Review of The Fox and the Hound (1981) by David A — 27 Jul 2014

The Fox and the Hound is a very different film from what we have come to know about Disney, it is very serious for a lot of the film, and relies mostly on its very well written screenplay for its success in touching you emotionally and exposing a vital flaw in society.

It is a film that is dear to me, because I used to watch it all the time as a kid, and it still touches me emotionally, but it does have some very crucial flaws in the animation. The animation is just very bland and unoriginal, it seems to copy much of the imagery seen in Bambi, but what's worst about it is that there is literally no life in the backgrounds.

Some of the time there is absolutely nothing in the frame besides the character's face or body and a shading of one color behind it. Also, the tone of the coloring and atmosphere of the film seems to never change, making the film seem dull and static.

However, the climax with the chase and the bear fight is one of the most gripping climaxes to any Disney film, and is absolutely perfectly directed and animated. The climax also leads to a visually and emotionally poetic shot to end the film, which is may be one of the most beautiful endings to a Disney film.

So I would say, considering, that Disney had to deal with Don Bluth and their top animators walking out in the middle of production, this film turned out remarkably well. However, its flaws in design keep this film from Disney greatness, and probably drops it from what could have been a top Disney film to a film that is a little below middle of the pack.

But if you are an animated film buff this is definitely essential viewing.