The Sultan's Elephant

[hudstar2011]

wow - that is incredible. What workmanship!

[duesx187]

FUckin eh

[ilman112]

ma shaalloh 

[peeweet123]

nice robotics :D

[iampeeay01]

cool video... at first i really thought it was a real elephant.. i was almost amazed seeing how big it is... it was until i came closer to my monitor when i realized its a robot elephant... :)

[laughingman1447]

The next wars will be fought with robo-elephant tanks.

[scruffypete1]

That's an amazing machine there.

But you have to say the real one is even more amazing because it doesn't need several operators to make it work. The elephant can operate itself. And it also has emotions and an intelligence too.

[sunac]

Dear Santa...

[iwatchbooks]

It was amazing being there. A magical event.

[EpikHater]

Drive that around a real elephant and see what happens.

[MrVincentR]

i must possess this beast

[dstonemega]

Meh. A kindergartner could have made that atrocity.

[13lackfriday]

Disney Animal Kingdom, eat your heart out.

[MrIcemanHotty]

Maximals, TRANSFORM AND ROLL OUT!

[gargara77]

How many african child can saved with this useless money eater furry machine?

[SQLinjected]

@gargara77 So I take it you give all the money you would spend on your entertainment to African children?

[KatamariOnTheSwing]

@gargara77 Tell Disney World the same thing, or any money used to film shit like Transformers or even Harry Potter. Most people will tell you people work hard to bring a little joy and creativity into their own lives. How about try and take the money you'd waste on having a kid(s) and use it to help this over populated rock instead? Most people don't think of it that way. One college fund for a western kid who will drop out probably made this "useless money eater"

[EpikHater]

@KatamariOnTheSwing I think it's sad so much money is given to celebrities. They're quite literally paid to *pretend*. Let's not forget the shitty reality shows that have suddenly taken over TV.

They're rolling in millions of dollars, when there are people out their risking their lives for them every day.

[MiglioAlex]

@gargara77 the same can be said about 99% of all other YouTube videos. Pretentious jackass.

[plutonij238]

потрясающе

[catheryn2625]

wowowo, que hermoso trabajo

[mondoylirondo88]

They have not destroyed it, it's in Nantes, France. In fact, it's already on show

[Silentsam90]

Its pretty damn amazing, I wish I'd seen it at the time. Too bad they destroyed it.

[infraball]

@Silentsam90 they did?! why would they do that?

[Silentsam90]

@infraball They were tired of being invited all over the world to perform with it (not suprising considering its complexity and that it weighed 50 tons) and they didn't want to be known only because of the elephant. The Giant Girl is still being used though.

[infraball]

@Silentsam90 ah.. that's a shame. couldn't they have sold it to someone willing to travel with it at least though..? it would've probably sold for a lot... oh well. the girl is very cool, too.

[zukomomo]

magnificent. when he trumpeted partway through, a chill went up my spine and I suddenly felt like I did when I was a four-year-old at DisneyWorld. also, I like that it's a little steampunk-ish.

[csrtitus]

take it down, take it down, take it down!!!!

[darkmasteralucard]

SNAKE! your mission is infiltrate the parade and destroy METAL GEAL ELPHANT

[58turtwig]

Hey, did you know this is a mode of transport and it will be visiting different countries around the world?

[MeaghanEdwards]

This is cool!

[PyrozPlayground]

This is the most amazing, beautiful, disturbing, wonderful, eerie thing I've ever seen. 0_o

[APBriggs2009]

@PyrozPlayground I went to see Sultans Elephant it was such a memorable spectacle. At one point the crowd had pushed closer to the barriers and in the path of the elephant, as it approached spraying the crowd with water and trumpeting the crowd had to quickly get out of it's way!

It really was magical, and is something that really will stay with those that experienced it.

[PyrozPlayground]

@APBriggs2009 That's awesome that you actually got to see this... :) I wanna see it one day. It's on my list of things to do before some crazy crap happens. hehe

[vixxa]

oooh clearer video. smh. im disappointed

[alphadore]

I want one. I pay with credit card

[LuckyIzzy659]

lol very creepy in a way

[lmmortalDragon]

Brilliant.

[adry0910]

definitivo los seres humanos tambien podemos hacer cosas buenas

[SoLaR607]

in the future we will had am rodot in our house and wash the dishes!!!!!!

[evangelio2]

es muy genial las cago espero que venga este año que viene

[davidrasta2008]

esde verdad o de mentira??

parece de verdad

[stuffyteddybare]

they could have easily hac the elephant completely covered and hid the wheels in veils or with a baby elephant following behind..still most awestruck display of animation I've seen..disney should take note

[636lover]

Dude I just read about this on Cracked. HAD to come see it in action! i want!

[guitarmaster95]

me too

[taxpayeranthem]

Awesome!

[sirdoug3]

Ah! pretty amazing video - Re: recent comments, thumbs up, very humorous! LMAO! - but, did 'you all' know that Elephants have been recorded, playing gong-like instruments - and they are naturally really musical & melodic! - these animals, & others - are Far more intelligent than humans have previously thought - they are not some 'unfeeling creature' - they are much like us - same family!

