OK, I can't remember what the movie is actually about, or what the characters look like ((except that the main hero is a young boy)), but I recall one scene in the movie where they (he and his two companions... I don't recall what they look like), have to perform certain unfesable tasks:
One involves removing water from a well using an eyedropper
And the other involves moving a mountain of sand from one location to another, grain by grain.

I do recall that the animation was kind of psychadelic...

Help me, this is driving me mad!

The Phantom Tollbooth (1970) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064806/)

The book was one of my faves when I was a kid; I recognized the eyedropper/grins of sand thing right off.

Anyone know of people working at nepenthe studios near warren st. tube station in the 70's? The motley crew working on the making of the film 'watership down?' I was one of them and wish to connect with whoever is around, back in london in mid/late novemeber 2012 ann in ireland

I say Phantom Tollboth as well.. one of my fav movies of all time and my fav book. :D