Elegant and beguiling, Zipi y Zape y la Isla del Capitán: El cuento del Capitán is a homage to a forgotten art; a classically conceived animated fairytale by Spanish directorCarlos Salgado. Running just three minutes in length there is so much to relish here, a single viewing barely does it justice. With striking visuals, poignant narrative and a lesson to be learnt, this animation is meant to be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

El Cuento Del Capitán, or The Captain’s Tale, is set on a beautiful island, where the titular Captain, a naval engineer, leads a peaceful, happy life with his family. But when tragedy strikes, a guilt-ridden Captain vows to fulfill his young daughter’s every wish, condemning him to a life’s work of achieving the impossible.

Part of a live action, feature length film, Zip and Zap And The Captain’s Island (2016), this piece came about when director Oskar Santos asked for a short animation, to enhance the mysteries of the island. Salgado was happy to oblige, creating The Captain’s Tale. The animation director stayed true to the aesthetic of Santos’ film by creating “a combination of finesse, visual strength and a clear and fluid narrative”, he recalls.

Whilst the feature film has received a range of mixed reviews, the short animation is delightful. Right from the start, the pace jolts into top gear, making it almost impossible to catch everything from the first watch. Narrated by the kind of voice one could spend endless hours listening to, and every frame a work of art, worthy of hanging on a wall, the animation possesses the quality of a literary masterpiece. It’s a fantasy come to life from the pages of a book. With its intricate visuals, this classic tale is an exquisite rebuke to those who insist on the primacy of 3D animation.

What is truly magical about The Captain’s Tale is its power to transport the viewer to a different time and place. For me, I was instantly my childhood self, watching in silent awe, hypnotised by the unexplainable beauty. Simultaneously, the takeaway here is rather grownup –  an important life lesson aimed at parents, rather than children. This universal appeal makes Santos’ short animation live and breathe on its own and an absolute pleasure to watch. My only critique? I wish there was more of it.