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Disney Animated Classics: Numbers 16-20 Ranking

Continuing with the Disney rankings, this post is all about the last bunch of films before Disney’s death in 1966 (The Aristocats was the last film he approved). A mix of legends and contemporaries, these films remain favourites and have been the subject of remakes in recent years due to their followings.

This period of films sees my favourite animation in the entire Disney catalogue. Even after gaining a reputation as the frontrunner in animation, Disney is still trying to incorporate different styles to match the context of the films. Beginning with Sleeping Beauty’s Medieval setting which makes way for a glorious tapestry of block colours and simple shapes that is immediately striking and bold to the charming early 1900s Parisian setting of The Aristocats which brings a more classic style with it’s beautiful textured animals and heavy use of brush strokes and pastel colours.

Here are the other links if you haven’t read them:

Films 1-5

Films 6-10

Films 11-15

Here we go with films 16-20:

16) Sleeping Beauty (1959)

Initially a box office bomb on release, Sleeping Beauty has grown into one of the most loved Disney films due to its charm and beautiful animation style. Telling the story of a young princess who is forced into hiding to avoid an evil fairy’s spell is a fairy-tale that everyone is familiar with. When Princess Aurora pricks her finger on a cursed spinning wheel, she falls into a deep sleep that can only be woken by true love’s kiss. The film home to arguably the most iconic Disney villain, Maleficent, who is my personal favourite villain in any Disney films. Like Snow White, I was fascinated with this film from an early age due to the fact that it terrified me with Maleficent’s ugly henchmen keeping me up at night. Not to mention getting me into the habit of checking the fireplace in case Maleficent was in there. The protagonist, Briar Rose, is a pretty one-dimensional character whose wish is to meet the love of her life; however, the film more than makes up for this shortcoming with the supporting characters of Maleficent and the three fairies, Fauna, Flora and Merryweather. The animation in this film is also arguably my favourite featuring some of the most beautiful sequences in the Disney repertoire such as the fairies blessings at the start and Prince Phillip’s battle with the dragon at the end.

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17) One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)

Pongo and Perdita are two dalmatians living in London with their owners, Rodger and Anita. When Perdita gives birth to puppies, we are introduced to another Disney villain that has become instantly recognisible. The notorious Cruella de Vil is a lover of furs and plans to use the puppies’ furs to create a Dalmatian coat for herself. When she hires two men to kidnap the puppies, it is up to Pongo and Perdita to rescue them and bring them back home. Like Sleeping Beauty before it, the animation in this film is so unique and suits the London backdrop beautifully. The scenes in the countryside where the puppies are hidden is particular beautiful and quaint which is disrupted in the iconic scene when Cruella speeds done the road in a manic state. It’s a hugely enjoyable film that does a great job of creating identifiable characteristics for the main 12 puppies which is a tricky feat to do in a film that is 80 minutes long.

18) The Sword in the Stone (1963)

The Sword in the Stone is based on the novel of the same name about squire, Arthur, who is tutored by wizard Merlin while living with his foster father and brother, who is due to fight in a tournament to become the King of England. This film is often overlooked for a number of reasons. Although it is enjoyable to watch, the lack of narrative doesn’t fit with this particular story. The animation is fantastic as ever, particularly when Merlin is staying in the tower on a rainy night. The film’s faults lie in its heavy use of animal scenes compared to memorable human characters (with the exception of Merlin and Madam Mim) and the character of Arthur isn’t fleshed out well enough for the film. The fight between Merlin and Madam Mim is brilliant to watch bringing a nice element of fun that had been missing beforehand.

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19) The Jungle Book (1967)

Disney’s retelling of the Rudyard Kipling classic follows Mowgli, a boy raised by wolves in the Jungle as he grows up and struggles with his identity all while escaping the wrath of the evil Shere Khan, a tiger who wants to eat Mowgli. Featuring the lovable Baloo, a bear who befriends Mowgli and shows him the way of the jungle, hypnotic snake Kaa and the elephant colonels, The Jungle Book seems to be the complete opposite of One Hundred and One Dalmatians, allowing the animators to cross continents and create the jungle. The animation style is more traditional like Dumbo and Cinderella but there is so much detail in the environment that it was a good choice not to make it over-styled or overcomplicated. One unique inclusion in this film is the incorporation of four vultures who are inspired by The Beatles which is unusual in Disney as the classics rarely incorporate popular culture.

20) The Aristocats (1971)

The last film to be approved before Disney’s death, The Aristocats tells the story of 3 aristocrat kittens who are kidnapped by a jealous butler, Edgar, when he finds out they are inheriting the entirety of their owner’s estate. The kittens’ mother, Duchess finds the kittens and together they embark to return to Paris with the help of alley cat, Thomas O’Malley. It’s a simple yet charming tale that is filled with memorable characters. The three kittens in particular are among my favourite characters in Disney. The film is also home to some lovable songs as well with my favourite being “Scales and Arpeggios”. The brilliant use of the paints in the songs bring literal splashed of bright colour that work brilliantly with the pastel backgrounds. There is an array of supporting characters across the animal kingdom from Roquefort, the friendly mouse to Napolean and Lafayette the suspicious dogs on a mission to hunt down Edgar and the brilliant Uncle Waldo, a goose who is found in Paris to be heavily drunk from a sauce he was due to be cooked with. It’s often seen as a middling effort from the Disney studio but I personally love this film a lot and remember watching it on repeat when I was younger.

