1981, Walt Disney Productions
Animation
Rating: G
Approx. 83 mins.
THE STORY:
When Todd, a young fox, is orphaned, the concerned forest animals arrange for a kindly old woman to take him in. She raises him as a pet, and gives him free rein of her property. One day he runs into Copper, the new puppy the neighbouring hunter has bought to train as a hunting dog. The two become instant friends, ignorant of the relationship they are destined to have.
When spring comes, the hunter drives off with his dogs to spend the season hunting. When he returns months later, Copper and Todd have grown up and their bond is sorely tested. Ultimately, though, friendship wins out and all kinds of bonds between animals and people alike are forged.
When spring comes, the hunter drives off with his dogs to spend the season hunting. When he returns months later, Copper and Todd have grown up and their bond is sorely tested. Ultimately, though, friendship wins out and all kinds of bonds between animals and people alike are forged.
QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:
- none
VIOLENCE:
- frequent visual and verbal references to dying and killing
- a dog appears to die, and the truth is not revealed in time to stem potential tears
- a bear dies-- off screen
TEACHING POINTS:
- it's easy to find messaging about the dangers of biases and stereotypes, and the need to see people as individuals rather than a genus/ race/ whatever
THE UPSHOT:
I had no idea of the date of the movie when we started watching, and I assumed, based on the content, that it was from some time in the '70s. I was giving it the benefit of a lot of doubt since I figured it was a product of its time. But, no. 1981!
Yet again, Disney does not disappoint (in utterly disappointing).
The adults in the room hated this film, and the 5 year-old did a lot of anticipatory crying. The scenes of a dog appearing to die, the hunter demonstrating the viciousness of a steel fox trap, the ominous music and lighting, the basic premise that we live in a dog-eat-fox-world which predominates most of the movie can be very upsetting for young and/or sensitive kids.
The ending is a typical pat and completely unrealistic Disney happy ending: everyone couples up and respects each other's right to be. This was definitely reassuring for the 5 year-old in the room, but the lack of exposition of the journey towards this perfect harmony made one of the grown ups in the room (ahem) roll her eyes wildly.
There is nothing innovative in the animation, nothing creative in the script, nothing redeeming in the story that makes it at all worthwhile. Yes, the message of tolerance and acceptance is positive, but it has been done better elsewhere. Don't bother.
Yet again, Disney does not disappoint (in utterly disappointing).
The adults in the room hated this film, and the 5 year-old did a lot of anticipatory crying. The scenes of a dog appearing to die, the hunter demonstrating the viciousness of a steel fox trap, the ominous music and lighting, the basic premise that we live in a dog-eat-fox-world which predominates most of the movie can be very upsetting for young and/or sensitive kids.
The ending is a typical pat and completely unrealistic Disney happy ending: everyone couples up and respects each other's right to be. This was definitely reassuring for the 5 year-old in the room, but the lack of exposition of the journey towards this perfect harmony made one of the grown ups in the room (ahem) roll her eyes wildly.
There is nothing innovative in the animation, nothing creative in the script, nothing redeeming in the story that makes it at all worthwhile. Yes, the message of tolerance and acceptance is positive, but it has been done better elsewhere. Don't bother.
1/5
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