... When I was a wee nipper my grandparents bought a copy of this film (and later it's sequel, The Rescuers Down Under) so I would have something to do when visiting them besides picking my nose or jumping in the pond. And the thing was no matter how many times I saw this film, no matter how well ... Read review
What can two little mice possibly do to save an orphan girl who's fallen into evil hands? ... more
WithThe Rescuersanything is possible! As members of the mouse-run International Rescue Aid Society, Bernard and Miss Bianca respond to orphan Penny's call for hel...
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What can two little mice possibly do to save an orphan girl who's fallen into evil hands? ... more
WithThe Rescuersanything is possible! As members of the mouse-run International Rescue Aid Society, Bernard and Miss Bianca respond to orphan Penny's call for hel...
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With high-flying adventure and delightful charm The Rescuers follows the courageous ... more
exploits of two brave mice to the marshy swamps of Devil's Bayou to rescue a missing orphan named Penny! The excitement begins when Penny's bottled note for help land...
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Advantages: A brilliantly told tale, beautiful music, wonderful visuals at times Disadvantages: No guns, so limited appeal to todays kids, basic story isn't particuarly strong
...mischief and watching cartoons. And the majority of truly magical memories of childhood cinema comes from none other than Walt Disney. When I was a wee nipper my grandparents bought a copy of this film (and later it's sequel, The Rescuers Down Under) so I would have something to do when visiting them besides picking my nose or jumping in the pond. And the thing was no matter how many times I saw this film, no matter how well I knew the plot and what ... ...it is a masterpiece of the silver screen. Let me explain...
So on the surface The Rescuers is another kids movie with a dodgy storyline. The basic premise is that pawn shop owner Madame Medusa is desperate to get a hold of The Devil's Eye, a brilliant diamond of unimaginable wealth, and kidnaps a young orphan girl in order to retrieve it for her. The orphan, Penny, secretly drops a message in a bottle which reaches the Rescue Aid Society, ... more
Childhood is all about having fun, getting into mischief and watching cartoons. And the majority of truly magical memories of childhood cinema comes from none other than Walt Disney. When I was a wee nipper my grandparents bought a copy of this film (and later it's sequel, The Rescuers Down Under) so I would have something to do when visiting them besides picking my nose or jumping in the pond. And the thing was no matter how many times I saw this film, no matter how well I knew the plot and what every character was going to say next... I always sat there completely engrossed in it. Why? Because it is a masterpiece of the silver screen. Let me explain...
So on the surface The Rescuers is another kids movie with a dodgy storyline. The basic premise is that pawn shop owner Madame Medusa is desperate to get a hold of The Devil's Eye, a brilliant diamond of unimaginable wealth, and kidnaps a young orphan girl in order to retrieve it for her. The orphan, Penny, secretly drops a message in a bottle which reaches the Rescue Aid Society, an international union of mice who decide to send glamorous member Bianca, along with janitor Bernard at her request, to save her from the bayou where she is being held captive. So whilst on the surface the storyline isn't anything special, the way the story is told definitely is. Featuring a brilliant script full of witty one-liners and interesting dialogue setting up some truly memorable scenes, The Rescuers is a prime example of how Disney are the masters of animated movies.
Being released in 1977 the animation itself is perhaps a little choppy and has a very "pencilled in then coloured" feel to it. But remember, this film was released before the age of computer graphics and ultra-clean, smooth and shiny animation was possible. And despite it's age, it still manages to throw up some genuinely beautiful scenes, and does a perfectly reasonable job throughout it's entirety. What's equally as impressive is the directing, and the way the characters behave. The Rescuers is a story of emotional conflict, and it is interesting just how well the animators have managed to represent this throughout the film. From the scene with Penny saying her prayers before bed, to the hint of romance between the films main protagonists Bianca and Bernard, the film is filled with emotive themes and it plays on them very well.
One of the films true highlights, and again tying in with the theme of emotional change, is the music. From the very first song played over the credits you can tell that The Rescuers is a beautiful movie, one of tragedy but also one of hope. Some other Disney films feature very upbeat songs and perhaps happy-go-lucky numbers like Mary Poppins, The Lion King, even Snow White has it's merry numbers. But The Rescuers plays much more at the theme of the drama and the severity of the situation. Sure the film has some brilliant gags and is genuinely funny at times, but for the most part the songs are a very slow yet beautiful affair, reminding us that not all is well at the moment, but also soothing us and reminding us that everything will be alright in the end. At least, that's the impression when I hear the songs. It really is masterful work.
I've already touched briefly on the humour, which in true Disney style can be appreciated on many levels. I remember being a kid and watching the scene where the mice meet Rufus the cat (the orphanage's cat, and friend of Penny) and feeling a very brief but very real sense of danger when they flee and hide from him before he tells them that he's too old to be chasing mice. Now, of course, I see the funny side of the situation, and it adds another level of the narrative that I may not have picked up when I was a kid. Another one, of course, is the moonshine drinking bayou mouse... I never understood that as a kid...
