Dumbo (1941)

Produced quick and cheap just before World War II, Dumbo was originally only intended to make some money and keep the studio in the public eye until the release of Bambi. But in order to make Snow White, Pinocchio and Fantasia Walt Disney had gathered the most improbably large and talented team of animators and storytellers to ever be assembled, so it shouldn’t be surprising that a “quick little film about a circus elephant” made by such a group of people turned out to be good. What is surprising is that it’s actually something of a masterpiece in terms of both animation and storytelling.

Based on a children’s book that was reworked by legends Joe Grant and Dick Huemer, Dumbo tells the story of an outcast baby circus elephant born with enormous ears that simultaneously serve as the cause of his social trials and his eventual triumph since, it turns out, they also give him the power of flight, making him the star act at the circus. While this overarching story is straightforward, if not cartoonish (duh), there is a strong, well developed connection established between Dumbo and his mother who in the course of events is suddenly taken away, creating all of the movies best dramatic tension and heart-wrenching moments. I dare anyone to not be moved when little Dumbo goes to visit his mother for the first time since she was locked up. Of course the effect is only enhance by good music and this movie has loads of that as well. It also has great supporting characters and a number of brilliant moments like the ever popular “pink elephants on parade” sequence.

At a runtime of about an hour it’s one of Disney’s shortest feature films but it’s one that has, maybe, the most heart. Many consider it the greatest animated movie of all time, with good reason, and I come pretty close to agreeing with them.

  I give it 4.8 magic feathers