Top Ten: Most Influential Animated Films (3-1)

I decided to post my top 3 influential films in a separate entry, because they each had a far greater impact on me than the others (10 through 4). This is most likely because I watched each of these 3 movies at a very young developing age. They are perhaps the first animated films in which I followed and understood the plot line. They had a very emotional impact on me as a kid, and to this day they bring a nostalgic quality when I watch them again.

3. Dumbo (1941) Walt Disney Studios

Plot Line: This is quite possibly one of the saddest films ever, however it has a happy ending. It's set in a circus, where a baby elephant, Dumbo, is ridiculed for his abnormally large ears. Despite the irregularity his mother loves her newborn child unconditionally. Dumbo is separated from her however, when she loses her temper to protect him from the ridicule. She is locked away and Dumbo must make it on his own with the help of a mouse. He is however very unhappy working at the circus as a clown and misses his mother dearly. He visits her at her confinement, where she cradles him, in a very sad musical sequence. He then has a drunken hallucination with his mouse friend, of which they later realize he can fly. With the support of the mouse and some crows he is able to put his flying skills to the test. At the grand circus show he has a glorious moment by taking flight for all to see and ridiculing all those who ridiculed him. He is able to use his abnormal ears to achieve fame and fortune and is happily reunited with his mother in the end.

Tragedy and Resolve: The young baby Dumbo must overcome all sorts of adversity. First there is his abnormal ears and dealing with the ridicule. However his biggest challenge is the tragedy of being separated from his mother. He is eventually able to overcome the terrible situation thanks to the companionship of friends and inner strength.

Themes: This movie deals with extremely mature themes way beyond a child's developing mind. The central theme is overcoming adversity yet there are also themes of loss, rejection, loneliness, companionship, motherly love, and inner strength. One thing to consider when watching this Disney classic, is the time period that it came out. It was released in 1940 after the Great Depression and the onset of World War II. The setting of this movie is no doubt a bit gloomy due to the time period it was released.  Despite the controversies and extremely sad moments I still think Disney's intentions were for the best. They managed to produce a creative story, with real-life conflicts, and brought it all together with a happy-fairy-tale ending. It's no doubt a classic influential animation. (However I would suggest watching it as an early teenager instead of a child) 

Personal Significance: I remember we owned the VHS of Dumbo, and I watched it several times on our old box TV. I must have been no more than 5 years old, in pre-K or kindergarten. I enjoyed the music and the happy ending, however I also remember it always hit some emotional nerves. I vividly remember the traumatic moments of when Dumbo is ridiculed and separated from his mother. The Baby Mine scene where Dumbo's incarcerated mother cradles her child is perhaps one of the saddest scenes in movie history. Then there was the hallucination scene, Pink Elephants, which also disturbed me immensely. I watched it several times as a child, and believe it was one of the first films to make me feel real genuine emotions.

2. Fantasia (1940) Walt Disney Studios

Plot Line: This unique Disney animation is a program of 8 mini-stories that give homage to classical music. Each section has an animated theme reflective of it's classical score. The first part is a show of abstract colors and lines to the score of Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor. The second part is a season changing dance of flowers, mushrooms, and leaves to the score of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite. The third part is the classic Mickey Mouse magician apprentice to the score of Paul Dukas. The fourth is a visual history of the creation of earth with a score from Igor Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. The fifth is an intermission and introduction of the musical elements of the orchestra.

The sixth part is my favorite, a homage to Greek mythology with centaurs, unicorns, angels, and Gods. It is carried by the beautiful score of Ludwig Van Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony. The seventh part is a comic ballet between hippos, ostriches, elephants, and alligators to the score of Dance of the Hours by Amilcare Ponchielli. The eighth and perhaps most frightening as a kid is the Night on Bald Mountain by Modest Mussorgsky. This final section demonstrates a horrifying devil on a mountain summoning evil spirits, until he is subdued by heavenly bells and a chorus of angels. It's an inspiring ending for such an inspiring movie.