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Now we’ve come to the end of the films approved by Disney before his death, but where do they rank?

Here is my ranking:

1) Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

2) Fantasia (1940)

3) Sleeping Beauty (1959)

4) Bambi (1942)

5) Alice in Wonderland (1951)

6) The Aristocats (1971)

7) One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)

8) Peter Pan (1953)

9) The Three Caballeros (1945)

10) Pinocchio (1940)

11) Dumbo (1941)

12) The Jungle Book (1967)

13) The Sword in the Stone (1963)

14) Cinderella (1950)

15) Lady and the Tramp (1955)

16) Fun and Fancy Free (1947)

17) The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949)

18) Saludos Amigos (1943)

19) Melody Time (1948)

20) Make Mine Music (1946)

My next blog begins to focus on the films created post-Disney. This period is known for producing underwhelming films pre-Renaissance so it will be interesting to see where they will rank.

What do you think of the ranking? What are your favourites? Let me know in the comments below!

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Disney Animated Classics: Numbers 11-15 Ranking

The next bunch of films see a return to the classical format of animated offerings based on 19th and early 20th century classics (with the exception of Cinderella). This blog also looks at some of the most controversial films in the catalogue for its racist depictions of Native American Indians (Peter Pan) and Asian stereotypes (Lady and the Tramp) as well as misogynistic qualities that will sadly become even more so prevalent in Disney animations. The films, however, have stood the test of time and remain among the most loved classics in the Disney repertoire.

As ever, here are the links to previous installments:

Films 1-5

Films 6-10

Here we go with films 11-15:

11) The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949)

I don’t know if there is a darker tone in the Disney catalogue than the “Ichabod Crane” segment in this collection. Consisting of two segments inspired by The Wind in the Willows and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”, this is the last of the segmented features found in the Disney collection. I would watch this on repeat when I was younger and “Ichabod Crane” certainly made an impression in terms of how I see films today and approach them. It taught me that you don’t always need the happy ending that is usually given in family films and can be dark without being overtly scary. I am not as fond of The Wind in the Willows segment as much but I still find it a joyful treat to watch. Telling the story of Mr. Toad, an eccentric proprietor and his friends, Ratty and Moley, who are tasked with finding him before he gets himself in serious trouble, The Wind in the Willows follows Mr. Toad as he finds himself eventually jailed for car theft despite being framed. This differs greatly to the following segment of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” where Ichabod Crane moves to the lazy town of Sleepy Hollow where he tries to woo Katrina von Tassel in a bid to take her family inheritance while also being bullied by Brom, the village hero who also loves Katrina. It’s a film littered with flawed characters but this adds to the suspense as the audience doesn’t know who to trust.

12) Cinderella (1950)

Probably the most iconic Disney princess, Cinderella is the classic fairy-tale about a young girl subjected to servitude at the hands of her Evil Stepmother and Ugly Stepsisters. With the help of her Fairy Godmother, Cinderella attends a ball where she meets a prince before leaving her glass slipper. The palace search for the mysterious woman who captured the prince’s heart and the glass slipper is tried on by every woman claiming to be the woman. However, Cinderella puts the slipper on and they live happily ever after. There is no doubt that this film is a classic and for good reason. It is a simple film with likable animal sidekicks and a strong moral purpose; however, I believe that there are a lot of better films that captured my imagination as a child. I always enjoy watching Cinderella but it has never been among my top favourite Disney films simply because I find that there is more development given to secondary characters than primary characters. Ultimately, we learn more about Jacques and Gus more than Cinderella herself. Her character is supremely passive with events simply happening to her rather than her actually doing anything herself. Whereas Snow White shows an achievement in the animation field as a whole, I completely appreciate that she too is a passive character but what separates it for me is that there are fantastic sequences throughout the film such as when she flees the huntsman whereas Cinderella doesn’t do anything spectacular in the animation that we haven’t seen before.

13) Alice in Wonderland (1951)

The most famous adaptation of the classic Lewis Carroll novel, Alice in Wonderland follows the titular character as she delves in an absurd world filled with the unlikeliest of characters from the White Rabbit to the evil Queen of Hearts. Filled with lots of songs that have stood the test of time such as “Golden Afternoon” and “Painting the Roses Red”, it is a film filled with colour and nonsense and knows it. Disney makes the most of the bonkers plot by allowing the animators to create the most unimaginable creatures such as those found in the forest. Characters such as the Cheshire Cat and the Madhatter are also designed brilliantly with the former being among the most recognisible of Disney characters.

