Reviews (85)

There couldn't be a better Disney movie to own on DVD.
For me, the Fox and the Hound cannot be matched by any other Disney film. Unlike the stiffer, older films and the newer, hokier ones, the atmosphere in TFATH is just perfect, truly a revolutionary point in Disney's timeline. The animation is very fluid and the characters have great design and movement. Most of the songs are more like talking than singing, but they're few and far between and manage to get the point across. A nice change from usual Disney fare in the surprisingly sad ending. Considering I'm pretty desensitized to on-screen emotion, it's unusual that I cry every time I watch this one. It's the ONLY Disney movie that can make me. Even so, there's a number of comedic moments to get rid of the tension. I'm not sure where the Amazon review got the idea that the characters lack depth. Believe me, by the time this one is over, you'll be wanting to see much more of all of them. It's an excellent feature that carries an important message all wrapped up inside a lovable, heartwarming, and poignant story. You owe it to yourself and your children to see this one.

An All-Time Favourite!
"The Fox and the Hound" was of the last films to be apart of the "Black Diamond Collection" before the "Masterpiecee Collection" came to the markets in 1994. The film was released into theaters in 1981 & 1988 and came to video in 1994! This movie is a really great and colorful movie to add too any Disney collector's collection!

The story is about a kind woman who takes in an abandoned baby fox after his mother is killed in a hunting trip. She names him Tod and considers him as part of her family. Tod then meets a bloodhound dog named Copper (Who lives right next door to the kind woman) and they eventually become good friends. They have no clue that they are supposed to be enemies (Since hounds hunt foxs and other forest creatures)

After returning on a hunting trip during the winter with his master (To learn how to hunt), Copper realizes how he shouldn't hang around Tod to prevent Tod from getting killed by his master. By this time, they are both grown up and all the fun times that they had together suddenly don't seem to matter anymore. Eventually, Tod and Copper become enemies and it is Copper's mission to hunt down Tod. You'll be surprised on what happens when Copper and Tod to come face to face!

The film also includes some great songs like "The Best Of Friends" and "Goodbye May Seem Forever" (Which I still cry at when I hear that song!) This movie will also make you cry, so make sure to have a tissue in your hand when approaching the middle part of the movie! All in all, it is a really great movie and people young and old will enjoy watching it! 83 minutes.

A Good Movie for people of all ages
I am sixteen years old and when I saw this movie, it really brought tears to my eyes. It reminds me of how me and my best friend was. I really enjoyed this movie. Everyone should watch it on Family Nights.

Friends to the end.
This is one of my favorite Disney movies. When Widow Tweed takes in a baby fox, whose mother had been shot by hunters, she names it Tod and raises it. About the same time she takes Tod in, her neighbor, Amos Slade brings home a hound dog puppy named Copper.

One day in the woods, Copper and Tod meet and instantly become the best of friends. When fall comes and Amos takes an unwilling Copper along for his winterlong hunting trip, Tod tries to convince his friends, Big Mama, Dinky and Boomer that even though Copper will come back a trained hunting dog, that they will still stay the best of friends. Big Mama tells Tod that a fox and a hound are natural enemies and that, surprise, you ARE a fox.

When the two are finally reunited in the spring, Copper tells Tod that they can't be friends anymore. After a tragic accident involving Amos's other dog Chief, Copper swears that Tod will pay. Widow Tweed, realizing that she can't keep Tod locked up forever, takes Tod to the game preserve and lets him go. Amos resolves to kill the fox, and with Copper's help, goes to track him down. But when Copper has a run in with a bear, Tod comes to his rescue and, ultimately, Copper gets Tod spared from death.

A touching story about friendship that never fails to bring a tear to my eye.

Finally a DVD Version of this Awsome movie
I love this movie a lot it has great music like "Best Of Friends"
"Goodbye may seem Forever" and "Thats what Friends Are For" are all great songs on this DVD. ... Read more

Reviews (96)

Not a terrible movie, but not great, either.
As other people have mentioned, the characters are rather flat, and the plot is just a variation on the must-save-world-from-scary-guy theme. If you can ignore the predictability and the contrived and sappy ending, it's an okay flick. Eye candy, and the kids'll probably like it -- I did, when I was younger.

