• Disney’s take on the folk story (finally published in the 17th century but around long before) could easily slide into the late 1930s and early 1940s artistically fertile animation period—it is that well done.
  • The film starts with the opening of the book (certainly common in the era) and the still drawing (stunning) establishing shots and landscapes.
  • It is an enchanting and leisurely 74-minutes. There’s 10-15 minutes on the literal cat and mouse game, nearly that with the melodic morning routine.
  • It is a simple, universal story (easily handed down orally from generation to generation) of goodness overcoming evil.
  • Standouts include the shot of the stepmother’s room, the garden/fountain shot, and of course the famous sapphire blue night-colored backdrop “bippity boppity boo” (written by Al Hoffman, Mack David, and Jerry Livingston- performed by actress Verna Felton)
  • There is also a very nice simulated, forward camera movement eyeing through a broken window of the king, and lastly a castle establishing shot at night—with the resting white moon reflecting on the black water– great detail here
  • Recommend but not quite top 10 of the year quality