14) Peter Pan (1953)

Peter Pan tells the story of Wendy Darling and her brothers, John and Michael, as they venture to Neverland with Peter Pan, a young boy who never grows up. It is probably the trickiest Disney film to write about because it spawned some of the most iconic characters including Tinkerbell and the film itself is loved around the world; however, its damaging representation of Native American Indians and misogyny throughout the film make it an uncomfortable film to watch. The infamous scene I am talking about in particular is when Peter and co are celebrating the return of the Chief’s daughter, Tiger Lily in what is a highly racist collection of stereotypes with every aspect of Native American Indian culture being ridiculed. I thoroughly enjoy every other part of the film, particularly the baddies Captain Hook and Mr. Smee and a special mention to the Crocodile who I am convinced spawned my fear of alligators and crocodiles. It’s a film that I remember watching frequently and I think it sparked my imagination and writing. I love the scene when we see Captain Hook’s reaction to the Crocodile for the first time. It’s comical and terrifying at the same time but it’s the fear that keeps me going back to watch it, very much like Snow White.

15) Lady and the Tramp (1955)

Now for a film that is simultaneously classic but always understated and quite forgotten a lot of the time compared to other offerings. Lady and the Tramp is about an upper class spaniel called Lady who falls for a stray dog, Tramp and the two fall in love despite their different backgrounds. It’s a clever take on classicism during a time in which society was very much torn in the aftermath of the war. As Lady begins to venture out of her comfort zone, her character becomes three dimensional as she becomes fearless and most importantly flawed in a world that expects her to be perfect. Again, much like Peter Pan, we see another racist trope in the form of the infamous Siamese cats who are the epitome of Asian stereotypes. Their appearance and song is frowned upon in modern times and again is uncomfortable to watch. Thankfully, their appearance doesn’t last long and we are served with famous songs like “Bella Notte” and “He’s a Tramp”. With a remake in the works to be released this year, this is a love story that has stood the test of time and can melt the hardest of hearts.

So that’s films 11-15 reviewed with some of the most famous Disney films covered. As you can see, Disney appear to have fully recovered financially and critically from the segmented offerings made during and after the war.

Here is my ranking:

1) Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

2) Fantasia (1940)

3) Bambi (1942)

4) Alice in Wonderland (1951)

5) Peter Pan (1953)

6) The Three Caballeros (1945)

7) Pinocchio (1940)

8) Dumbo (1941)

9) Cinderella (1950)

10) Lady and the Tramp (1955)

11) Fun and Fancy Free (1947)

12) The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949)

13) Saludos Amigos (1943)

14) Melody Time (1948)

15) Make Mine Music (1946)

The next blog looks at the last bunch of films made and approve before Disney died including classic favourites, Sleeping Beauty and The Jungle Book. Check it out and see where the films rank!

Do you agree with the ranking so far? What are your favourites from this blog? Let me know in the comments below!

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Disney Animated Classics: Numbers 6-10 Ranking

The next five films are a unique bunch in the Walt Disney animation collection. Created during World War II with a very limited budget, these films consist of segments inspired by music and incorporate live action in a bid to reduce animation costs. Admittedly, this makes these films difficult to rank because they are completely different medium of film in my opinion to the regular offerings from the studio. However, despite the quantity of animation, the quality is still there and makes these films worth watching.

Since there are numerous animators working on various segments, it means that the style of animation isn’t consistent as well, allowing the studio to bring a more experimental approach that attempts to push animation even further than the revolutionary Fantasia. Some of the films are a lot more successful at achieving this than others but the passion to create fun and groundbreaking animation of quality is present in all of the films.

You can read the link to the previous ranking here:

Films 1-5

And now for the discussions of Walt Disney Classic Animation Studios films 6-10:

6) Saludos Amigos (1943)

Made in an attempt to unite the two Americas in the midst of World War II, Saludos Amigos is a tribute to various South American countries such as Argentina and Brazil. It comprises of various shorts as groups of Disney animators draw inspiration from the places they visit merging the classic Disney style with South American culture. The result sees Donald and Goofy learn about the countries and it also sees the introduction of iconic Disney character, Brazilian parrot, Jose Carioca. The film heavily features live action which makes me unconvinced whether it should belong in the Disney Classic Animation collection, but the animation we view is a real treat. My main downside with this film is that the balance between educational and entertainment is heavily swayed in favour of the former with a lot of lecturing overshadowing the animation at times. Each segment shows the live action footage and pictures that they took away from their trips narrated in depth and is then followed with the animated footage with the narrator repeating the information he has already told us. The heavy use of narration sometimes distracts because there is so much information and therefore we miss some of the cultural aspects in the animation itself. I found this particularly distracting in the first segment when Donald Duck visits “Lake Titicaca”. I don’t think that narration is needed during the animated parts because we already know the information.

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7) The Three Caballeros (1945)

If there were doubts about Saludos Amigos position in this list then The Three Caballeros knocks it entirely out of the park. Again, featuring a more forgiving dose of live action, this film yet again focuses on Donald Duck’s adventures as he learns about South America through his friend, Jose Carioca. This film feels like a huge improvement on its predecessor and features some unforgettable songs. It feels more focused and yet isn’t afraid to be completely bonkers with a bigger than life finale. It’s a shame that Disney don’t use Jose Carioca in its cartoons or merchandise more because he’s a brilliant character. Another part of this film that I enjoy more than Saludos Amigos is that it is a fun film that isn’t as serious. Although it is a film that is educating its audience on South American cultures, it doesn’t feel like its lecturing us which as I previously said is something that Saludos Amigos does a lot. My favourite moment in this film is the brilliant inclusion of the eccentric Aracuan bird, a bird that lives in the rainforest and has a unique (to say the least) song. It is the funniest 30 seconds ever and the song he sings will be stuck in your head for hours.

