ​

Reading and Discussion 

  • Opening scene, discuss the setting and the title - let children make predictions about the content.
  • Pause the film after the lighthousekeeper slams the window shut - what does he think about the people outside the window having fun?  Why does the author put this scene in? (to make you think the villagers are up to no good/untrustworthy)
  • How does the creator build up the tension in the film?
  • When the lighthousekeeper breaks the lamp, pause and discuss possible outcomes.
To watch this film on youtube click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HfBbSUORvo
For comprehension questions based on this film click here

Writing

  • Write a newspaper story of the event
  • Include interviews with lighthousekeeper, villagers and men from the boat.
  • Hot seating with lighthousekeeper.
  • Write some dialogue for the film.
  • create a story board of key events.
  • Write a recount of the events.
  • Write own story where the problem is solved in a different way
Harry from Mr Silver's Year 3 class wrote this amazing sentence about the Lighthouse.

"Suddenly, the bright lighthouse flickered away to darkness. Astonished, horrified and confused the villagers froze: they froze with no idea of what had happened... "  
Check out Braishfield Primary's Y5 responses to 'The Lighthouse' by clicking here.
Check out Moorfield Primary School's Y3/4 responses to 'The Lighthouse' by clicking here.

Check out Malsis School, North Yorkshire, year 6 responses to 'The Lighthouse by click here.

Alfie and Will made this version of the story of 'The Lighthouse' animation using Keynote.
Credits
Lighthouse (2008), animated short movie by Charlie Short and Ming Hsiung made for the Responsibility Project campaign for Liberty Mutual.
Animation director: Stefan Wernik. Technical director: Matt Ebb. Animators: Jeremy Davidson, Lee Salvemini.
Produced at ProMotion and Exopolis by Michael McCarthy and James Neale. Executive producers: Ernie Schenck, Bryan Sweeney, Scott Hainline.

© 2008 Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
 

The Lightkeeper

A ship is heading for the rocks, but the light house is not working.  The Lighthouse keeper tries in vain to get the lamp working in tragic circumstances.  Something unexpected happens and the light house becomes bright again.  This film is not as 'beautiful' as the 1st lighthouse film I put on here but it is certainly poignant