If you're going to watch it, though, please DON'T read the books first. Read the books, by all means, but if you read them before watching the movie, you'll find the flick unbearable. Disney changed so much, and with no fathomable reason behind most of the changes. The changes to the character of Fflewddur Fflam hit me especially hard, since he's my favorite from the books -- apart from the name and harp, he's unrecognizable. Basically, everything's been simplified and, well, Disneyfied. All of the PG rating comes from visuals, and any bad things happening to the good guys are fleeting, unlike the books, which carry the more difficult -- but true -- lesson that life can be unfair sometimes.

Anyway, in closing, the movie isn't bad, but as has been said, the books are far better. If you're thinking of buying it for your kids, especially, I'd highly recommend getting the books instead and sharing them. If they like Harry Potter, they're almost sure to like these. The Prydain Chronicles have a depth and a warmth to them that's difficult to find; I first read them when I was a kid, and I find myself re-reading them every few years or so.

Disney wrost movie.
Why bother with this wrost cartoon. There heads are not on tight. I let the MST3000 think about this movie.

Among the Bigger Dissapointments in the Movie World
As an adoring fan of the Lloyd Alexander books this film was loosely adapted from, I have to admit that I have a biased view. The books are so lovely that I purchased this video before seeing it, assuming that since Disney was given such great material to work with it would be a piece of art. I was sorely dissapointed. I suggest that any fan of the books stay away from this movie all together, or at least view it before you make the investment in purchasing it. You'll find many important characters missing, and several key elements to the plot have changed.
I feel that Disney would have done well to make the full series, rather than try and combine the events of The Book of Three and The Black Cauldron and cram them into one movie.
However, Disney's version of The Black Cauldron does have its good points. The animation is rather nice. It's rather simple, but it serves its purpose very well. It's a bit refreshing to see Disney make such a different movie from it's norm. This one is very dark, and doesn't rely on song to pull you in. The characters, while dissapointing if you're familiar with the books, are still portrayed rather interestingly in their own rights. The Horned King is pretty well established, and early on you get a feeling that he just drips with evil. Gurgi, although very different from his written counterpart, is a very loveable character, and brings a bright spot to the otherwise very gloomy feeling of the film. The voice acting is good, the sound effects are of the highest quality, and the score does an adept job at setting the mood.
If you are unfamiliar with the books, and watch the movie with an open mind, it can really be quite enjoyable, but it's noteworthy that this movie has a PG Rating, not the G Rating that most annimated Disney films feature. There are some scenes that I find rather innapropriate for a children's film, including a scene where Fflewddur is changed into a toad and gets stuck in a woman's cleavage, and some of the scenes with The Horned King and the Cauldron-Born which may be very disturbing for sensitive children. I recommend parents pre-view this movie before deeming it appropriate for their young children.

Black & Blue
I love all the risks and new avenues this film took. There is much love and thought that went into its creation. Unfortunately most of this love and attention was focused on looks and not story.

A mixture of visual styles are used in the film, hand-drawn animation, CGI (Disney's first attempt) and even live action smoke. This mixture gives the film a very distinctive look. One that is strikingly different from other Disney animated films.

The Horned King is Disney's most terrifying looking villain ever but he's got the personality of a dead fish. We never connect or understand him like we did say Lady Tremaine or Maleficent. When one character sacrifices himself for the good of the others it should be an act filled with great drama and emotion but it didn't even choke me up much less bring a tear to my eye.

What the film really needs is character development and a clearly thought out plot. About a third of the way through we learn that the film is not about what we were lead to believe (the thwarting of evil) but Tarran's need to accept his position in life. This is a drastic change and the film never really recovers it's footing afterwards.

I'd like to see Disney attempt a film like this again some day because there is much they got right (the tone, character designs, general look of the film). I'd recommend The Black cauldron if you are a serious animation, Disney or fantasy film fan.