8) Make Mine Music (1946)

Make Mine Music attempts to follow in the footsteps of Fantasia by creating art inspired by pieces of music. There are some brilliant segments in this film such as “Peter and the Wolf” and “The Whale Who Wanted to Sing at the Met” but the film as a whole seems disjointed and has a tendency to drag. The pieces of music don’t flow as well as they do inFantasia, perhaps this is due to a lack of narration or explanation, meaning that one minute we watch a peaceful river in the moonlight in the classically inspired “Blue Bayou” which then follows in to “All the Cats Join In”, a jazz inspired mash of 1940s adolescence. It feels that this shouldn’t be put as a feature film as it doesn’t successfully thread together. This isn’t to say that I don’t enjoy the individual segments but as a film watching experience it is rather jarring.

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9) Fun and Fancy Free (1947)

Much like The Three Caballeros, Fun and Fancy Free feels like an improvement on its direct predecessor. Rather than featuring numerous sporadic segments in one film, Fun and Fancy Free only features two stories with sandwiched narration by Jiminy Cricket. The first segment, “Bongo”, is shorter and tells the story of the titular character, a circus bear who escapes into the wilderness and his struggle to adapt. It feels like a combination of Fantasia and Bambi and manages to tell a fulfilling story without overstaying its welcome. The second segment and the focus of the film is the epic “Mickey and the Beanstalk” which is, unsurprisingly inspired by the fairy-tale “Jack and the Beanstalk”. Following Mickey, Donald and Goofy during a time of famine after a magical harp fairy is kidnapped by a giant, the three set off to get her back. It’s a lovable piece that is accompanied by the real world story of a party with renowned ventriloquist, Edgar Bergen, who is recounting the story to child actress, Luana Patten, and his dummies, Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd, in attendance also. Charlie McCarthy is quite a cynical character and his little quips here and there will have you howling.

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10) Melody Time (1948)

Featuring a starry cast and seven musical segments, Melody Time was made with no expense spared on a $1.5m budget. The segment, “Blame is on the Samba” includes my favourite character, the elusive Aracuan bird who is his usual mischievous self. It’s a welcome return and a nice surprise that Disney decided to bring him back for an entire segment. With segments running as long as 22 minutes, this sees Disney allowing the artists to push themselves further. It definitely feels as though the Disney studio is beginning to recover from the effects of the war but Disney cleverly made sure to keep a focus on happiness and hope with lots of colours and joyful musical choices. Not to mention the favourite child duo at the time, Bobby Driscoll and Luana Patten making appearances. It doesn’t quiet hit the highs of Fun and Fancy Free but the narration between segments brings a thread that is missing in Make Mine Music and it seems to flow better as a film because of this. I love the “Little Toot” segment particularly because it is charming and heartbreaking at the same time.

So with that, it’s time for the ranking. I found this particularly difficult because I have tried to balance how I felt watching the films when I was younger with how I feel about them now.

Without further ado, here is my ranking:

1) Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

2) Fantasia (1940)

3) Bambi (1942)

4) The Three Caballeros (1945)

5) Pinocchio (1940)

6) Dumbo (1941)

7) Fun and Fancy Free (1947)

8) Saludos Amigos (1943)

9) Melody Time (1948)

10) Make Mine Music (1946)

That’s it for this post! It’s been interesting looking at films made during and after the war because Disney clearly felt that the studio should focus on lighter entainment rather than anything with dark undertones such as Bambi. Films 11-15 see a return to well-loved classics such as Cinderella and Peter Pan which I promise will be up much sooner than this one.

As always, let me know in the comments below whether you agree or disagree with my rankings so far? What would be your number 1?

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The Cornetto Trilogy

Quality: Original. Film Title: Shaun Of The Dead. Photo Credit: Oliver Upton. Copyright: © 2004 Universal Studios. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The Cornetto Trilogy consists of three films by writer/director Edgar Wright that are unconnected in plot but star Simon Pegg and Nick Frost in the lead roles and stars a different flavour Cornetto at some point in the film. The trilogy began with horror Shaun of the Dead (2004) followed by action Hot Fuzz (2007) and concludes with sci-fi The World’s End (2013). Each film was critically and commercially well-received and has a dedicated fan-base. As with any Edgar Wright film they all have strong language in abundance, brilliant soundtracks and a striking aesthetic. I go back to these films time and time again and find myself noticing things that I hadn’t seen before.

Here’s a quick summary of each installment in chronological order:

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Part horror, part family drama, all comedy. Shaun of the Dead follows Simon Pegg as the titular character whose life seems to be going nowhere (except local pub, The Winchester that is). Accompanied by his lazy housemate, Ed (Nick Frost), Shaun navigates his way through a random zombie apocalypse that has befallen the country to get to his ex-girlfriend’s house in a bid to win her back. It’s a film that is filled with a lot of heart and even more guts that is both genius and revolutionary in the horror comedy genre. It’s one of those films that you can quote for hours on end. Horror comedy is not an easy genre to pull off well critically and in a sincere manner but Shaun of the Dead does this through its flawed protagonist who is as layered as the blood paving the streets.

