The Fox and the Hound (1981)
The Fox and the Hound: also known as the Disney movie that makes every child weep into their pillows. No one really knows why it was made, and no one knows why children are forced to watch it, but I’ve never met anyone who was spared.
Two little animals become friends as pups, a little fox and a little hound dog. They meet in innocent circumstances and have no idea that once they grow up, one will end up chasing the other to its death. It’s supposed to be a sweet lesson on socialization, but I prefer South Pacific’s lesson: “You’ve got to be taught before it’s too late, before you are six seven or eight, to hate all the people your relatives hate.” It’s succinct in one song lyric without breaking little kids’ hearts. When the fox and the hound grow up, they’re voiced by Mickey Rooney and Kurt Russell, respectively. Mickey knows he’s the target of fox hunts, and Kurt knows he’s supposed to sniff his old pal out so the humans can kill him. Why anyone thought this was a suitable children’s movie is beyond me. The premise itself is too upsetting, and there are several scenes that are extremely frightening. Not only are there gigantic bears more vicious and larger than in real life, but there are guns and attempted killing of the little animals the children have become attached to. Everyone seems to complain about the beginning of Bambi, but for some reason The Fox and the Hound gets a free pass. In the supporting cast are Pearl Bailey, Jack Albertson, and Sandy Duncan, and you’ll get to hear the classic song “Best of Friends.”
More Mickey Rooney movies here!
Two little animals become friends as pups, a little fox and a little hound dog. They meet in innocent circumstances and have no idea that once they grow up, one will end up chasing the other to its death. It’s supposed to be a sweet lesson on socialization, but I prefer South Pacific’s lesson: “You’ve got to be taught before it’s too late, before you are six seven or eight, to hate all the people your relatives hate.” It’s succinct in one song lyric without breaking little kids’ hearts. When the fox and the hound grow up, they’re voiced by Mickey Rooney and Kurt Russell, respectively. Mickey knows he’s the target of fox hunts, and Kurt knows he’s supposed to sniff his old pal out so the humans can kill him. Why anyone thought this was a suitable children’s movie is beyond me. The premise itself is too upsetting, and there are several scenes that are extremely frightening. Not only are there gigantic bears more vicious and larger than in real life, but there are guns and attempted killing of the little animals the children have become attached to. Everyone seems to complain about the beginning of Bambi, but for some reason The Fox and the Hound gets a free pass. In the supporting cast are Pearl Bailey, Jack Albertson, and Sandy Duncan, and you’ll get to hear the classic song “Best of Friends.”
More Mickey Rooney movies here!