Year: 1941
Director: Samuel Armstrong
Country: US
Language: English
Due to the dismal failures of Fantasia and Pinnochio at the box office, Dumbo hoped to be a return to form for Walt Disney Productions. Financial issues forced a modest production budget and was tightly produced. The film would have less intricate details in animation, as evident during the aerial sequences and long shots. In certain sequences the characters have very little detail and even less outline. The end result was a success however, earning more than Disney's two previous features combined.
Ridiculed because of his enormous ears, a young circus elephant is assisted by a mouse to achieve his full potential.
According to the DVD/Blu ray extras, Dumbo is Walt Disney's favourite film that he made before his death. Interesting because originally the man wasn't interested in making the picture, but was enticed when the writers left parts of their script on his desk each morning. Dumbo used watercolor backgrounds because they were cheaper than the gouache and oils used for other films. This cheap tactic proved to be artistically endearing, as each frame looks like it's own unique work of art.
The story itself is a bittersweet tale. The cute elephant's trials and tribulations will hit you in the gut and tear at your heart. Moreso than Bambi, I found myself emotionally drawn to the story and compelled to sympathize with the creature. Light racism aside (the crow's name is Jim, get it?) Dumbo proves to be a worthwhile classic that is full of memorable sequences, like the acid trip that is Pink Elephants on Parade.
Despite being a bit rushed due to the short run-time, Dumbo is certainly one of my favorite Disney films. Even though it's probably the least lavish and least expensive of their filmography, the film has a charm that can never be duplicated.
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