I met Barry Purves at an animation festival in Poole, Dorset, England in 1999. He gave a terrific lecture and showed some of his best pieces of work including 'Achilles' which I consider to be his masterpiece in joint place with 'Gilbert & Sullivan - the very models'. 'Achilles' is just an astounding piece of animation which also works as a piece of drama, a love story and a prime example of a master working at his craft. The story centres on Achilles and his relationship with his lover, Petroclus, during the trojan war. The scenes are played out through montage as well as action sequences and tableaus, culminating in the untimely deaths of the two heroes. Never before has an historical homosexual relationship been so delicately portrayed without prejudice or judgement. Considering this is animation, that is a tremendous feat. Astonishing stuff!