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'''''The Fox and the Hound''''' is a |
'''''The Fox and the Hound''''' is a 1981 [[animated feature]] produced by [[Walt Disney Productions]], first released to [[movie theatres]] in the U.S. on July 10, 1981. The twenty-fourth [[animated feature]] in the [[Walt Disney Animated Classics | Walt Disney Animated Classics series]], the film is loosely based on the [[Daniel P. Mannix]] novel [[The Fox and the Hound (novel)|of the same name]]. The film centers on the story of two unlikely friends, a hound dog and a fox, who struggle to preserve their friendship despite their emerging instincts. At the time of release, it was the most expensive animated film produced, costing $12 million.<ref name=book></ref> It was the last "Walt Disney Animated Classics" movie to have no end credits. |
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== Plot == |
== Plot == |
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After a young [[red fox]] is orphaned, an [[owl]] named Big Mama arranges for him to be adopted by the Widow Tweed. Tweed names him Tod, since he reminds her of a toddler. Meanwhile, Tweed's neighbor, a [[hunter]] named Amos Slade, brings home a young hound puppy named Copper and introduces him to his hunting dog Chief. Tod and Copper become playmates, and vow to remain "friends forever." Slade grows frustrated at Copper for constantly wandering off to play, and places him on a leash. While playing with Copper at his home, Tod awakens Chief. Slade and Chief chase him until they are stopped by Tweed. After an argument, Slade says that he intends to kill Tod at his first opportunity. Hunting season comes and Slade takes his dogs into the wilderness for the interim. Meanwhile, Big Mama explains to Tod that his friendship with Copper cannot continue, as they are natural enemies, but Tod refuses to believe her. |
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Months pass, and Tod and Copper reach adulthood. On the night of Copper's return, Tod sneaks over to meet him. Copper explains that he is a hunting dog now and things are different between them. Chief awakens and alerts Slade, a chase ensues and Copper catches Tod. Copper lets Tod go then diverts Chief and Slade. Chief maintains his pursuit onto a |
Months pass, and Tod and Copper reach adulthood. On the night of Copper's return, Tod sneaks over to meet him. Copper explains that he is a hunting dog now and things are different between them. Chief awakens and alerts Slade, a chase ensues and Copper catches Tod. Copper lets Tod go then diverts Chief and Slade. Chief maintains his pursuit onto a railroad track where he is struck by a train and wounded. Copper and Slade blame Tod for the accident and swear vengeance. Tweed realizes that her pet is no longer safe with her and leaves him at a game preserve. Big Mama introduces him to a female fox named Vixey, then Slade and Copper tresspass into the preserve and hunt the two foxes. The chase climaxes when Slade and Copper inadvertently provoke an attack from a [[bear]]. Slade trips and is caught in his own trap and drops his gun just out of reach. Copper fights the bear but is no match for it. Tod battles the bear until they both fall down a [[waterfall]]. Copper approaches Tod as he lies in the lake below when Slade appears, ready to fire at the fox. Copper interposes his body in front of Tod, and refuses to move away. Slade lowers his gun and leaves with Copper, but not before the two former adversaries share one last smile before parting. At home, Tweed nurses Slade back to health while the dogs rest. Copper, before resting, smiles as he remembers the day when he became friends with Tod. On a hill Vixey joins Tod as he looks down on the homes of Copper and Tweed. |
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== |
== Cast == |
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*[[Mickey Rooney]] as Tod |
*[[Mickey Rooney]] as Tod |
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*[[Kurt Russell]] as Copper |
*[[Kurt Russell]] as Copper |
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*'''October 10, 2006''', 25th anniversary Special Edition DVD |
*'''October 10, 2006''', 25th anniversary Special Edition DVD |
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==Critical reaction== |
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==Reception== |
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Although the film was a financial success,<ref name=BO></ref> reactions from [[film critic]]s were mixed. Craig Butler from ''All Movie Guide'' stated that the film was a "warm and amusing, if slightly dull, entry in the Disney animated canon." He also called it "conventional and generally predictable" with problems in pacing.<ref>{{cite web | work=Answers.com | title=''The Fox and the Hound'' Movie Review|url=http://www.answers.com/topic/the-fox-and-the-hound-film| accessdate=23 April|accessyear=2009}}</ref> |
Although the film was a financial success,<ref name=BO></ref> reactions from [[film critic]]s were mixed. Craig Butler from ''All Movie Guide'' stated that the film was a "warm and amusing, if slightly dull, entry in the Disney animated canon." He also called it "conventional and generally predictable" with problems in pacing.<ref>{{cite web | work=Answers.com | title=''The Fox and the Hound'' Movie Review|url=http://www.answers.com/topic/the-fox-and-the-hound-film| accessdate=23 April|accessyear=2009}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 04:58, 22 July 2009
The Fox and the Hound | |
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File:Foxhoundposter.jpg | |
Directed by | Ted Berman Richard Rich |
Written by | Ted Berman Larry Clemmons |
Produced by | Ron Miller Art Stevens Wolfgang Reitherman |
Starring | Mickey Rooney Kurt Russell |
Music by | Buddy Baker |
Distributed by | Buena Vista Distribution |
Release date | July 10, 1981 |
Running time | 83 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $12 million[1] |
Box office | $39,900,000[2] |
The Fox and the Hound is a 1981 animated feature produced by Walt Disney Productions, first released to movie theatres in the U.S. on July 10, 1981. The twenty-fourth animated feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series, the film is loosely based on the Daniel P. Mannix novel of the same name. The film centers on the story of two unlikely friends, a hound dog and a fox, who struggle to preserve their friendship despite their emerging instincts. At the time of release, it was the most expensive animated film produced, costing $12 million.[1] It was the last "Walt Disney Animated Classics" movie to have no end credits.
