Review of One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) by Felix C — 08 Nov 2013

Gripping story, delightful characters, top-notch voice acting, great music and outstanding animation, it's no wonder 101 Dalmatians is still considered to be one of the great Disney Classics. Based on the 1956 novel "The 101 Dalmatians" by Dodie Smith, Disney had managed to bring it's characters and old London atmosphere to life in such a captivating way, it's almost as if he had come up with the idea himself.

The book is just as good as the movie... I'm not taking anything away from the original author. One of the many things I found well done in the film is the dialogue of the characters, more specifically, the dialogue between the human characters and the animal characters.

Even though we can understand them (through actual speech, and facial expressions), the humans are totally unaware of what these dogs are actually doing (ex: messaging all the dogs in the city through barking).

Because these humans could not understand them and try to keep them quiet just intensifies the situation. Without a doubt, Cruella De Vil (the villain) makes the movie for what it's worth. Marc Davis's design of the character was flawless.

This frail and immensely scrawny woman under that enormous fur coat practically defines the character. It's as if the weight of that coat means nothing to her, all for her love and lust for furs. She said so herself! "My only true love, darling-I LIVE for furs-I WORSHIP furs! .

..Is there anyone in this wretched world who doesn't?" ... well, maybe not as much as you. In fact, she's willing to go so far that she would have all these cute innocent puppies-STOLEN!!!- and to be killed and skinned IN HER OWN HOME.

It's obvious that there's no stopping her. Looking at her own appearance, she cares more of the beauty that she could buy, than her own health... seriously. The black and white of her hair, the ying and yang of her personality.

In fact, it was her that drove the story onwards-which... is one of the main duties of the antagonist )driving the story and characters to challenging them to an obstacle, which in the end, is supposed to reveal some kind of moral), which brings me to my next point.

One critic whom I despise, had said that the movie had nothing to give other than a pointless story about cute little puppies, as well as unappealing animation. First of all, it does have a story: The influences of greed and passion, how strong is love between the good and the bad (Pongo and Perdita to their children (15) vs Cruella and her fur).

One thing he didn't take into consideration was that the movie was based on a book. Would Disney have made a classic animated film on a book without a story? Now, the animation. It's perfect. You can't criticize the animation of Milt Kahl! These guys had to study live references of dogs just to get everything with the movement, appearance, and personalities of the characters to be as spotless (no pun intended because.

.. DALMATIANS!!!) as possible. The timing, and weight of the characters were so believable that when the movie had finished, I only just realized I was watching a cartoon. You've hit too many birds with one stone, or in this case, a boulder! The animation is different, NOT WORSE.

It was done by printing each frame on celluloid rather than draw directly on them. So volume shading was very scarce which took away the three dimensional appeal of the characters. Have YOU ever tried to animate spots on a movement character and still look believable? IT'S NOT EASY.

I love this movie. The amount of heart and care put into the creation and result of this movie gives it all the reasons why 101 Dalmatians still remains a Disney classic. A true masterpiece of both art and story which Walt Disney should be proud of.

I rate this movie 8.1/10.