Dumbo

"Dumbo" (1941), here digitally restored, was created during a time of turmoil: not only World War II but the fanous strike by artists at the Disney studio. You'd never know any of this backstage grief from what we see onscreen. Originally designed as an animated short, Disney reconceived it as a a sixty-four minute feature. The storyline was slightly expanded and marvelous songs by Frank Churchill and Oliver Wallace were composed to accent the movie's highlights. Unlike its predecessors—"Snow White," "Pinocchio," "Fantasia"—"Dumbo" never strained for special visual effects. The story is told simply, with pitch-perfect animation and beautful use of watercolors. (Surprisingly, it was created by Disneys' B-team. The producer had a deep bench of talent.) Producers and animators knew when to cut loose, however, and they did so here with terrific effect: the tender lulllaby "Baby Mine," sung to Dumbo by his mother, and the hilariously inebriated "Pink Elephants on Parade,' in which surreal fantasy is laid upon fanstasy.Finally, the movie relies on its basic themes of love, friendship, and confidence in one's self when intimidated by those who cannot discern difference as giftedness. Whatever your age, if you can't shed a tear when Dumbo is separated from his mother, chained for protecting her child, check with your doctor. Your heart may have turned to stone.On a single disc is a surprsing number of special features: a deleted scene, a deleted song, two documentaries covering its production and an audio commentary. This little gem is worth all of it."Dumbo" was never intended to make the splash of its predecessors. Its perfection lies in its simplicity. Many on Walt's staff believed that they never made a better animated picture during that era. They just may have been right.

"Dumbo" is, quite simply, one of the greatest films of all time; animated or live-action. The movie is a masterpiece of animated, economical and, above all, emotional storytelling. On the surface, the story may seem simple, but the movie has more emotional impact than any other Disney film. Was there any other Disney character who suffered more abuse and mistreatment than Dumbo? Well, maybe Cinderella. And, like Cinderella, Dumbo rises (Dumbo literally flies) above his miserable circumstances and achieves a heartwarming triumph.Anyone who has felt like a misfit or an outcast from society will relate to the plight of poor elephant Dumbo; who is labeled a literal "circus freak" just because of his oversized ears. When his mother. Mrs. Jumbo, protects him from a bratty circus patron, she is jailed. Dumbo's only friend is Timothy, an enterprising little mouse who plans to make Dumbo a circus star. When the first plan goes disasterously awry, causing the Big Top to topple, Dumbo is furthur humilated by being turned into a clown. After Dumbo and Timothy accidentally drink from a water bucket filled with whiskey , they find themselves up in the treetops the next morning. A group of wisecracking crows suggest that Dumbo got up into the trees by flying up. Lacking confidence, Dumbo is told that a "magic feather" held in his trunk will make him fly. Back at the circus, the feather is dropped and Timothy reveals it was just a psychological device. Timothy tells him he could fly all the time, if he will just open up his ears and BELIEVE in himself. Thus, Dumbo becomes a star at last when his big ears, once considered to be his greatest liability, become his greatest asset. Dumbo's triumph is especially sweet, because the audience has suffered along with Dumbo. Our tears are honestly shed, and our smiles at his victory are joyous."Dumbo" is Disney's most unpretentious classic; The animation style of "Dumbo" recalls the happy, vibrant spirit and colors of Disney's earlier "Silly Symphonies" short cartoons; before the "feature-length" sensation of "Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs." "Dumbo" is a perfectly emotionally balanced film; alternately heartbreaking and heartwarming. The music is another great aspect of the film. "Casey Jr." establishes the perfect circus mood. Three other moments, each very different in tone and mood, are memorable moments in music and animation. If you don't cry during the gentle lullabye "Baby Mine", your heart must be made of stone. "Pink Elephants On Parade" is a wild, surreal sequence. Finally, the crows big number "When I See An Elephant Fly" provides a pivitol turning point in the film.The 70th Anniversary Edition improves over previous DVD releases of the film, with better animated menus and more vibrant colors. A short segment on the popular "Dumbo Ride" at Disneyland and Disneyworld is included. Best of all is a 28 Minute "Making Of Dumbo" documentary, detailing how Walt Disney found "Dumbo" at a time of great financial crisis. Disney's first animated feature "Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs" (1937) was instantly acclaimed as one of the most groundbreaking films in cinema history and quickly broke box-office records. Disney spent all the money made from "Snow White" on "Pinocchio" and "Fantasia", neither of which returned a profit. To survive, Disney needed a shorter, smarter story and "Dumbo" was absolutely perfect. Lacking the "high art" pretentiousness of "Fantasia," "Dumbo" is, converesly emotional art, and the public took "Dumbo", released just before Pearl Harbor and America's involvement in World War II, to heart immediately. "Dumbo" was in production while an animators' strike was looming at Disney Studios. The animators must have felt a special emotional connection to "Dumbo"; because they completed it just before going on strike."Dumbo" is always in my heart. I think every person should have "Dumbo" in their DVD collection, but you won't be able to watch it without a big box of Kleenex.