Hot Fuzz (2007)

The second film in the trilogy is an action-packed story filmed in Edgar Wright’s hometown. Overachieving police officer, Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) is relocated to the tiny village of Sandford, aptly known as “the safest village in Britain”. As a series of gruesome deaths occur throughout the village, Nicholas believes that there is a murderer on the loose despite the townspeople constant protestations that the deaths are accidents. Alongside local police officer, Danny (Nick Frost), the pair attempt to track down the killer and bring them to justice. Although it does have strong points, it is my least favourite of the trilogy for a number of reasons. Unlike the other two films, it is plot heavy rather than a character study and I personally prefer the latter. Action isn’t my favourite genre but I do think it is a strong film that brings something different to the genre.

The World’s End (2013)

The final film in the trilogy is also my favourite. Simon Pegg plays Gary King, an alcoholic who hasn’t moved on from school days and longs to complete the Golden Mile in his hometown which he failed to finish as a teenager. The Golden Mile is a pub crawl that consists of 12 ending with the titular pub, The World’s End. He gathers up his childhood mates, including his former best friend, Andy (Nick Frost) and they attempt to conquer The Mile while fighting off an alien invasion that has turned the townspeople into androids (or Blanks as they are called in the film). Featuring a brilliant cast as always and a higher budget than the two previous films combined, Wright is tasked with giving this trilogy the grand finish it deserves and he succeeds with flying colours. Everything about this film emulates the previous installments with its attention to detail, layered characters and brilliant script. The writing in this film is what I enjoy most about this film as the timing and pacing is flawless.

The Cornetto Trilogy is a career-defining set of films that put Edgar Wright on the map. Not many directors can easily transition from low to high budget but Wright does this easily. He’s clearly a lover of a wide spectrum of films and isn’t afraid to pay tribute in an original way.

What is your favourite film in the Cornetto Trilogy? Let me know in the comments below!

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The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)

On hearing the news that icon Doris Day had died yesterday, my mind immediately went to some of her greatest roles like Calamity Jane (1953) and Pillow Talk (1959); however, I always found myself most affected by her brilliant performance as the mother looking for her kidnapped son in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Man Who Knew Too Much. A remake of Hitchcock’s 1934 film of the same name, this Hollywood remake stars James Stewart and Doris Day as a husband and wife whose son, Hank, is kidnapped while they are holidaying in Morocco. It is revealed that their son is being used as a pawn while the kidnappers plan to assassinate an important ambassador during his visit to London. It’s a film that shows the importance of family in a time of politically turmoil that feels just as relevant in its post-war 1956 as it did in pre-war 1934.

The Man Who Knew Too Much is my favourite Hitchcock film and much of it is attributed to Doris Day in her role as Jo Conway McKenna. The role is clearly tailored for Day as she plays a professional singer. This may not seem like a stretch as we watch her beautifully sing the Oscar-winning song “Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)” but this changes the moment Hank is kidnapped. Day effortlessly brings an emotional depth to her character that she hadn’t really displayed earlier in her career, showcasing her talents as a dramatic actress. In particular, her acting in the final act of the film shows an explosion of all these emotions and her distress and longing to see her son are brought to her heart-breaking final performance of “Que Sera, Sera” that seems worlds away from the performance at the beginning of the film.

Made with a large Hollywood budget, Hitchcock makes use of multiple locations across two continents and yet somehow, the murder scene that place in the open market of Marrakesh feels equally as claustrophobic as the climatic orchestral scene in the Royal Albert Hall. Hitchcock never allows the audience to let their mind wander in his films as we are quickly assured not to trust anyone. One of my favourite locations used is a small Taxidermist’s shop and the struggle James Stewart has escaping the workers is tense as he is almost stabbed by a swordfish. Another intense scene that is recreated in the remake is the chapel scene in which the protagonists discover that the kidnappers run a local church. As the mass is under way, they clear stand out in the congregation and it is only a matter of time before they have their confrontation with the criminals. Everything about this scene in both the original and remake is brilliantly done because Hitchcock ensures that everything is directed slowly. There isn’t much physical movement as the mass takes place, the hymns are slow and droll with the speaker calm and paced in his sermon. The suspense is driven up until the moment everyone has left and they are the last visitors in the church.

It would be a true crime not to talk about the music in depth. Aside from its Oscar-winning hit that became synonymous with Day throughout her life, music is also integral to its film because it is used for the climatic moment during the assassination attempt. As in the original, it is the clash of cymbals that signals the shot. The kidnappers play the piece on a record player beforehand so the audience knows the moment. This is a clever move on Hitchcock’s part because we then know the moment when the shot will occur. Opposed to the suspense of the chapel scene, the Albert Hall scene is faster paced as the music quickens and the camera shifts between the gunman, Day, the ambassador and the orchestra. I feel that Hitchcock improved on this scene from the original as he used the same musical piece but it feels that the suspense is really played out and the production feels bigger as a whole which I feel the original lacked.