A Worthy Effort 3 and a half.
Epic medevil stories are hard to put on film, and are more challenging to put in an animated film. In the Black Cauldron Disney gave it's best. There are a few things though that make the film un-Disney. The characters are not as lovable and iconic on the exception of Gurgi in this movie. The animation is too different and it detatches itself from the other Disney films. The villain is too strong and powerful for a child audience and a little too mediocre for an older crowd. If you look at is as just another movie it really is not that bad, but when comparing it to past Disney effort that is where you run into problems. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Jason Alexander's vocal performance as the hambone father ofLouie, a mute trumpet swan, is quite simply the most entertainingelement of Trumpet of the Swan, an animated version of E.B.White's children's novel. Given to long-winded speeches and flamboyantdisplays (Alexander's extended "death scene" after his character isknicked on the wing is a hoot), the former George Costanza's hot-airwaterfowl partially salvages this oddly unmoving family feature. Thestory concerns the silent Louie (his thoughts are spoken by actorJeffrey Schoeny), who suffers the ridicule of other swans butcommunicates a depth of feeling by playing a brass horn. The restlessscript has difficulty developing a coherent emotional rise; directorRichard Rich (The Swan Princess) would have done well to cutback on the number of discrete episodes that rush by with dizzying,graceless speed. Joe Mantegna signs on as the voice of a big-cityscoundrel who signs Louie to an exploitative music contract, while MarySteenburgen plays Louie's mother, and Reese Witherspoon speaks for thehero's true love. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (13)

My 3-year-old LOVES Trumpet of the Swan! Great for Kids!
Trumpet of the Swan is obviously a film made for children, but one that adults can enjoy too...which is VERY important if your children are like mine and watch their new video DAILY for the first week! I must add that I think it's unfair to hold this movie up to Disney standards as some reviewers seem to be doing. This is NOT a Disney film, which costs about $10 more, and I find it is every bit as good or better than anything else in the childrens home video department.

I've never read the book, so I can't speak to how well it follows the original story (but does anything from Hollywood EVER follow the original book?) And I concede the animation does not meet the highest standards. (There's a pretty obvious flaw in Louie's big trumpet performance.)

But on to the positives...

While the animation isn't the best quality, the color is bright and beautiful! And the vocal talent is terrific! The cast of voices includes Jason Alexander (Father), Mary Steenburgen (Mother), Seth Green (Boyd), Reese Witherspoon (Serena), Carol Burnett and Joe Mantegna. Each actor injects life and personality into their character. I especially liked Mary Steenburgen's "mother" and Jason's "father" is very entertaining. My daughter thinks the camp leader who mumbles through the megaphone is funny--I found him annoying at first but I got the joke when I saw the campfire scene.

And as a music lover I must mention the film's music. Louie's "trumpet voice" is performed by Michael "Patches" Stewart, and the music score is by Marcus Miller. I find myself humming the tunes at work and my 3 year-old is already starting to sing along with the words!

Bottom line...small children will love Trumpet of the Swan!

My Kids Love this Movie
My two children ages 3 and 4 love this movie. In fact, this is one that they routinely watch, rewind and watch again (when I let them). I have sat down and watched this movie several times over and still enjoy it.

This doesn't follow the original book very well. If you are someone that believes a movie has to follow the book word for word you will be dissapointed. However, if you can get past that, you will enjoy this book.

Louis a trumpeter swan is born unable to talk. He falls in love with Serena and can't court her. He goes to school and learns to read and spell and write. However, as other swans can't read it does him very little good. In the meantime his father gets a trumpet for him. Louis learns to talk through the trumpet and music.

This is a classic video. It is well done. I have read reviews for the dvd that say there is poor pictures and audio. This is not the case for the VHS tape we have at our house.

This movie is about relationships between parents and friends and husbands and wives. It is about music and love and more.

Well worth the money.
Enjoy.

I like it all
I sort of liked the story. I didn't like when the father gets hurt but I liked when Serena was like um like you know well I liked when Louis gives Serena his heart cause he loves her.

