THE FOX AND THE HOUND
US, 1981, 83 minutes, Colour.
Voices: Mickey Rooney, Kurt Russell, Pearl Bailey, Jeannette Nolan, Pat Butram, Keith Coogan, Corey Feldman, Jack Albertson, John McIntyre?, Sandy Duncan.
Directed by Ted Berman, Richard Rich.
The Fox and the Hound is a pleasing Disney animation film of the early 1980s. It tries to continue the tradition of the Disney Studios' animals, attractive background scenery, conflict and sentiment. The film is based on a novel by Daniel P. Mannix. The strength of the film lies in the actors chosen for the voices. They include Mickey Rooney as Todd, Kurt Russell as Copper, Pearl Bailey as Big Mama, Jack Albertson as Amos Slade, Sandy Duncan as Vixey, Jeanette Nolan as Widow Tweed, John Fiedler as Porcupine, John McIntyre? as Badger.
As usual there are several pleasing songs inserted into the action. The story is a fable about friendship and conflict and its resolution.
1. The popularity of Disney animation films? Family? Children? The delight on animation?
2. Animation techniques: the drawing of the animals, the humans, the forest, the hunt, chases and adventure? The background score? The insertion of the songs: 'Best of Friends', 'Lack of Education', 'Appreciate the Lady', 'Goodbye, It May Seem Forever'.
3. The voices of the stars and the strengths of the characterisations?
4. The film as a fable on friendship, growth, different worlds, clashes, learning, bonds of friendship? The animals portraying human qualities? Sentiment, enjoyment, learning?
5. Todd as hero - young, orphan, looked after by the widow, growing up, friendship with Copper, playful experience, Amos Slade as a continual threat?
6. Copper and Amos, the young dog, learning to hunt, trained by Chief? His duties as a hunting dog? Participating in the hunts, chasing Todd, the effect? The train and Chief's injury and Copper blaming Todd? The bear confronting Amos, Amos confronting Todd - and Todd helping? Copper saving for Todd? The bond of friendship between the two?
7. The older and more mature Todd, his being helped by Big Mama, his being attracted to Vixey, her teaching him the ways of the forest, his being chased, Chief's injury by the train, Copper turning against him, Amos and the bear and his distracting the bear, Amos wanting to shoot him, Copper rescuing him?
8. The humans - the widow and her looking after Todd? Amos and his looking after Copper? The clash of views? Nice, folksy, crusty?
9. Vixey as heroine, her educating Todd, a happy couple?
10. The background characters: Big Mama and her advice, the woodpecker and the sparrow chasing the worm, the porcupine? engaging creatures as background to the fable? Enjoyable and entertaining?
