The Bear & The Hare
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The story
Why it stays with you
A hand-drawn and stop-frame film set in a snowy wood. A bear always sleeps through winter, and his friend the hare works out a way to have him awake in time for Christmas.
It runs a little over two minutes, and John Lewis bought a whole ad break for its television debut.
First shown 8 November 2013. Video availability may change.
The song behind the story
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Somewhere Only We Know
Performed by Lily Allen.
Cover of Keane
External music services. Account or subscription requirements may apply.
Behind the advert
Agency
adam&eveDDB
Directors
Elliot Dear and Yves Geleyn
Credits & sources
- Brand
- John Lewis
- Year
- 2013
- Cut
- Full film
- Running time
- 2 min 10
- Shown
- Online and television
- Territory
- UK
- First shown
- 8 November 2013
- Agency
- adam&eveDDB
- Directors
- Elliot Dear and Yves Geleyn
- John Lewis, official YouTube upload (opens in a new tab) · checked 27 September 2026
- Marketing Week, launch coverage (November 2013) (opens in a new tab) · checked 27 September 2026
- Creative Review, behind the scenes on the John Lewis Christmas ad (opens in a new tab) · checked 27 September 2026
Record updated 28 September 2026.