Mars Attacks!

A pair of original puppet hands from the production of Mars Attacks!, the 1996 science fiction picture directed by Tim Burton.

Originally the Martian creatures were to be bought to life using traditional stop motion animation techniques with Burton taking inspiration from the films of animation legend Ray Harryhausen, however due to time and budget constraints they were ultimately realised via computer generated imagery provided by leading effects house Industrial Light & Magic (ILM). 

This pair of original puppet hands were custom made for the production by master puppet makers Mackinnon & Saunders who produced a number of stop motion puppets for the production which were filmed but not used in the final cut and later used as reference by animators at ILM. Ian Mackinnon & Peter Saunders retained design credit and a number of their staff remain credited on the picture, the company would later go on to collaborate with Tim Burton on Corpse Bride and Frankenweenie. This Martian puppet body is constructed from foam rubber over an internal ball, socket and wire armature which allowed it to be posed as required, this example ultimately remained unpainted and unused during filming.

The body measures approximately 8" long and remains in stable condition with the very thin foam which once covered the hands having deteriorated revealing the armature, the main body remains supple to the touch with minor loss to the shoulder, otherwise fine.

A very rare and highly displayable artefact from this cult picture.