101 DALMATIANS


US, 1996, 106 minutes, Colour.
Glenn Close, Jeff Daniels, Joely Richardson, Joan Plowright, Hugh Laurie, Mark Williams, John Shrapnel, Tim Mc Inerney, Hugh Fraser.
Directed by Steven Herek.

A live-action version of the very popular Disney cartoon of the 60s (and often re-released) 101 Dalmatians. Children will enjoy the dogs - puppies seem even more cuddly in real life than as cartoons. And for the parents there is the entertaining performance, no holds barred, of Glenn Close as arch-villain, Cruella de Ville, the fashion designer who has a passion for fur. A film like this does more, perhaps, for saving animals than protests and demonstrations! Fun and fur.


1. The classic animated film? 30 years later, live action – presented in live action cartoon style?

2. The title, the focus on the dogs, the threats, and the coats to be made from their skins?

3. The London setting, the vet, the fashion world? The locations? Homes? The couple, their dogs, the Nanny?

4. Roger, his work as a vet, the encounter with Anita, marrying, walking the dog, Anita walking the dog, marriage, setting up a family? The work in fashion, her designs?

5. Cruella de Vil, being presented as the equivalent of a witch, her fashion company, as a boss, the lavish style, her designs?

6. A lot of spots, the plan to abduct the puppies, holding them, her intentions? Her interactions with Anita, with Roger, wanting to get her own way, unscrupulous – and cackling?

7. The abductors, the range of puppies, taking them, holding them? Caricature characters, the slapstick’s? Jasper and Horace?

8. The animals, the range of dogs, the range of animals, Communications, going to the rescue, the personalities of the animals, their adventures, the rescue, the pursuit, the arduous journey?

9. Nanny, her character, confronting the abductors?

10. Skinner, his role, negotiations, sinister?

11. Cruella, her plans, unscrupulous, defeated – and waiting for another day?