[laceyschism]

@sirdoug3, same family, NO. high intelligence YES.

[sirdoug3]

Hey Lacey, Secretary of Coolness! - I just meant by same family 'mammals' - & 'they' are far more intelligent than humans have previously thought - hence, is why they should be protected & not slaughtered -

[laceyschism]

@sirdoug3, yes i fully agree with the no slaughtering thing :)

[gunut07]

My guess is it would shit itself. Lol.

[rack25]

bellisimo!!!!

[SOMJI63]

wonderfull

[misssiera311]

this is so cool...whats the story behind this and the giant little girl?

[rebecca8877ify]

dear all,

very very remarkable !! i'd like to know the religion meaning of this representation. please tell me if someone knows. tks!!

[laceyschism]

@rebecca8877ify, @rebecca8877ify, not everythinf has to have a religious meaning, geeze!

[lovinnia]

very intelligent mechanism.. natural smooth moves

[TANJYUNNI]

La machine very good!!

It is done in Yokohama now.

[ANDREROSALVOS]

Can you imagine the reaction of a herd of African elephants to be confronted with this creature? It would be a reaction that I could not predict.

[sajitenroad]

LOL!

[ANDREROSALVOS]

This type of mechanism can be used for various purposes, not just for entertainment. It would be a giant-robot fine, just do not believe the weight of this creature to keep moving on their own feet ...

[MarukoShin]

it's a robot. okay, but why is everyone so suprised... i don't think it's a big deal anyway...

[Chrisod65]

i saw this live, i still cant get the experience out of my head. A truely inspiring event

[freakystyley73]

FANTASTIC!!

[himvpdmr]

But there is a statement after all. Because is not only art as a representation of nature (mimesis), but is a representation about the human being representing nature, that act of depicting what have being perceived but with the mediation of creativity, and the learning about the means in the process. That's why you can have the movements so close to reality, but at the same time you have all the infrastructure of it uncovered, not meaning to trick you. Take care, God bless...

[paklk75]

You...actually went there?! OMG!! I SERIOUSLY WANT TO SEE IT! *_______* is it on in 2009? :D

[kingofallpie]

there doesnt have tobe a statement to everything. its just a robotic elephant

[XxMetalKidsXx]

OMG that thing is massive O_O

[weatherboxlisp]

I think it takes more than an arts degree to make that. Probably a good many engineering degrees as well you miserable bastard. Fair enough it lacks the subtlty of impressionism, but there's plenty of mechanical finesse. Who cares about the artistic statement anyway? It's damn cool!

[luctuk04]

@weatherboxlisp It is damn cool, a highly worked on project, AND a piece of art! The greatest engineers were artists. Example: Filippo Brunellesci, who engineered structures and buildings, including the Duomo of Florence, other cathedrals, and one of the first hospitals for displaced and abandoned children! This is where art meets innovation, creation... what is realized is the great outcome of this natural marriage between art and science.

[dioxviad]

Liberal arts hippie technology. Harness the power of a liberal arts education

[shotgunmario]

you're a dumbass if you think that a simple liberal arts degree could get you anywhere near an animatronic of that complexity...

[soyjuice888]

you're a genius to have taken his comment at face value

[acorniv]

Could you be more jealous?

[scallyhunter]

seen the spider last night in liverpool. was amazing. but i think the elephant looks that bit more incredible...but maybe i have to seen the rest of the spider extravaganza?!?!?!

[Hazelwing]

Cool! I never expected the one in Liverpool to be a spider, I was thinking Liver Bird or sumfin. I know loads of other people did too. I did think lambanana, but a huge mechanical lamb would have just been WRONG! I LOVE THE ELEPHANT! YAY!

[earlgene]

mim22070 & funkwalker

thanks for the coms, as you now know its a great big spider.....so get your arses to liverpool and come and see it. it should be a great show...

[earlgene]

did not say what it was, yet again, it may be a big lie...it may be a big funky yellow lamb.

chill out mon....

[earlgene]

no its not a liverbird. i have seen it the other day by chance..its a creature that you find in a bath....should be good. you need to get to liverpool on the 5 6 7th sep..

if you have arachnaphobia say away.....

[funkwalker]

Thanks earlgene! Way to ruin the surprise! Idiot! Can somebody please delete this comment?

[hazelstars91]

I heard it was the same thing.

I'll be there on the 6th, should be awesome.

[mim22070]

Earlgene ur an ass.

[kermyt69]

It has been in most papers recently anyway so i dont think you can blame Earlgene alone.

[gymnastrocker]

my aunty jackie is in charge of all the tourist information centres in liverpool she knows wat it is and i think i do a big liverbird

[shortyg53]

That big elephant makes me think of the big crocodile clock from HOOK. The scene where the big crocodile comes to live and tips over to eat Captain Hook who yells out

"IIII WAAAANT MYYYY MOOOOMMYYYYY!!!".

[PD1968]

I can't wait too see the Liverpool version of this,apparently it's 20ft bigger than this.