Themes: This is a very unusual animated film as it does not follow a linear plot however is more of a visual and musical stimulation. I suppose the most obvious theme here is an appreciation on the aesthetics of music. However I think there are also themes of love and faith that can be pulled from each minor plot, especially in the case of the Pastoral Symphony and Night on Bald Mountain.

Personal Significance: I remember watching this as a young kid and it always made me feel happy. It had
such a dreamlike quality to it by blending it's animation with beautiful music. My favorite scene was the Pastoral Symphony, for it's heavenly mythological setting of a Greek vineyard. The final sequence on Bald Mountain always use to horrify me, however I enjoyed the religious ending. This film greatly influenced me,  most notably my appreciation of classical music, Greek mythology, and world culture.

1. Land Before Time (1988) Sullivan Bluth Studios

Plot Line: This movie also has powerful emotional moments in it. There is terrible tragedy yet happy resolution in the end. It was not produced by Walt Disney, yet by an all-star production team of George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, and incredible music from James Horner. It's set at the end of the Cretaceous Period, where a terrible drought has caused dinosaurs to migrate for food and water. One of these dinosaurs is an Apatosaurus referred to as a "longneck", and gives birth to a baby she calls, "Littlefoot". This opening birth scene is very awe-inspiring as it demonstrates the strong love between a mother and her child. However as the herd continues to travel, they are attacked by a T-Rex known as SharkTooth. The mother confronts the T-rex and drives him away yet loses her life in protecting her child. Littlefoot must then continue on his own in search of the Great Valley. He is fortunately joined by several other children who have been separated from their parents (Cera the "three-horn", Ducky the "swimmer", Petrie the "flyer", and Spike the "spiketail") The team of five work together to journey through the barren lands of the dying dinosaur age. They have one final confrontation with SharkTooth and then are able to reach the Great Valley. Littlefoot is happily reunited with his grandparents in the end.

Tragedy and Resolve: Similar to Lion King and Dumbo there is a terrible tragic event at the opening of this film where a child is separated from their parent. The death of Littlefoot's mom is an extremely sad, traumatic event for the young viewer. Littlefoot is left alone in a very cruel desolate place. However he is able to press on with his mother's wisdom as well as help from his new companions.

Themes: This film also deals with very mature themes for the young viewer. There is first a strong element of motherly love that sets the tone, however this tone is abruptly pulled away. The viewer must then endure themes of loss, loneliness, and fear, that eventually shape into themes of courage, companionship, and inner-strength.

Personal Significance: I must have been 5 or 6 years old when I watched this and it influenced me greatly. I especially loved the score from James Horner and Dianna Ross's hit song "If We Hold on Together". I believe this movie inspired my fascination with dinosaurs for the next several years as a kid. The emotions I felt were always so powerful watching this film. It influenced me greatly as a kid and to this day it has a heavenly and nostalgic quality to it.



Top Ten Influential Classics

1. Land Before Time (1988)
2. Fantasia (1940)
3. Dumbo (1941)
4. Lion King (1994)
5. Aladdin (1992)
6. Little Mermaid (1989)
7. Goofy Movie (1995)
8. Anastasia (1997)
9. Lady and the Tramp (1955)
10. Robin Hood (1973)

Classic Honorable Mentions

1. Beauty and the Beast (1991)
2. Sword and the Stone (1963)
3. Brave Little Toaster (1987)
4. Peter Pan (1953)
5. The Jungle Book (1967)
6. One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)
7. The Fox and the Hound (1981)
8. Oliver and Company (1988)
9. Pinocchio (1940)
10. Hercules (1997)

Modern Digital Mentions

1. Toy Story (1995)
2. Happy Feet (2006)
3. Shrek (2001)
4. Finding Nemo (2003)
5. The Incredibles (2004)
6. Kung Fu Panda (2008)
7. Ice Age (2002)
8. A Bugs Life (1998)
9. Monsters Inc (2001)
10. Wall-E (2008)