The Fox And The Hound (Animated) (DVD)

<>~~~~~<> The Fox and the Hound <>~~~~~<>


Directed by: Ted Berman, Richard Rich

Produced by Ron Miller, Art Stevens, Wolfgang Reitherman

Written by Ted Berman, Larry Clemmons

Starring Mickey Rooney, Kurt Russell, Pearl Bailey, Jack Albertson

Music by Buddy Baker

Distributed by Walt Disney Pictures, Buena Vista Distribution ...
...

<>~~~~~<> The Story <>~~~~~<>


So for the people who had a deprived childhood and are not aware of this classic, (which is ranked 5th on the top Disney films of all time), here is the low-down on this film.

This whole tale follows the relationship, along with the changing situations of a fox (Tod) and a hound (Copper). When Tod's mum is shot leaving him an orphan Big Mama, ... more

<>~~~~~<> The Fox and the Hound <>~~~~~<>

Directed by: Ted Berman, Richard Rich

Produced by Ron Miller, Art Stevens, Wolfgang Reitherman

Written by Ted Berman, Larry Clemmons

Starring Mickey Rooney, Kurt Russell, Pearl Bailey, Jack Albertson

Music by Buddy Baker

Distributed by Walt Disney Pictures, Buena Vista Distribution

Release date(s) July 10, 1981 (USA)

Running time 83 minutes

Language English

<>~~~~~<> The Story <>~~~~~<>

So for the people who had a deprived childhood and are not aware of this classic, (which is ranked 5th on the top Disney films of all time), here is the low-down on this film.

This whole tale follows the relationship, along with the changing situations of a fox (Tod) and a hound (Copper). When Tod's mum is shot leaving him an orphan Big Mama, a kind old owl, arranges him to be adopted by the compassionate Widow Tweed as a pet on her farm. Meanwhile, the farmers’ next door neighbour (Amos Slade) buys a hound pup which is reluctantly taken care of my Chief, a big mean hunting dog. This unlikely duo of cubs soon make friends, and soon become inseparable.

Just as the duo are beginning to make friends though, Copper is placed on a leash, so the two have to play at Slade's house. This soon goes wrong though when Chief is awaken, and Tod is pursued by him and the trigger happy Slade. Tod is only rescued due to Tweeds intervention, and Slade makes it clear he plans to kill Tod the first opportunity he can.

There is the classic line “we will always be friends for ever”. You know this is not the case, as they are bred to be enemies.

The two spend a lonely summer apart, in which Copper becomes a great hunter and Tod grows up into a dashing young fox. Then on one encounter Tod meets Copper during the night, thinking their friendship unchanged. Copper explains that he is a hunting dog now, and that they can no longer be friends. Their meeting is cut short when Chief awakens and alerts Slade. A chase ensues, but Copper diverts Chief and Slade so that Tod can escape. Unfortunately, Chief manages to maintain the pursuit, which carries onto a railroad track trestle. When a fast-moving train suddenly approaches, Tod is able to duck under the vehicle, but Chief is struck and wounded. Enraged, Copper swears revenge on Tod for causing the accident.

Knowing that Tod’s life is in danger, Widow Tweed sorts him out at a nature reserve, which is hunting free. He meets a female fox called Vixey, but after a failed attempt to impress her, and she ridicules him with the other animals, they fall out.

Without spoiling the story for anybody who hasn’t seen this, there is the penultimate showdown in the woods, in which many morale dilemmas are faced. Tod and Copper have a chance to share one final smile, before going their separate ways.

There is also another comic story running along with the main story in which two birds pursue a pesky caterpillar (Squeaks).

<>~~~~~<> Relationships <>~~~~~<>

Obviously the main relationship is between Tod and Copper. It is constantly changing with the times and the situations. It is placed in danger, but still managers to prevail several times. The two characters know they shouldn’t be together, and whenever Chief is involved, it is threatened even more. Although Copper is a hunting dog, he doesn’t want to see his old time friend get killed. The case is not the same for Chief. The fox is seen as “fair game”. After Chief is gravely injured, Copper swears revenge on his childhood friend, and this is very emotional. Copper feels it is his fault Chief is injured, and says he should never have let Tod go.

Although reluctant at first, Chief takes Copper under his wing, ands helps him on his way to becoming a fine hunting dog. Even when Chief tries to attack Tod, they remain friends. Copper is very sad when Chief is injured so much he turns on his old friend.

Big Mama is the one who became Tod's salvation, and she is seen as a mother figure. She also teaches him the ways of the world, and although there are only a few we see, their encounters are usually emotional. Tod is either vulnerable, or in need of guidance.

Widow Tweed is the one to care for Tod, and she cares for him dearly. She saves his life several times, and is the one to make the last attempt at bringing him into safety.