Plot
After a young red fox is orphaned, an owl named Big Mama arranges for him to be adopted by the Widow Tweed. Tweed names him Tod, since he reminds her of a toddler. Meanwhile, Tweed's neighbor, a hunter named Amos Slade, brings home a young hound puppy named Copper and introduces him to his hunting dog Chief. Tod and Copper become playmates, and vow to remain "friends forever." Slade grows frustrated at Copper for constantly wandering off to play, and places him on a leash. While playing with Copper at his home, Tod awakens Chief. Slade and Chief chase him until they are stopped by Tweed. After an argument, Slade says that he intends to kill Tod at his first opportunity. Hunting season comes and Slade takes his dogs into the wilderness for the interim. Meanwhile, Big Mama explains to Tod that his friendship with Copper cannot continue, as they are natural enemies, but Tod refuses to believe her.
Months pass, and Tod and Copper reach adulthood. On the night of Copper's return, Tod sneaks over to meet him. Copper explains that he is a hunting dog now and things are different between them. Chief awakens and alerts Slade, a chase ensues and Copper catches Tod. Copper lets Tod go then diverts Chief and Slade. Chief maintains his pursuit onto a railroad track where he is struck by a train and wounded. Copper and Slade blame Tod for the accident and swear vengeance. Tweed realizes that her pet is no longer safe with her and leaves him at a game preserve. Big Mama introduces him to a female fox named Vixey, then Slade and Copper tresspass into the preserve and hunt the two foxes. The chase climaxes when Slade and Copper inadvertently provoke an attack from a bear. Slade trips and is caught in his own trap and drops his gun just out of reach. Copper fights the bear but is no match for it. Tod battles the bear until they both fall down a waterfall. Copper approaches Tod as he lies in the lake below when Slade appears, ready to fire at the fox. Copper interposes his body in front of Tod, and refuses to move away. Slade lowers his gun and leaves with Copper, but not before the two former adversaries share one last smile before parting. At home, Tweed nurses Slade back to health while the dogs rest. Copper, before resting, smiles as he remembers the day when he became friends with Tod. On a hill Vixey joins Tod as he looks down on the homes of Copper and Tweed.
Cast
- Mickey Rooney as Tod
- Kurt Russell as Copper
- Sandy Duncan as Vixey
- Pearl Bailey as Big Mama
- Richard Bakalyan as Dinky
- Paul Winchell as Boomer
- Pat Buttram as Chief
- Jeanette Nolan as Widow Tweed
- Jack Albertson as Amos Slade
- Keith Coogan as Young Tod
- Corey Feldman as Young Copper
- John Fiedler as The Porcupine
- John McIntire as The Badger
Production
The story was loosely based on Daniel Mannix's 1967 novel of the same name. The book had a more realistic story; it dealt with the quest of a hunter and his dog Copper to shoot Tod after he killed the hunter's new dog Chief. The novel was mainly about Tod's life in the woods. While he was raised by humans he was not childhood friends with Copper and none of the animals spoke. The story was changed to make it more suitable for a family film; instead of a story about the life and death of a fox, it became a parable about how society determines our roles despite our better impulses.[3]
Production of the film began in 1977.[4] The film marked a turning point in the studio: Walt Disney's "nine old men" did initial development of the animation, but by the end of production the younger set of Disney animators completed the production process.[5][6][7] Woolie Reitherman was producer, and championed staying true to the novel, and Larry Clemmons was head of the story team. Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston did much of the early development of the main characters. The newer generation of animators, such as Don Bluth, Ron Clements, Glen Keane, and John Musker, would finalize the animation and complete the film's production. These animators had moved through the in-house animation training program, and would all play an important role in the Disney Renaissance of the eighties and nineties.[5]
Early in production, Don Bluth left Disney, taking 11 Disney animators with him[8] to start his own rival studio, Don Bluth Productions.[9] Bluth had animated Widow Tweed and her cow, Abigail, and his team worked on the rest of the sequence. With 17% of the animators now gone, production on The Fox and the Hound was delayed.[4]
Four years later the film was finished. Approximately 360,000 drawings, 110,000 painted cels, 1,100 painted backgrounds made up the finished product. A total of 180 people, including 24 animators, worked on the film.[4] The co-directors for the film were Ted Berman, Richard Rich, and Art Stevens.
