I first saw "Song of the South" when Disney released it in theatres in 1986. I was 9 at the time and loved it.
Since then, with the movie available on videotape or DVD, I've always wondered whether the movie contained horrible content that went over my head as a kid.
Well now it is 2011, I downloaded the movie on torrent (since Disney won't make it available legally), and I screened it with a few friends. Like many other reviewers here, I was shocked by how harmless and sweet this movie actually is. If you've seen Treasure Island or Mary Poppins, you know the general tone of this movie. Uncle Remus is an awesome character, dignified and creative, and the animated sequences with Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox and Brer Bear are as laugh-out-loud funny as any Loony Tunes cartoon.
Yes, the movie presents a dated and saccharine view of life on plantation for African-Americans. Some of the dialects used are stereotypical, though nothing worse than you'll find in a Martin Lawrence or Tyler Perry movie. But while the movie convey common stereotypes of the 1940s, there is nothing racist or mean-spirited here.
Disney obviously shouldn't release this as if there is nothing controversial about it. Feel free to install a title card at the beginning explaining that the movie is from the 1940s and contains stereotypes that will appear dated now. But damn, release this movie! It really is a classic tale of imagination and friendship.
Since then, with the movie available on videotape or DVD, I've always wondered whether the movie contained horrible content that went over my head as a kid.
Well now it is 2011, I downloaded the movie on torrent (since Disney won't make it available legally), and I screened it with a few friends. Like many other reviewers here, I was shocked by how harmless and sweet this movie actually is. If you've seen Treasure Island or Mary Poppins, you know the general tone of this movie. Uncle Remus is an awesome character, dignified and creative, and the animated sequences with Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox and Brer Bear are as laugh-out-loud funny as any Loony Tunes cartoon.
Yes, the movie presents a dated and saccharine view of life on plantation for African-Americans. Some of the dialects used are stereotypical, though nothing worse than you'll find in a Martin Lawrence or Tyler Perry movie. But while the movie convey common stereotypes of the 1940s, there is nothing racist or mean-spirited here.
Disney obviously shouldn't release this as if there is nothing controversial about it. Feel free to install a title card at the beginning explaining that the movie is from the 1940s and contains stereotypes that will appear dated now. But damn, release this movie! It really is a classic tale of imagination and friendship.