The Toymaker (film)
Nazi officers face animated dolls in a supernatural horror prequel.
The Toymaker (also released as Robert and the Toymaker) is a 2017 British supernatural horror film written and directed by Andrew Jones. It serves as a prequel to the 2015 film *Robert* and the 2016 film *The Curse of Robert the Doll*, making it the third movie in the Robert the Doll series. The story takes place in Nazi Germany in 1941, where a rogue SS officer named Benjamin Hoffman steals a powerful occult book that can bring inanimate objects to life. He hides it in the village of Rosenheim, where it falls into the hands of Amos Blackwood, a reclusive toymaker. Using the book’s rituals, Amos brings several dolls and wooden toys to life, including the terrifying Robert the Doll, who becomes the protector of his workshop. The SS, led by Colonel Reinhard, tracks the book to the toyshop. During a search, an officer discovers Robert moving on his own and is later found dead, his eyes gouged out and body dismembered by Robert and the other animated toys. A treacherous assistant, lured by Nazi promises, betrays Amos. The SS storms the shop, arrests Amos, and seizes the book, intending to create an army of living weapons. Robert, hidden and watching, begins a bloody rampage of revenge. That night, Robert and the other toys infiltrate the SS base. They kill a guard by slashing his throat with a sharpened toy blade, ambush another soldier with a miniature bayonet, torture one Nazi with toy tools, and set another on fire with an exploding mechanical bear. The dolls use their small size to move through air vents and tight corridors, attacking from unexpected angles. Colonel Reinhard tries to use the book’s magic himself, but it backfires; the toys turn on him, with Robert slicing his abdomen open and pulling him apart. Amos is rescued by his creations and flees into the countryside, the book back in his possession. Robert and the other toys surround him protectively, their eyes gleaming with life and menace, suggesting the horrors are far from over.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Andrew Jones
- Producer
- Lee Bane / Andrew Jones / Rebecca Graham
- Starring
- Erick Hayden / Jo Weil / Nathan Head / Lee Bane / Sophie Willis
- Cinematography
- Jonathan McLaughlin
- Music
- Bobby Cole
- Studio
- North Bank Entertainment
- Distributor
- 4Digital Media / Take One / Great Movies / Frighten Entertainment / Sony Pictures Home Entertainment / Red Square / Encripta
- Released
- 21 August 2017 · United Kingdom
- Runtime
- 84 minutes
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Language
- English
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Set in Nazi Germany, 1941, the film begins with rogue Nazi officer Benjamin Hoffman stealing a powerful occult book that can bring objects to life. He hides it in the remote village of Rosenheim, where it falls into the hands of reclusive toymaker Amos Blackwood. Using the book's rituals, Amos brings several dolls and wooden toys to life, most notably Robert the Doll, who becomes the guardian of his workshop. The SS, led by Colonel Reinhard, tracks the book to the toyshop, and during their investigation, one officer is killed by Robert and the other animated toys. A treacherous assistant betrays Amos, leading to his arrest and the seizure of the book. Robert and the toys then infiltrate the SS base, killing guards and soldiers in increasingly vicious ways. Colonel Reinhard attempts to use the book's magic but it backfires, and the toys turn on him, killing him. Amos is rescued and flees into the countryside, the book in his possession, with Robert and the other toys surrounding him protectively.
Reader's Guide
The Toymaker is notable as the third film in the Robert the Doll series, expanding the franchise's mythology by setting the story in Nazi Germany. The film received mixed to negative reviews, with Moria Reviews giving it 2 stars and noting it was somewhat better than its predecessor but criticized the late appearance of Robert. Culture Crypt gave it a score of 20, calling it stale and un-fun, and comparing it unfavorably to the Puppet Master series. Despite the reception, the film contributed to the ongoing series, leading to sequels The Legend of Robert the Doll (2018) and Robert Reborn (2019). Its release on DVD and later on Netflix in 2022 helped it reach a wider audience. The film's premise of dolls versus Nazis, while derivative, provided a distinct setting within the horror genre.
Did You Know?
- The film was shot in November 2016 at locations including Tredomen Cottage in Crickhowell and a Traditional Toys shop in Llantrisant.
- Adolf Hitler appears in the film via uncredited archive footage.
- The film was released nationwide on August 21, 2017, and on DVD on September 5, 2017.
- It is a prequel to the 2015 film Robert and 2016's The Curse of Robert the Doll.
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