Release history
- July 10, 1981 (Original theatrical)
- March 25, 1988 (Theatrical re-release)
- March 4, 1994 (VHS), the last video of the "Walt Disney Classics" collection.
- May 2, 2000 (DVD), released on the "Walt Disney Gold Classic Collection".
- October 10, 2006, 25th anniversary Special Edition DVD
Critical reaction
Although the film was a financial success,[2] reactions from film critics were mixed. Craig Butler from All Movie Guide stated that the film was a "warm and amusing, if slightly dull, entry in the Disney animated canon." He also called it "conventional and generally predictable" with problems in pacing.[10]
Leonard Maltin in his book The Disney Films noted that the film generated a "good news/bad news" reaction. The good was that Disney's young animation team seemed to be in "firm control." The fight scene between Copper and the bear, by Glen Keane, in particular received great praise in the animation world. The bad news, according to Maltin, was that the film relied too much on "formula cuteness, formula comedy relief, and even formula characterizations," causing a step back for the studio. Maltin suggests that perhaps this safeness came from the fear of displeasing the memory of Walt Disney.[11]
However, Richard Corliss of Time Magazine, praised the film for an intelligent story about prejudice. He argued that the film shows that biased attitudes can poison even the deepest relationships, and the film's bittersweet ending delivers a powerful and important moral message to audiences.[12] Roger Ebert of the Chicago Times also praised the film, saying that "for all of its familiar qualities, this movie marks something of a departure for the Disney studio, and its movement is in an interesting direction. The Fox and the Hound is one of those relatively rare Disney animated features that contains a useful lesson for its younger audiences. It's not just cute animals and frightening adventures and a happy ending; it's also a rather thoughtful meditation on how society determines our behavior."[13]
The film gained a considerable following and was awarded a Golden Screen Award at the Goldene Leinwand Awards in 1982. It was also nominated for a Young Artist Award and the Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Film. It has a "fresh" 70% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 20 reviews (with a 6.7 score), and a score of 87% among users of Rotten Tomatoes with a 7.1 score.
Midquel
A direct-to-video midquel, The Fox and the Hound 2, was released on December 12, 2006. The film takes place during Tod and Copper's youth, and therefore does not follow the events that occur at the end of this film.
Soundtrack Listing
- "Best of Friends" – Music by Richard Johnston, Lyrics by Stan Fidel, Performed by Pearl Bailey
- "Lack of Education" – Music and Lyrics by Jim Stafford, Performed by Pearl Bailey
- "A Huntin' Man" – Music and Lyrics by Jim Stafford, Performed by Jack Albertson
- "Appreciate the Lady" – Music and Lyrics by Jim Stafford, Performed by Pearl Bailey
- "Goodbye May Seem Forever" – Music by Richard Rich, Lyrics by Jeffrey Patch, Performed by Jeanette Nolan
References
- ^ a b The Official Disney Trivia Book: Paperjacks, date 1988, pages 63-64 , ISBN 07701-1002-9 info on cost and book source story info'
- ^ a b "The Fox and the Hound (1981)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2008-09-20.
- ^ [1]Roger Ebert's review of the film
- ^ a b c "The Fox and the Hound Movie History". Disney Archives. Retrieved 23 April.
{{cite web}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ a b Finch, Christopher: "Chapter 9: The End of an Era", pages 260-266. The Art of Walt Disney, 2004
- ^ [2]Variety information on Disney Animation school and new animators starting with this film
- ^ [3] Reference from Animation World Magazine, reference for this section
- ^ "Don Bluth Ireland". Cataroo. Retrieved 23 April.
{{cite web}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ "Biography". Don Bluth Official Website. Retrieved 23 April.
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suggested) (help) - ^ "The Fox and the Hound Movie Review". Answers.com. Retrieved 23 April.
{{cite web}}
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ignored (|access-date=
suggested) (help) - ^ Maltin, Leonard: "Chapter 3: Without Walt", page 275. The Disney Films, 2000
- ^ [4]Time magazine review.
- ^ [5]Roger Ebert's review of the film