Other than the animation, which is effective but rather cheap, "Freedom River" is a timeless classic. It's a parable about freedom--and is clearly meant to imply that it's about the United States. It follows the country from a time of great freedom and success and pride to a period in which selfishness, xenophobia and ignorance end up destroying the river over time. And, ultimately, the film ends with two obvious choices--fascism or self-determination in order to either deal with this dying river or not. It's all very clever and is well worth seeing--especially today when many of the points in this animated film are extremely true. I also appreciate that although the film obviously has a strong agenda, it is done in a very palatable way and the viewer isn't smashed over the head with the message. Exceptionally well made.