Not as good as Charlotte's Web
Charlotte's Web is the only movie my 3 year old son has taken any interest in. He watches it over and over. I love Charlotte's Web too, but I've been looking for another movie that he likes equally well. I thought a movie based on a book written by the same author would be just the thing. Nope. He took Trumpet of the Swan out midway through and put Charlotte's Web in. I'll admit that I didn't like it nearly as much either. I didn't find the animation and audio objectionable ( 3 year olds don't care), but the story just seemed a little slow. This movie will probably sit on the shelf.

Heartwarming and just plain nice movie for kids.........
My 3 1/2 year old son loves this movie. It is genuine and cute. I'd recommend it as a great addition to any family video collection. ... Read more

Description

One of the most celebrated Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals of all time is now a magically animated musical adventure certain to have the entire family "Whistling a Happy Tune!" Traveling to the exotic kingdom of Siam to instruct the Royal Children, English Schoolteacher Anna Leonowens soon discovers that her most difficult challenge is the stubborn, imperious King himself. But even as a wondrous friendship grows between Anna and the arrogant monarch, an evil sorcerer is conjuring up a plot to steal the throne! Sparkling with playful new characters kids will love, it's an enchantingly animated tale of royal romance, courtly intrigue and timeless musical favorites, including the timeless Rodgers and Hammerstein songs, "I Whistle a Happy Tune," "Getting to Know You," and "Shall We Dance?" ... Read more

Reviews (7)

The Swan Princess The Enchanted Treasure
I think The Enchanted Treasure is the best of three Swan Princess titles. The new bird character was a welcome addition, and the sorcoress was a lot better than the mountain wizard of the 2nd film. I like the link to the main villian of the first film. One good thing about sequals is that characters are already known so the story moves at a pace that I prefer. While the first movie is good, I like this one a little better.

Very Cute
This movie wasn't the best of the three, but it was very cute. The characters are pretty good in addition to the new bird character. It is good for young kids, not really older audiences, but if you liked the first one, this one should pass fairly well. I liked it.

Best out of 3
This is the best movie out of all 3. When it was on t.v and I found out it was one three times I watch it all three times not missing a single part. And I love the songs they're the best.But I would have to say the one Derek sings Because I Love Her, is the best out of them all. My favorite part was when Derek and Rogers were agruing.

Another annoying unnecessary violent villian sequel
Though some humorous parts, in my opinion overall this has the usual unnecessary violent action and nasty villian try-to-kill Derek or Odette plot. The good parts are overshadowed (pardon the pun) by the bad. Not quite throwaway, but full or irritating voices and not for young children.

"This movie is better than the first"!? Blasphamey!
Do not listen to these Joes saying "Oh this movie is so good!" This movie is bad. Very. It's nothing compared to the MAGNIFICENT first. I can't believe this movie got a 5 in Amazon! I mean, the whole world is dumber when the movie was released. I hope there will NEVER be another Swan Princess... ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Swan Princess is loosely based on the Swan Lake story. Princess Odette, having been turned into a swan by a sorcerer's spell, is held captive at the enchanted lake with friends Jean-Bob the frog, Speed the turtle, and Puffin the bird. Along comes Prince Derek, who becomes involved in liberating her by taking on the villain. This excellent theatrical feature has been criticized for being too similar to Sleeping Beauty, but once you're watching it--with its strong characters, entertaining vocal performances (John Cleese and Steven Wright are particularly funny), fine artwork, and action--such complaints are negligible.

In The Swan Princess III:The Mystery of the Enchanted Treasure, an evil sorceress plans to wreak havoc on Swan Lake by stealing the forbidden arts--a treasure that gives its keeper unlimited power. Odette is kidnapped as part of her master plan, prompting a showdown with Derek. Ambitious in narrative only, this potboiler doesn't look like much in contrast to the first film in the series. It's also a shame the producers couldn't bring back some of the original vocal cast: John Cleese and Steven Wright. --Tom Keogh ... Read more