It’s a shame that this film isn’t discussed as much as some of Hitchcock’s other films because although it’s not a horror in the traditional sense of the word (ie. Psycho and The Birds), it still contains elements of horror from the writing and directing. I think it is a film that shows Hitchcock not only pushing boundaries on filmmaking but also showing how he is willing to improve on his own work.

What is your favourite Hitchcock film? Let me know in the comments below!

Doris Day, 1922-2019

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Disney Animated Classics: Numbers 1-5 Ranking

For the next few blog posts, I will be ranking all of the Disney animated Classics from best to worst (in my opinion of course). I say worst really loosely because I honestly can’t think of a Disney animation that I truly hate . I will review 5 at a time before listing a ranking at the bottom of the post. The likelihood is that Snow White will probably come first as it is one of my favourite films overall but there are plenty of Disney films that get my love as well.

The definition of a ‘Disney Animated Classic’ is it must have had a theatrical release. Therefore, with the exception of The Rescuers Down Under (1992) and Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018), no sequels are included in this list as they were all direct to DVD releases.

As ever, feel free to comment with your own personal ranking. The best thing about blogging is being able to have discussions with people who also love film so I am really interested in hearing what you all have to say!

Nevertheless, here’s my reviews of Disney animations 1-5:

1) Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

The one that started it all, I have already made my love for this film clear in a blog post that you can read here. An adaptation of the classic Grimms’ fairy tale, Disney fought all odds to prove initial critics wrong when they believed audiences wouldn’t have the attention span or interest in an animated feature and it paid off big time, giving Disney the revenue to build the iconic Disney Studio and start an empire that would become synonymous with the American Dream.

2) Pinocchio (1940)

Following the success of Snow White, Disney took on another classic tale, an adaptation of Carlo Collodi’s Pinocchio. The story of a wooden puppet brought to life is charming and contains the classic song “When You Wish Upon a Star”. Pinocchio must show that he can be a good boy in order to become a real boy but he struggles, despite strong effort from his sidekick, conscience Jiminy Cricket. I actually think that Pinocchio is one of the darker films in the collection. It is full of manipulative characters such as Honest John and the evil Coachman and with scenes such as Pleasure Island and the encounter with Monstro the whale, Pinocchio is a tale of morality and questions what it actually means to be a good person.

3) Fantasia (1940)

The brilliance of this film cannot be talked about enough. Proving that he is willing to push even more boundaries in filmmaking, Fantasia looks at the relationship between animation and music. With music composed by Leopold Stokowski, the audience is transported into worlds of abstraction to clear stories filled with memorable characters. It’s hard not to think about “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” segment with Mickey’s iconic wizard hat and red cape. My personal favourite is the closing “Night on Bald Mountain” with it’s brilliant gothic colour palette, haunting beginning and middle as chaos ensues before evil becomes eclipsed by light giving the film a beautiful gently lit ending as “Ave Maria” is sung.

4) Dumbo (1941)

There are plenty of scenes and aspects of Dumbo that I love. The tale of the big eared elephant has touched the hearts of many since its release. It’s important message on how differences shouldn’t matter is one that resonates with all people. With songs that range from the melodic “Baby Mine” to the trippy “Pink Elephants on Parade”, Dumbo is film that seamlessly switches tone in a matter of minutes. Its short running time actually feels longer because of this. However, with all this said, it is not a film that has entirely dated as well as other classics due to its racial profiling with the Jim Crow scene criticised for its use of stereotypes and the disturbing imagery given in the song “Song of the Roustabouts”. It definitely makes Dumbo an uncomfortable film to watch with this in mind.

5) Bambi (1942)

One of the most charming films in the Disney library, Bambi is the story of a deer who learns the way of nature and life in the forest. The animation in this film is second to none and I definitely find myself appreciating it more every time I watch it. The beauty is that there is no strict plot in Bambi, it shows life happening to him and how he is affected from learning how to walk, to talk, make friends to the unforgettable scene where his mother is killed by an unseen hunter. The music and inevitability of the death scene is such a poignant one in the Disney library and is often referred to as the most heartbreaking moment in a Disney film and it’s easy to see why. It is a film that is unafraid to show the realities of life and the evilness of mankind. Not to mention the adorable best friend Thumper who provided the iconic line “if you can’t say nothing nice, don’t say nothing at all”. This film will break even the hardest of hearts.

So that’s the first five films all done and dusted. Now for the important part. Where do they rank?

Here is my ranking:

1) Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

2) Fantasia (1940)

3) Bambi (1942)

4) Pinocchio (1940)

5) Dumbo (1941)

All of these films are classics in their own right and this isn’t to say that those in the last couple of places aren’t bad because they’re not. I just personally prefer other ones over them. In my next blog, I will be looking at films 6-10 so keep an eye out for that.

What do you think? Do you agree? Disagree? Let me know where you would rank these films in the comments below!

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Fiddler on the Roof (1971)

When it comes to discussing musicals, there will be a few that spring to the minds of many such as West Side Story and The Sound of Music. One of the best and most iconic musicals ever is the 1971 film adaptation of Fiddler on the Roof. Following lovable milkman, Tevye (Topol) who lives in a small fictional town Anatevka that has a strong Jewish population. This community is in the midst of facing harassment from the current military regime and the film sees this harassment grow as tensions worsen. Directed by Norman Jewison from a script written by the stage production’s writer, Joseph Stein, Fiddler on the Roof remains a favourite among musical fans thanks to its array of songs and emotional storyline that still feels timeless today.