Tod meets a young vixen appropriately named Vixey. Things start gong well, until an attempt at impressing his new female friend causes her to ridicule him. He calls her "a silly, empty-headed... female!" with a little sing-song from Big Mama, they soon see eye to eye again. Awwwwww. =]

<>~~~~~<> Themes <>~~~~~<>

Similarly to Bambi, there is an anti-hunting theme. The opening shot shows Tod’s mum being killed in the woods. This is very sad as you would expect. There are also the other hunting themes such as hunting being the wedge that is driven into Tod and Coppers friendship. Without hunting, they would be able to play forever.

There is also the continuous friendship premise, which I believe in the case of Tod and Copper, speaks that a true friendship can overcome any adversity as they prove on several occasions. There is also the male-female friendship which between Tod and his lady friend.

Although the movie is in general a happy film, there is a large presence of evil brought on by the hunting. Chief himself says to Copper that sniffing and tracking are ok, but you really need to feel anger. The violence in general is mild, compared to modern films, but for a children’s animation it is gripping and thrilling.

<>~~~~~<> Animation <>~~~~~<>

This film is the first one to be created without the presence of Walt Disney himself. It uses the same style of animation as all of the other Disney films of the era. The colour is not the best quality, and detail is lacking. But it is these features that give all of the old Disney films the same timeless charm, and I prefer this over these new digital techniques that have been employed in Disney’s’ Pixar movies any day.

As with lots of other Disney films, there is a digital remake, which boosts the quality of the audio and the picture. This is not necessary, but may appeal to children more, especially those who love films created with modern animation techniques.

The new DVD celebrates the 25th anniversary, and is a must have for collectors. I myself have the original VHS in my collection, and I love it.

For those who do not have the original video and wish to watch it (which I highly recommend) you can buy it here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fox-Hound/dp/B000M2E7KA/ref=sr_1_2/202-9860194-6885462?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1177243881&sr=1-2

<>~~~~~<> Trivia <>~~~~~<> (www.wikipedia.org)

• In the scene where Tod tries to find shelter in the woods during a rainstorm, we see a family of ducks in animation lifted from Disney's 1942 feature Bambi. Also borrowed in the movie are a twice-appearing family of quail (again from Bambi) and a squirrel whose appearance is identical to Wart / Arthur as a squirrel in The Sword in the Stone.

• The Bear's growl was a recording of Shere Khan's growl from The Jungle Book.

• The last Disney animated feature to begin with the complete opening credits and end with a "The End: Walt Disney Productions" credit, like all previous Disney films after Alice in Wonderland. The next Disney animated feature, The Black Cauldron, was the first to have closing credits.

• The last Disney animated feature to be made with entirely analogue techniques.

• The first Disney animated feature not to use line overlay since The Jungle Book.

• Tim Burton did design work on the film.

• There is a small reference to a previous Disney animation, Robin Hood, when watching the seven quail chicks crossing in front of them, Vixey counts them and mentions that 'I think six would be just right', she was referring to fox kits but she does so so subtly that Tod is confused. In Robin Hood, whilst fighting against the guards Robin tells Maid Marian that they would have six children. In both cases, the couples are foxes, only in Robin Hood they are anthropomorphised.

• In Fox hunting, the fox is called a 'Tod.' Widow Tweed names Tod, however, saying that he is "a toddler."

• Adult Tod looks similar to Thomas O'Malley and Vixey resembles Duchess from 1970's The Aristocats.

<>~~~~~<> Fear Factor <>~~~~~<>

It isn't a scary movie in general, but there is one slightly scary scene about two thirds of the way in, involving a rabid bear. Although most people may not find this particularly scary, it may be slightly distressing to very young children. The rest of the movie is not scary, with only slight sadness as an unhappy emotion.

<>~~~~~<> Overall <>~~~~~<>

Well, this is just one of the best films of all time. If you suspect it is lurking at the back of your video collection somewhere in the loft, get it out and watch it. It is suitable for all of the family, and can be watched over and over again. The mix of characters, each different and pursuing a different goal, combined with as subtle mix of themes, make this a winner. Also there is the other humorous sub plot breaks the monotony of the production and this adds to the drama.

Children love this. I love this. Adults love this.

There is also a nice soundtrack, which composes mainly of Big Mama singing to Tod, which is lovely, although the songs aren’t that memorable. The rest of the soundtrack is mainly suspense music, either in the chasing scenes involving Chief, Tod, Copper and Amos Slade.

By the end, a there is happiness, not only for Tod and Copper, but also for Tod and Vixey. Let’s also not forget the two birds that were pursuing the caterpillar that eventually turns into a beautiful caterpillar. 

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