Speaking of humour, Orville of Albatross Airlines. He's great. Essentially used as Bianca and Bernard's primary mode of transport (despite being a bit reckless and carefree) he is an important character in terms of bringing a more visual style of humour to the film. It's a nice break from the storyline, albeit a short one, but whenever he's on screen you just know that something funny is going to happen. Unsurprisingly, he was my favourite character as a kid. Or... wait... no, it was the crocodiles. (Not gonna spoil it, but wait for the scene with the pipe-organ... classic!)
I wanna take a moment to talk about the character design. Whilst Bianca and Bernard may be your fairly typical confident female, nervous male type, and the bad guys may be even more typical of this, it is to it's credit that the role of Madame Medusa is played so well. She's just so evil that you begin to feel sorry for Mr Snoops, her jittery assistant. Her wicked laugh, her sneer, her cruel threats to Penny involving her teddy-bear, Medusa is a character you just love to hate. Definitely a classic Disney villain, yet unfortunately a seemingly forgotten one as despite the film's quality it seems to be fairly underappreciated in this day and age.... possibly due at least in part to it's 1990 sequel The Rescuers Down Under which, whilst still being funny and a good film, certainly did not receive the same acceptance from some of the fans who felt it was a bit 'Yucky'
So... I always like to bring a negative to these reviews and bring as open-minded an opinion as possible. But I'll be honest with you, I am finding it difficult to think of one right now. It's probably down to the fact that this has been one of my favourite films of all time, and watching it again recently has filled me with that special sense of nostalgia that only a film like this can do. I suppose if I'm being ultra-ULTRA critical I can point out that the voice-acting can seem a little awkward at times, but then again for the most part it's brilliant. The storyline isn't the strongest, but it's different enough to be interesting, and as I've mentioned the scripting is excellent. So why am I only giving it four stars? Well, there must be a reason that this film is so desperately underappreciated, even if I cannot find a real fault with it.
With a cast of entertaining characters, some a lot more memorable than others, The Rescuers is a classic Disney film that, while it hasn't perhaps reached the levels of popularity that it definitely deserves, proves to be a very entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable film for both kids and adults alike. My only fear is that, as essentially a kids film featuring no guns, robots or moody teenagers, I wonder how well it will be accepted by modern-day children. Still... tomorrow is another day... *
*Aaaaah, a reference that only those that have seen the film will get. See, now you have to go watch the film to understand the reference! I'm so clever...
Advantages: Great story, songs and characters; all of the elements from the best Disney classics. Disadvantages: The DVD edition is very disappointing, with poor picture quality and lack of interesting material.
...it is probably one of the most touching, heart-warming films the studio has ever produced. Production for "The Rescuers" begun back in 1973 and was finally completed and released on June 22nd of 1977. The story is based on two of Margery Sharp's children's novels, "The Rescuers" and "Miss Bianca" and begins when a mice organization in the basement of the United Nations building in New York City, receives a call from help contained within a bottle ... ...rescue at once. Hearing the heart-breaking note, the Hungarian delegate, Miss Bianca, volunteers for the mission. Mr. Chairman hesitates and objects to letting the fair lady go alone on what may be such a dangerous quest, but finally gives in when she chooses for a companion the humble, shy janitor, Bernard. The two mice are soon on their way and must rely as of now in their only clue, the message inside the bottle which was addressed to Morningside ...
TaranWanderer 19.11.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Rescuers (Animated) (DVD)
Advantages: Nice story Disadvantages: Not the film I remember
After watching The Rescuers last night I decided that some things are best left in the past, because the memories are far better than the reality. == Synopsis == The film starts with a young girl throwing a bottle off the back of a Mississippi style steam boat, the bottle has a message on it, and through the glass we can see the word 'help'. The bottle drifts downstream and through the waters until it comes to rest close to the home of a few mice. ... ...of mouse delegates from around the world. Bernard the janitor is instructed to retrieve the message, and when he does they can see that it is from an orphaned girl called Penny, who asks for help. Hungarian delegate Miss Bianca offers to undertake the mission, but since this is the first time a female mouse has taken on a mission, Bernard is asked to accompany her. So they set off to the orphanage to find out who Penny is, and why she needs help, ...
Fiver29 17.10.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Rescuers (Animated) (DVD)
Advantages: Fun, lovely characters and everyone can enjoy it Disadvantages: Songs aren't as memorable
...one 'The rescuers'. This was the 23rd ever animated film made and was released back in 1977.
The story:
The film starts by showing us a little girl named Penny, who has been kidnapped and decides to throw a bottle into the ocean with a 'help' note inside. Luckily the note eventually reaches the 'Rescue Aid Society' which is run by mice from all over the world and send in help to go and rescue kidnapped children. Upon them receiving Penny's note ... ...mission to rescue Penny from the evil clutches of Madame Medusa and her sidekick Mr Snoops they start off on their journey with help along the way from various others including Orville the seagull who flies them to Devils Bayou where Penny is and dragonfly Evinrude.
Will Bernard and Bianca be able to rescue Penny and bring her home safely?