One of my favourite characters and performances, Topol is nothing short of exceptional throughout the film. Being the audience’s way into the world of Anatevka and often breaks the fourth wall by talking to the audience. He is an outsider to the wider society but it also seems that he is an outsider within his own community as well. In my mind, no one but Topol can pull the lead performance with such dedication and commitment to the character. It could be argued that Topol is synonymous with Tevye and vice versa but that is by no means an insult. Tevye is a deeply complex character, a man so ingrained in his religion and place in the community but there is also a struggle to fight against the ideals expected from him as he longs for more than what he has. who laments his life as a poor man as he tries to navigate the matches of his three eldest daughters. Tevye is a man who likes to talk and sing about the importance of tradition but the life he leads is anything but. He misquotes scripture, goes back on a promise to let the widowed butcher marry his eldest daughter, Tzeital, and allows a communist from Kiev to educate his younger daughters. Tevye is a man who wants to follow traditions but is inherently progressive which makes him an outsider amongst his own community at times.

Now I can’t write why I love Fiddler and not talk about the songs. From the lively intro “Tradition” to Tevye’s iconic soliloquy “If I Were a Rich Man” and of course the beautiful “Sunrise, Sunset”. There aren’t as many songs in Fiddler as there are in other musicals but each song makes use of the space and the cast onscreen. No two songs sound the same and yet they will be stuck in your head one way or other. With John Williamd adapting the music from stage to screen, the film doesn’t feel like a stage production at any point which can easily happen, especially when the locations are limited.

Another aspect that I appreciate is the colour palette for the film. Strong hues of orange glow against the rural backdrop of browns and greens. It brings a natural richness and peace to the film, particularly during the opening credits. Aside from the sunset glow, the candlelit setting for Tzeital’s wedding to Motel is another beautifully created scene and is directed flawlessly. Despite being set in an open space in the village with everyone in attendance, the reception after the ceremony feels claustrophobic as chaos ensues.

Overall, Fiddler on the Roof is a film that should be watched by all film fans not just musical fans. With a three hour running time, it’s easy to think that watching a musical for that long would be daunting and (dare I say) boring, especially if you’re not necessarily an avid musical fan but the pacing is fantastic and it doesn’t feel that long. With an intermission placed so you can easily take a break should you wish to, Fiddler on the Roof is an experience that should be enjoyed at least once. Featuring one of the best characters brought to the screen, it is sure to delight most people thanks to its fantastic music, captivating performances and beautiful landscapes.

What do you think of Fiddler on the Roof? Let me know in the comments below!

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91st Academy Awards – Creative Awards (Part 2)

Continuing my roundup of this year’s Oscars, I will be discussing more of the Creative awards handed out on Sunday night. In my first blog I spoke about the acting awards (here) and the following posts looked at the creative awards (here). The array of topics from the winners and nominees show just how varied this year has been internationally. Without further ado, here’s my take on Best Animated Short, Best Live Action Short, Best Short Documentary, Best Documentary, Best Animated Feature and Best Foreign Film.

Best Animated Short Film

It was obvious that this gong would go to Pixar short Bao. The first Pixar short created by women, it tells the story of a mother-son relationship between a woman and a dumpling. It is a beautiful metaphor that shows the ups and downs of family life as Bao grows up and eventually starts to make questionable life choices. This film wasn’t for everyone and it’s understandable why but I loved it and thought it was a very touching and maternal piece of work. It brought something new to the table at Pixar, whose repertoire as of late has consisted of sequels and prequels and showed why audiences fell in love with it in the first place by injecting the passion and originality voiced by the animators and artists who work there.

Best Live Action Short

The winner of this award was Skin, a story of modern day racism in American which follows a Neo-Nazi who is kidnapped by a group of African Americans after organising a racial attack of his own and he is then tattooed completely black. The win in this category shows the importance to tell stories about the racial divide that still exists today.

Best Short Documentary

Nothing felt better for my feminist heart than seeing a crowd of women fill the stage to accept an Oscar for a film about menstruation. Period. End of Sentence explores women living in India whose education had been cut short due to their periods due to a lack of access to sanitary pads. A group of women team up and begin to manufacture sanitary pads so young girls and women can go to school and worship at temples. It is a brilliant insight into global inequality and puts to rest the patriarchal belief that gender equality exists. It also opens the gate for non-white female filmmakers to talk about subjects that are considered taboo in the same vein as Pakistani filmmaker, Sharmeen Obaid whose film, A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness that explores the so-called honour killings in her home country previously won an Oscar in the same category three years ago. The bravery that these women have to exploit these issues shows how powerful the medium of film is in communicating these topics to a society that tends to cover it’s ears to the problem.

