5/10
Senior Film Conservator

A definitive 5/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Case of the Lost Sheep remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Honestly, only if you're deep into animation history or just really, really love pies being thrown at faces. If you’re looking for a coherent story, you’re in the wrong place. If you enjoy seeing Humpty Dumpty as a motorcycle cop, then pull up a chair.
It’s the kind of short that feels like it was cooked up during a lunch break. Everything happens fast. Too fast.
The sheep aren't cute, by the way. They’re basically tiny, wooly delinquents. Seeing them outrun Oswald is just weirdly satisfying in a way I can't quite explain.
The whole motorcycle chase sequence feels like it goes on for an eternity. Or maybe just two minutes. It’s hard to tell when you're watching a cartoon where logic left the building about thirty seconds in. Those sheep have aim, though. You can’t deny their pie-throwing skills.
I found myself wondering why Humpty Dumpty is a cop. And why is he so fragile? If he hits a bump, he’s toast. The movie doesn't care, so I guess I shouldn't either.
It’s not as dark as I Accuse, obviously. It’s just fluff. But it’s weird fluff. The way the sheep gang up on the authorities is almost like a tiny revolution. I don't think Walter Lantz meant to make a political statement about wool, but here we are.
There's a moment near the middle where the rhythm just breaks completely. It feels like the editors ran out of ideas and just decided to add another pie. It works, though. It’s silly, it’s short, and it’s completely gone from your brain the second the credits roll. 🐑🥧