The cast:
As an animated film so real people in the film but plenty who do the voices of the characters. ...
frankiecesca 07.09.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Rescuers (Animated) (DVD)
Advantages: Great and safe family fun Disadvantages: Not as classic as the earlier Disney classics.
During the seventies, the Disney Studios were struggling with the animation format. Using classic fairy tales for the staple diet of their movies during the early years seem to work well, but once Walt had died in the late 60s, the studios seem to be fumbling around for material (The Aristocats; Robin Hood; The Fox And The Hound). The Rescuers was one such movie. A pleasant enough family adventure involving two mice from a United Nations Rescue Service ... ...in a bottle is found. The mice, Bernard and Bianca, head off to the Bayou, where the girl is being held by the evil Madame Medusa.
The film has all the quality of a Disney feature, but without the wonderment. Whereas the previous films contained memorable tunes, strong characterisation and familiar plotlines, The Rescuers suffers from 70s style middle-of-the-road songs, a story that many did not know and characters that are perfectly passable but ...
TheWrenster 11.09.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Rescuers (Animated) (DVD)
Advantages: Easy to watch for under ten age group, keeps their attention, constantly moving Disadvantages: Not as up to date with effects and memorable characters like Toy Story for example
...six year old son enjoyed the film. It was easy to watch and constantly keeping his attention. As an adult you realise the age of the film and how things have progressed since this was made. I remember watching this when it first came out, and as a child I did enjoy the film. It is a bit dated, but still worth watching. It follows the adventure of two mice Bernard and Bianca (french accent) who set out on a journey to rescue an orphan girl who lives ...
sprinkledoughnut 06.10.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of The Rescuers (Animated) (DVD)
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Advantages: Fun and the same lovable characters from the first film Disadvantages: None
I loved the 'Rescuers' made by Disney back in 1977 and back then before all the more up to date sequels to classic Disney films started to appear, there really wasn't any second films made from a classic already brought out. This was the exception though and in 1990 we saw the release of the sequel to the brilliant Rescuers that was 'The Rescuers Down Under'. This was the 29th animated Disney film.
The story:
Bernard and Bianca, two very daring mice who are members of the Rescue Aid Society, are called in to help a young boy named Cody who is trying to save a great eagle from a poacher. They enlist the help of Wilbur again, the seagull, to fly them to Australia's outback where they begin their search for Cody along with the help of Jake, a kangaroo mouse. Will the brave mice be able to help and save Cody and the eagle?
The cast ...
Advantages: Elaborate, advanced animation techniques. Disadvantages: Lacking in story, music, characters, heart; too much un-needed jokes.
As much as I loved the original "The Rescuers" and as much as I love most of the Walt Disney animated classics, I did not like "The Rescuers Down Under". I wanted to like it, I really did; when I learned about a sequel to my favorite Walt Disney classic of all time, no doubt I was excited about seeing and wanted to enjoy it as much as I did the first. Unfortunately, after viewing only the first few minutes of the film, I knew I was going to be disappointed.
To begin with, though I hoped to see as many of the original characters possible, I did not expect to run into the same exact storyline as the first. Imagine, a little blonde boy needs rescuing, this time in Australia, from an old treasure seeker who needs to boy to get his hands on a valuable golden eagle. It's not the same victims and villains, but the story is just the same ...
This sequel to The Rescuers is superior in many respects. The animation, for instance, is leaps and bounds ahead. There are a great many startling, dramatic depth shots that may cause you to get a little giddy if you're afraid of heights. The production has a crisper feel. The villain, this time around, is conniving and evil, as usual, but he's got two very interesting sidekicks: Joanna, a wicked yet funny lizard (watch for a classic scene involving eggs), and a monster truck that's every bit as alive and terrible as the Mack truck from Spielberg's Duel. If only the story's ends had been tied up a little better -- what happened to all the caged animals we meet mid-way through the picture? ...
Fun and adventures for Bernard and Bianca, two mice from the international Rescue Aid Society as they search for Penny, an orphaned girl who has been kidnapped by Miss Medusa.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
Walt Disney Home Video; Buena Vista Home Entertainment
Ken Anderson, Larry Clemmons, Burny Mattinson, Vance Gerry, Dave Michener, Frank Thomas, Lucky, Margery Sharp, Ted Berman
Voice
Bob Newhart, Pat Buttram, Geraldine Page, Joe Flynn, Jeanette Nolan, Jim Jordan, John McIntire, Bernard Fox, Eva Gabor
Art Director
Don Griffith
Editor
Jim Koford, James Melton
Languages
Main Language
English
Technical information
Animated
Animated
Professional reviews
Review
"...Charming....A perfect show for the very, very young who take their cartoons seriously..." (New York Times, p.C18, 07/07/1977)
DVD Description
An urgent note in a bottle from a kidnapped orphan girl leads two adventuresome mice on a "wild albatross chase" to Devil's Bayou and a madcap encounter with the villainous Madame Medusa. Bob Newhart, Eva Gabor and Geraldine Page lend their voices. Academy Award nominations: Best Song ("Someone's Waiting for You").
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![The Rescuers [DVD] [1977]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78538824.jpg)
