Review of So Dear to My Heart (1948) by Brian R — 23 Mar 2010

Walt's most biographical film is so full of nostalgia, sentimentality, sincerity, Christian lessons, and trains that it was probably outdated even on its release in '48. However, the 14 minutes of animated sequences are beautiful and definitely ahead of their time.

The score is lovely as well. Burl Ives's simple yet wise, semi-retarded, handyman man-child probably comes off as creepy among today's audiences. This is the Disneyiest of Disney, and it probably takes a 90-year-old void of any trace of cynicism or a good understanding and appreciation of who Walt was to find enjoyment from this tale of a small town farm boy and his big dreams of taking his pet lamb to the county fair.