101 Dalmatians

 

 

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"101 Dalmatians" was the first movie that I took my son to see in a movie theater. He could not have had any idea of what sort of magical place we were walking into with all those rows of seats and the giant curtain (this was a classic movie palace in Champaign, Illinois, with a gigantic screen and all of the seats laid out in a horizontal rectangle rather than the traditional vertical arrangement). I think the first movie I saw in a movie theater was "Pinocchio," although I might be wrong. I do remember that the first movie I saw that was neither at the drive-in nor at the base theater was "Mary Poppins." We drove to some town near the base and had to wait in line during the showing we had intended to see in order to actually get in to the one after that. Decades later when Disney released "Mary Poppins" for the last time in theaters I finally got to see it again, and remembering how great it had been that first time many years ago was something of an emotional experience. I wonder if my son will have anything like that reaction when he sees "101 Dalmatians" on DVD; after all, it is not quite the same.

The story here should be familiar to most. Dog (Pongo) meets dog Purdy) and helps boy meet girl. The dogs have puppies and the evil Cruella De Vil wants to buy the puppies to make a fur coat, thereby giving rise to a generation of children who grow up to be anti-fur. Cruella arranges for the puppies to be puppynapped, at which point Pongo and Purdy go off to the rescue, aided and abetted by a nice collection of supporting animal characters as the story goes on to reveal the meaning of the title (the movie is both anti-fur and pro-adoption). The tale is relatively simple simply, but it is hard not to have 99 spotted puppies and not be rather charming, espcially given the dedication of the Disney studio to giving each of the original puppies their own personalities (and patterns of spots).

This is the eleventh release of Disney's Platinum Editions, and in their effort to update the idea that the studio's films are something special, Disney has been loading up these DVDs with a quantity and quality of extras that make the folks putting out the Criterion Collection editions seem like pikers. There are two pop-up tracks with 101 trivia facts, the first geared for the family and the second intended for the family (somebody actually counted all of the dogs' spots throughout the movie). Disc One also has another one of those teeny-bopper music videos with Selena Gomez of "Hannah Montana" doing "an all-new rocking version" of "Cruella De Vil" (Like there was an old rocking version). There are more treats to be found on Disc Two divided in Games & Activities (e.g., Puppy Profiler, "101 Dalmatians" Fun With Language Games), Music & More (deleted songs, extended versions, and the "Kanine Krunchies" Jingle), and Backstage Disney. That last one has a half-hour featurette on the innovative art work of the film, "Cruella De Vil: Drawn to Be Bad," a reenactment of the correspondence between Walt Disney and author Dodie Smith, and an assortment of trailers, radio and TV spots. In short, there is way too much here to get through in one sitting. Final Note: "Sleeping Beauty" is due for a Fall release this year and the lucky 13th Platinum Edition will finally be "Pinocchio."

Note: This review is of the most recently issued (2008) version.

I find it difficult to believe that it has been 47 years since this film first appeared. (I also find it difficult to believe that I now have ten grandchildren with whom to watch it.) Credit the Disney organization with providing with this latest restored version a generous selection of bonus features that substantially increase the pleasure of seeing this classic film once again. They include a DVD-ROM of a "Virtual Dalmatians Game," "Op-Up Trivia Facts," and "The Making of One Hundred and One Dalmations," and correspondence between "Sincerely yours, Walt Disney" and Dodie Smith, author of the novel on which the film is based.

The basic plot involves two lonely dalmatians (Pongo and Perdita) who meet in a London park and whose owners then meet and marry. Over time, the dalmatians become parents of 15 puppies who are stolen by Cruella De Vil who is determined to make a fur coat out of their skins. That doesn't happen, of course, but younger children get all caught up in efforts to rescue the puppies (at least when viewing the film for the first time) just as they do when hoping that Pinocchio will be reunited with Gepetto, that Snow White will awaken from her deep sleep, and that Belle and the Beast will live happily ever after. In the best of Disney's animated features, there always seems to be a subtext of menace and this film is no exception. When observing Cruella De Vil's behavior, many of those in my generation will be reminded of Gloria Swanson's portrayal of Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard. In terms of quality of its story, art, and music, 101 Dalmatians deserves to be ranked among Disney's finest animated films. The special features offer an exceptional "bonus."

My only concern, frankly, is that once again, many adults who are charmed by the Dalmatian puppies will decide -- or feel great pressure from children -- to purchase one. They would be well-advised to learn all about the breed first. Perhaps the next time around, Disney could add a special feature that provides such information. Just a thought....

Ma petite soeur adore énormément les animaux, particulièrement les chiens. Quand elle tombe à un jour de congé, c'est automatique quelle fera jouer ce film en sirotant un bon café :-)

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5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent !
J'Ai reçu le produit en très bonne condition et la livraison fût rapide. Merci beaucoup :) Encore une fois j'ai été très satisfaite.

Published 4 months ago by Josette C

5.0 out of 5 stars 101 Dalmations
Even after 50 years this movie is still an excellent children's movie! My grandson watches it over and over. Read more

Published 11 months ago by Karen

3.0 out of 5 stars Disney's 17th Animated Masterpiece!
To refresh the Disney Company from the finacial failure of Sleeping Beauty, they decided to use a more modern form of literature and make that into a film, from there came 101... Read more

Published on Mar 5 2004 by FredeRicko

5.0 out of 5 stars A disney masterpiece!
Set in London, a handsome bachelor with his pet Dalmatian Pongo seeks eyes on a beautiful Dalmatian with a beautiful owner. Read more

Published on Jan 10 2004 by John Lindsey

5.0 out of 5 stars 101 Thumbs Up!!!!
The animated version of this is tremendous. This is the first Disney movie that I have ever owned, and I still have it after 10 or more years. Read more

Published on Nov 24 2003 by chris

4.0 out of 5 stars Calling all dogs, we must find the puppies!
We purchased the cartoon version at our first opportunity, and this has been a heavily watched movie by our kids, especially when they were pre-kindergarten. Read more

Published on Aug 10 2003 by JediMack

5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING
101 dalmations is hands down the best and most underrated disney animated film in existence. The "live" version with Glenn Close was a complete insult and disgrace and... Read more

Published on Dec 12 2002 by jess

5.0 out of 5 stars *~cruella de~vil~*cruel~la de~vil~~*
a classic. no need for words. i never get tired of watching this. it's not even that easy to find elsewhere.

Published on May 27 2002

4.0 out of 5 stars 101 Dalmatians
101 Dalmatians was a bit of a surprise to me. I usually do not go for Disney/Pixar movies (especially the new ones), but this
truly a classic. Read more

Published on Mar 17 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars Fast-moving film in a new style
The technical innovation of "Xerography" is on prominent display in this film, the first animated feature to use the process. Read more

Published on Mar 15 2002 by Timothy Hulsey

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