[KrazyAnimeKitten]

i know what it is but anyone hu finds out what it is is sworn to secrecy.ill tell u it if u like ^__^

[Flalaski]

that's awesome. especially the throat singing music in the background.

[TheGreenDuck3000]

it was so amazing i can remember still it looked quite real

[DunkelWaldTroll]

What 0.0 Great ^^

[Jflux69]

Kind of reminds me of the giant rendered elephants in the Lord of the Rings films...

[grankratos]

very cool

excelente!!!!

[enigmatically]

should have called it "the sultan's mammoth"

[uvflower]

I was there and yes it was the best 2 days in London in the 16 years I've been here. Royal de Luxe and La Machine is now building a spider which is planned to walk the streets of Liverpool in September 08... The sketchers are available to view on the net and I think it will be spectacular

[danuzatbrazil]

nice gros bisous danuza trussar

[4SCARECROWS]

Breathtaking... and it inspires the imagination.

[ozzyscruggs1]

This is impressive. I'm watching without blinking.

I would LOVE to see what these folks could do with the characters from various Dali or Bosch mindscapes.

[Bengali25]

Lol, that would be a mind blowing I'm sure

[zatiomist]

part 2:

Then it began to move our direction and the crowd was moving backwards as well. Slowly this giant (I literally mean giant) elephant came moving towards us from the distance and was slowly getting closer and closer. Eventually it got right next to, it was wlaking down the centre of a high street, it would walk aroudn looking realistic and spray everyone with water from it's trumpet. We kept following it around London, there was music and even people riding on top of it. Best day ever

[zatiomist]

I went to see this on the final day. It was one of the most amazing things to happen in my life. As we approcahed where it was believed to be we kept seeing ccrushed cars and giant water bowls. When we got there, a hug crowd has amassed and we were stuck behind an entire crowd of people. All we could see was the top of it's head. It didn't move for half an hour when suddenly this giant trumpet came in the distance and it's head popped up and ears sprang out...it had awoken.

[cammo6901]

i wanna ride in that thing!!!!

this is so cool. i want to see a giant puppet in real life!

[sardinetea1]

I already posted a comment under SardineTea without the #1. I deleted that account so now I'm SardineTea1...same person.

[wolfy5k]

i went and saw this a few days ago at the gallery in Nantes, France. maybe im wrong, i get its art, but does no1 else thing this maybe a slight waste of time, money (2.5 million euros) and resources. There are more taht just the elephant, but they all seem every pointless...

[bacarra44]

Guys, it's art and culture,you know?

- 2500millions for navy boat charles de Gaulle

- 2,5millions for royal de luxe

"his maybe a slight waste of time, money (2.5 million euros) and resources" are you sure?

[wolfy5k]

yea i never sed it wasnt art and culture, but come on, paint a picture, don't waste so much. think what could have been done, with 2.5 million euros worth of resources. im not normally some charity freak, but that coulda gone to better use.....

[SardineTea]

There is something very eerie about this video. It scares me to think that if we don't take better care of the earth's creatures we may be experiencing them this way in the future. It is awesome and very moving.

[UltimateHigh]

Oh shut up...

[Stopthebadman]

This is probably the funniest comment I've ever read on. Full marks UltimateHigh!!

[dizzy87ninja]

Very imposant!

[largefilipino]

SNUFFY LOL!!!!

[youngaikidoka]

imagine if there actually were elephants that big!!

[BL1TZEN]

there 'were'. They were called Mammoths.

:)

[youngaikidoka]

i meant in this day and age! haha

and i dont think even mammoths grew that big!!

[MinaDesade]

You're right, most species of mammoth were only the size of an asian elephant, or smaller! Much smaller than this guy!

[angelohh79]

tis is soooooooooo cool!...

[kellyasp52]

this scared me.

[runta07]

Where is here? amazing.and good music.

[himikey]

The music is played by Balayeurs du desert who released the music on a CD called Jules Verne Impact - hard to find the CD, but you can download from iTunes

[hodgietwo]

Thats amazing and the face looks so realistic, it even blinks its eyes. WOW.

[moniker127]

Talk about a pimped out ride! hehe

[meekachan]

Oh wow...this is like something out Girl

Genius! Elephant automata, the only way

to travel! ^_^

[YungaRanger]

That's what you call one MAHOOSIVE elephant

[marciacola]

Great, thank you for shearing this wonderful thing.

[iseedat]

haha thought it was some real giant elephant..in far vision..!!

[CaptainFF]

haha neat!

[peteranton]

wonderful, beautiful, amazing! if it were only made of gold!

[AirFarceOne]

FANTASTIC! The USA doesn't see much like this. Maybe that's part of the problem....

Peace, all.

[noah330033]

AMAZING!!!!

[delachendezon]

I did see this show in Antwerpen it was great

[himikey]

The music is played by Balayeurs du desert who released the music on a CD called Jules Verne Impact - really hard to find the CD, but you can download from iTunes

[Hyperboi4evr]

man... it moves so realisticly

[odesseus]

Amazing! What a wonderful creation! I love it! I wish I could see it!

[mellzz]

beautiful!