Goodbye Blue Sky - Film Version

Film Version

In the film version, this segment is animated by Gerald Scarfe. It shows a white dove (which begins as live action) flying peacefully up only to suddenly explode gorily, torn apart by a black Nazi eagle (Reichsadler). This mechanical-looking giant bird of prey swoops menacingly around over the countryside, then grabs at the earth with its claws, ripping up a huge section and flying off leaving a trail of blood. It glides over England before leaving a bloated monster in the wake of its shadow, which then turns into a machine-like warlord releasing warplanes. Next, naked, gas-masked people (the frightened ones) are seen running about on all four limbs and hiding from the dangers of an air raid, possibly The Blitz. Finally, a Union Jack that fragments, turning into a bleeding cross, the Nazi eagle crashed and the dove flies right out of it (representing peace). The blood trailing away worthlessly down into the gutter and a drain, as a small twang sound similar to that of a banjo. This is one of the most dramatic animation segments in the film, with a clear anti-war message — and seemingly critical of the pillars of state's support for conflict. Unlike the album, this comes in after "When the Tigers Broke Free" and before "The Happiest Days of Our Lives".