Best Documentary

Free Solo follows rock climber Alex Honnold as he attempts to free climb El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. The filming itself proved to be a challenge as the production team had to ensure that Honnold was in no way hindered by bulky microphones or other film equipment. To do this they had a sound technician who knew how to rock climb and climbed alongside him. This is shows real innovation in filmmaking and brings a unique angle on this story rather than just having cameras at the top and bottom of the mountain.

Best Animated Feature

This year saw a welcome departure from the usual Disney win with Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse winning the gong. It proved to be hugely popular mainly due to its inclusiveness in narrative as well as the animation itself which differs from the usual large-eyed computer animation that we have become accustomed to. This year also saw Wes Anderson’s return to animation with Isle of Dogs which was absolutely brilliant. Although not as strong as Fantastic Mr. Fox, Isle of Dogs gave the most star-studded cast from any of this year’s films and injected it into a tale about the love between a young boy and his dog.

Best Foreign Film

This category was one of the big competitions of the night. The pundits rightly put their money on Mexico’s entry, Roma, but it would be wrong to ignore the ferociously strong competition from Poland’s Cold War and Japan’s Palme d’Or winning Shoplifters. This year was a tremendous year for international film and I think Roma’s popularity specifically proves that mainstream audiences want to see non-English language films. There’s been a lot of debate on whether Roma should even qualify for awards season given that it is a Netflix film but I personally feel that using streaming it on Netflix means that millions of people will have a chance to watch a film that they may not ordinarily watch. I do think this debate played apart to its loss in the Best Picture race as I feel that the Academy may have felt that the Best Foreign Film win would suffice; however, there is no doubt that Roma was one of the most discussed films of the year and it won’t easily be forgotten.

That’s it for my second Creative awards roundup. My next post will look at the last batch of Creative awards: best song, best score, best costume design, best makeup and best Production design.

What do you think of the winners? Do you agree? Let me know in the comments below!

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Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

When it comes to Disney’s history as a pioneering animation studio, there are plenty of key films that helped to make the company the leader in the industry today. I would argue that few of their feature films hold as much significance as their debut feature Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Released in 1937 to international acclaim from critics and audiences, Snow White is still a very much loved installment in the Disney filmography. It remains my favourite Disney film for a variety of reasons that makes it a hugely important presence in my film journey as well as how I view the filmmaking process. As a child who grew up on the films of Disney and Don Bluth, no other film affected me than Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. This is thanks to the special edition VHS I received for my birthday that had a mini documentary at the end which explored the making of the film. Viewing this glimpse into the film industry, how it works and how hard all of the departments worked to get a feature length animation out made the film viewing experience so much more exciting.

For those who may not know the plot, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs follows the titular character who is forced to run away from the Evil Queen after the latter becomes jealous of the former’s beauty. Snow White finds sanctuary in a small cottage inhabited by seven dwarfs who then do what they can to protect Snow White and hide her from the Queen. Based on the fairytale by the Brothers Grimm, Disney’s interpretation takes away the horror from the source material such as the apple core getting stuck in Snow White’s throat and makes it accessible for all audiences while incorporating the iconic designs often associated with Snow White in succeeding adaptations. This remains the most iconic adaptation of the fairytale with the designs and songs recognised around the globe.

As mentioned earlier, the reason why I love Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs so much isn’t necessarily due to the character development or the script but the innovation and approach to creating the film. Tasked with making sure that audiences are going to be attentive enough to sit through 80 minutes of animation, Disney had to be extremely calculated when it came to the plot. This is one of the reasons why the plot and the script is simple and linear so as not to challenge the audience too much. It’s a film that is showing off the latest in animation rather than boasting in depth characterisation. The craftsmanship that went into creating every scene is above and beyond complex and this is what draws me in time and time again. Even against the latest Disney releases, Snow White holds its own thanks to the detail and beauty in every frame. I think it’s easy to forget that it was the first ever technicolour animated feature film. That’s a huge feat in film history.

One aspect that I love the most is the use of colour and the various palettes used throughout, particularly in the expressionist forest scene when she is running away from the Evil Queen. Despite this being Disney’s first feature film, he doesn’t play it safe as the forest transforms and becomes a culmination of nightmares. The trees have faces and logs become alligators as Snow White runs deeper and deeper into the forest. The green, grey and black palette than opens up to a brighter spectrum as the eyes that have been following her are revealed to be friendly woodland creatures. The visual style is designed to put the audience at a state of unease as we flit to and fro between the happy, joyful moments with the dwarfs and the plotting Evil Queen who transforms into the Old Hag in a bid to kill Snow White.

Another iconic aspect of this film is the music. Drawing inspiration from the woodland creature trills for “Whistle While You Work” to incorporating the sound of the mine digging into “Heigh Ho”. Even if you haven’t seen this film, chances are that you have heard the songs at some point which shows how Disney was already pioneering not only the animation field but also defining the musical genre.

Overall, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs has earned its place in film history and deservedly so. The chances are that you have seen the films or are familiar with the characters and songs if you haven’t because it has become so iconic. Although there are issues in terms of how it’s female protagonist is portrayed, Disney are showing improvements on this ground with their latest Princess films that feature more assertive and explored in more detail but what makes Snow White such a brilliant film isn’t necessarily the story but the amount of time and work that went into its creation.

What do you think of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs? Let me know in the comments below!