Sherrill777 The Bad:So I've heard that the "hidden theme" of this movie was inter-racial friendship. If so, it was a VERY hidden theme as I don't think anyone would realize this without being told. Also, it has an extremely poor message of pro-segregation, if you were to analyze the film this way. However, since I don't think any small child is going to grasp that kind of message, I think it's worth ignoring that theme and taking this film more literally – evolving friendship and loss that happens to all of us over time. And since that theme is a good thing, so I'll address it more in the next paragraph. Moving on to other 'bad' things: the music in this is...folksy. Not a style with a huge following, and not one I care for. The animation is not particularly beautiful either. There is a bit of an anti-hunting message, but again, not strong enough to be a problem for those who disagree, I think. The love interest is very bland and there's no lead-up to the pair falling in love, but I don't think you can expect much from a pair of foxes!The Good:Coming back to the movie themes, I find the idea of childhood friends growing apart and ending up in different places (literally or metaphorically) is a realistic and important idea to explore in film and I think this movie does an okay job at that. Granted, there's an interlude of serious antagonism before the resolution, which hopefully won't be found in our children's relationships, but the bittersweet ending is one that I think can resonate with children who have moved or known grief. This is also one of the most realistic of Disney's animated films (talking animals not withstanding). There's no magic, no real villains (not even the dog's owner is really a bad man). Just two animals who are figuring out how the world works and what their place in it is. And, coming back to themes, there is the underlying sense that without outside interference, the animals would have stayed good friends. But that's life – no one lives in a bubble and things outside our control can impact us. The ending isn't a happy one, but it is a realistic and satisfying one. The Mom View:I feel like this is a forgotten Disney classic. Not one of their most famous films, and it probably deserves to be ranked somewhere in the lower middle range of their animated movies. But I still like it and feel it's worth ensuring my kids are familiar with. The friendship that defies the normal way of things is a cute, sweet part of the movie. The depth of misunderstanding (which is never adequately resolved, but is forgiven) can get overly intense and the bear can be down-right frightening for young children, so I'll have my kids see this when they are middle elementary age. Overall, not my favorite Disney animated movie and not one a child would miss if they never saw it, but it's not bad and worth renting. 6/10

sol- Best friends as infants, a hound dog and fox inevitably grow up to be mortal enemies in this popular animated film from Walt Disney Studios. Some of the hand drawn animation is quite breathtaking, the animal characters are endearing and the dramatic crux of the film works well, however, this is seldom regarded as one of Disney's better animated movies with good reason. The attempts to inject humour into the bleak tale work less than half the time, the songs are not especially memorable and having the fox's owner narrate her sentimental thoughts aloud actually subtracts from the immediacy of a key scene. The most awkward aspect of the film is the inclusion of a love interest for the fox. Sandy Duncan's vocal performance is decent enough, but her vixen character adds nothing to the film and the scenes of the two foxes romancing once another are so far removed from the fox/hound central story that the movie comes to a near stand-still. The upbeat ending additionally feels entirely wrong given how grim and serious the film is at its best. And there are some surprisingly graphic scenes here - most notably a train tracks accident. It is hard not to wonder what may have been here had Disney chosen to milk the dramatic potential of the material for all that it is worth. Apparently, the film differs quite largely from the book it is based on as it is.

Anssi Vartiainen The Fox and the Hound is nothing more than another Disney film about animals gallivanting around, having merry old time. At least to a child. Seen as an adult, it's a bit more than that.The movie is about two young animals. A fox named Todd, taken in by an elderly woman and nursed to adulthood as her pet. And a hunting dog named Copper, owned by a curmudgeon aging hunter. The film follows their lives through their days as two innocent young cubs and into adulthood where their roles in the so called circle of life start to assert themselves.The story itself isn't all that complicated and I'm pretty sure most of its underlying themes go straight over the head of most children. But its those themes that give this movie its depth and weight. The themes of childhood innocence, societal roles and expectations, defying one's place in the grand scheme of things, of friendship, bravery and regret. It's also one of the Disney films with an ending that isn't pure sugarcoated saccharine, fittingly so, given the subject matter.The Fox and the Hound is not one my favourite Disney films, mainly because I find the two main characters to be somewhat bland, but I do find it to be one of the subtlest Disney movies and well worth a watch as an adult even if you haven't seen it as a child.

OllieSuave-007 This is Disney's 24th full length animated feature film, a movie that will tug at your heart strings. It tells the tale of a fox and hound named Todd and Copper, who have befriended each other and vowed to remain best friends. However, as time went by, Copper has been trained to be a hunting dog, thereby, putting the friendship between him and Todd at risk.It is an innocent, heartwarming and charming movie that is simply endearing, from Todd and Copper's frolicking around the forest to birds Dinky and Boomers' slapstick attempt to catch a quick-thinking caterpillar. Even the kindhearted Widow Tweed's chemistry with hunter Amos Slade is captivating to watch, especially when she tries to tame his fiery personality after Todd innocently roams around his property. The sacrificing of Todd and Copper's friendship is powerful to watch and Widow Tweed's parting ways with Todd in the forest is heartbreaking.Each of the character is carefully thought out and each has his/her own unique charm. The character development progresses very well throughout the movie, mimicking that of true human/nature emotions: companionship, friendship, joy, sorrow and survival. The hand-drawn animation is vibrant, songs are meaningful and direction is solid.It's definitely a movie that has that special Disney touch. While there is no magic, fairies, princes and princesses, this film is a captivating and uplifting story of friendship, sacrifice, survival, adventure and renewal, as well as touches of humor. It's definitely a great movie for the entire family to enjoy! Grade A