Anthomation Assesses The Top 5 60’s-70’s Disney Films

Howdy guys, Anthomaton here. Today I shall continue with my series lookback on Walt Disney Animation Studios. Here are my top 5 60’s-70’s Disney films.

5. Robin Hood (1973):

An amiable rooster called Alan-a-Dale (Roger Miller) tells stories and sings songs of the heroic Robin Hood (Brian Bedford) and his trusty sidekick, Little John (Phil Harris), in this animated animal-themed adaptation of the legendary story. When evil Prince John (Peter Ustinov) deputizes the Sheriff of Nottingham (Pat Buttram) to collect unreasonable taxes from the animals of Sherwood Forest, Robin, Little John and the other merry men wage a lighthearted battle against their evil foes. This film has that old, timeless feel. While it does have its fair amount of padding, it has memorable characters and a high spirited atmosphere that makes it fun to watch to this day. Also, Prince John’s line of “This crown gives me a feeling of power!” makes me laugh every time on a literal and ironic level.

Score:

8/10

4. The Jungle Book (1967):

In this classic Walt Disney animation based on Rudyard Kipling’s book, Mowgli, an abandoned child raised by wolves, has his peaceful existence threatened by the return of the man-eating tiger Shere Khan (George Sanders). Facing certain death, Mowgli must overcome his reluctance to leave his wolf family and return to the “man village.” But he is not alone on his quest: Aided by Bagheera the panther, and later by the carefree bear Balloo (Phil Harris), he braves the jungle’s many perils. With one of most lively soundtracks and painfully underrated villains, this film still has more than enough to offer to the entire family. In particular, Bear Necessities makes me want to dance! 

Score: 

8/10

3. The Aristocats (1970):

When a retired opera singer leaves her inheritance to her cat, Duchess (Eva Gabor), and three kittens, the woman’s butler drugs the cats and abandons them in the countryside in order to inherit the fortune himself. Lost in unfamiliar territory, Duchess and the kittens meet Thomas O’Malley (Phil Harris), an alley cat willing to help them return to their home in Paris. They meet several kooky characters along the way, including two English geese and an alley cat jazz band. I have no reason why this film gets so many bad reviews. It has an constant up beat feel to it, with great songs, and an intriguing story about lying and betrayal. Yes I am aware of the infamous piano alley cat that may or may not be a Chinese stereotype, but that does not take away from the rest of the movie.

Score:

8/10

2. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977):

It tells the adventures of bumbling bear Winnie the Pooh as he battles a nest of vicious bees over a trove of honey, weathers a terrible wind storm and endures the foibles of the hyperactive tiger Tigger, all while singing and bumbling his way through the Hundred Acre Wood. Kanga, Piglet, Owl, Rabbit and Eeyore round out the menagerie in this trio of animated tales adapted from A.A. Milne’s celebrated series of children’s books. Some of you might be surprised to see this as number two on the list, but I can explain myself. This film is the definition of innocent. No matter how you look at this film, you just can’t criticize it that much. And it is because of the setting and characters. The Hundred Acre Wood is ingrained in almost every little kid’s mind and can take adults back to a place of simpler time. And the characters are some of the most memorable in Disney’s illustrious history. It does not have the conventional one story plot, but it keeps being a childhood staple.

Score:

8.5/10

1.One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961):

In a Disney animation classic, Dalmatian Pongo is tired of his bachelor-dog life. He spies lovely Perdita and maneuvers his master, Roger, into meeting Perdita’s owner, Anita. The owners fall in love and marry, keeping Pongo and Perdita together too. After Perdita gives birth to a litter of 15 puppies, Anita’s old school friend Cruella De Vil wants to buy them all. Roger declines her offer, so Cruella hires the criminal Badun brothers to steal them — so she can have a fur coat. Let’s start with Cruella. She is in the top grouping of Disney villains because of her devious and psychotic nature. She is loads of fun to watch. Also, this film has one of the unique visual styles, with its sketchy, but graceful look. This is a top 10 Disney classic!

Score:

9.5/10