Peter Pan (Animated) (DVD)

...that through out versions of Peter Pan, the actor playing the villain Captain Hook also plays the role of Mr Darling. Their children, Wendy, Michael and John are met by the cheeky green-clad figure of Peter Pan, 'the boy who never grew up' who leads them on a journey of excitement and adventure to 'Never Land'.

There are memorable characters such as Tinkerbell (now a huge Disney merchandising icon... I used to have tinkerbell pajamas ...
...still much good and ultimately Peter and friends win. Neverland is a paradise. Good guys have many allies, the Red Indians helping out the Lost Boys whereever possible. And ultimately evil and evil cancel each other out with the crocodile that swallowed the alarm clock coming back for Captain Hook's second arm once he so enjoyed eating the first.

The incompetance of the pirates is a constant source of amusement, while everyone likes ... more

I think this was the first film I ever went to see in the cinema, it is certainly one of the most memorable. I was surprised to find the production year to be 1953. I must have been less than 10 when I saw it (and I'm 18 now, certainly not over 50) so it must have been re-released. I'm glad to see it now on DVD, and it has since been remade and retold over and over with the great version with Jason Isaac's in 2002, and I loved Robin Williams in 'Hook'.

Yet for a lot of people this Disney version is seen as the classic film that started it all. I remember finding parts of this film truly frightening as a young child, the smouldering wreckage of the Lost Boys' tree house is one striking memory. But as with most Disney stories it is about good versus evil, and of course good always gets the upper hand.

The Disney story varies a little from the original book by JM Barrie (which I am led to understand is much darker and more sinister). However Disney has a reputation for glossing over the more horrible scenes, and putting in a jolly song here and there that makes for excellent family viewing.

The story centres around the Darling family, with a loving mother, and an angry and somewhat menacing father. More astute viewers may have recognised that through out versions of Peter Pan, the actor playing the villain Captain Hook also plays the role of Mr Darling. Their children, Wendy, Michael and John are met by the cheeky green-clad figure of Peter Pan, 'the boy who never grew up' who leads them on a journey of excitement and adventure to 'Never Land'.

There are memorable characters such as Tinkerbell (now a huge Disney merchandising icon... I used to have tinkerbell pajamas and slippers as a child). Her pixie-dust is what Peter uses to teach his new friends how to fly, while thinking of 'Happy thoughts'.

Their adventure is a difficult one as there are so many bad guys and good guys depending on who you are. For example the heroes 'The Lost Boys' are chased by the Pirates led by Captain Hook who is chased by the famous ticking crocodile, who is in turn hunted by the Red Indians, their princess the beautiful Tiger Lily. Their constant warfare brings danger and adventure.

At the heart of this story is the sinister jealousy of Tinkerbell who hates Wendy for kissing Peter. It is she who convinces the Lost Boys that Wendy is really the 'Wendy Bird' whom they must destroy. The beautiful mermaids we often dream about turn out to be vain and try to drown her. It is also Tinkerbell who informs Captain Hook on the whereabouts of the Lost Boy's den when Wendy becomes a surrogate mother to them. This results in the dark smouldering wreckage I mentioned earlier.

Yet there is still much good and ultimately Peter and friends win. Neverland is a paradise. Good guys have many allies, the Red Indians helping out the Lost Boys whereever possible. And ultimately evil and evil cancel each other out with the crocodile that swallowed the alarm clock coming back for Captain Hook's second arm once he so enjoyed eating the first.

The incompetance of the pirates is a constant source of amusement, while everyone likes the good guys. I myself fantasised about being able to fly just by willing it. It is a really imagination-building film that I watched many times during my childhood.

As Disney films go, I believe this is one of the darker ones, although the moral message and action are all redeaming features. There is still a strong sense of magic, and on returning both the Darling parents and children learnt a lesson. The parents realised how much they missed their children when they were gone, and the children how much they relied upon their parents (even their ominous father).

I don't really understand the importance of a flying tethered dog called Nana, and since this is such a dark story I do not object to Disney 'Disnifying it' so much. (I was quite sheltered during my childhood and wouldn't have appreciated this film being any darker on my first visit to the cinema.)

Altogether this is a classic Disney film, and I have since seen many versions of Peter Pan, this being one of my favourites.

Prices seem to vary for this digitally remastered DVD. Amazon sell it only second hand and for £18 minimum at the moment. I would recommend buying it for children as I watched it over and over in my childhood. But for a one off I would rather rent it. 

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