Fox And The Hound, The

Fox And The Hound, The is rated G:

Once upon a time, in a quiet forest, there lived a mother fox and her baby. Then the sound of a shotgun shatters the peace of their woodland home and leaves the cub an orphan. Taking the frightened little one under her wing, a kindly owl known as Big Mamma (voice of Pearl Bailey) arranges to have Tod (Keith Mitchell) introduced to Widow Tweed (Jeanette Nolan). Within moments, the needy stranger is adopted by the lonesome old woman and the two become good company for one another.

Meanwhile, at the farm next door, Amos Slade (voice of Jack Albertson) brings home a new hound. Although the pup isn't much to look at yet, the sportsman is sure he can raise Copper (Corey Feldman) into a fine hunter with the help of his aging, experienced dog Chief (Pat Buttram).

Living in the same neighborhood, it is no surprise when the fox and the hound find each other. What is unexpected is the friendship that develops between the youngsters, who are too naive to realize they ought to be avowed enemies.

Although the chums have fun together all summer, the arrangement ruffles the feathers of the ever-watchful Big Momma who predicts trouble in the future. The wisdom of her warning becomes apparent the next spring when Copper (now voiced by Kurt Russell) returns from a long winter away in the mountain where he has apprenticed in the hunting trade. Taught to follow the commands of his master, the hound now sees Tod (voiced by Mickey Rooney) as his prey instead of as his pal. And this new perspective is about to forever change their relationship and their world -- especially for the maturing fox.

For family viewers, this 1981 Walt Disney production offers a simple storyline. Still, it may not be appropriate for very young viewers. The loss of a mother figure, the sense of betrayal when a friend turns foe, a trigger-happy hunter with a vengeful streak, and some angry encounters with ferocious forest dwellers, will all be good reasons for little tikes to be frightened.

Yet what does make this movie worthwhile for older children (and perhaps even adults) is the idea that opinions can be shaped by one's environment or by the views of others. The two title characters enjoy a happy association, ignorant of the traditional pecking order, until they are taught otherwise. Relating this story to our own preconceived notions or prejudice, this old dog just might teach us all a few new things about the way we look at the world.

Studio: 1981 Walt Disney Home Entertainment.

This Disney film features a host of voice talents familiar from other movies made by this studio. Just for fun, see if you can figure out where you have heard that voice before.

Chief the Dog (Pat Buttram) plays the voices of the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood, and the Possum Park Emcee in A Goofy Movie.

The voice Boomer (aka Paul Winchell) may be best known as Tigger, who bounces his way through The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.

The porcupine (John Fielder) will also be well known to Winnie the Pooh fans, as he plays Piglet (check him out in Piglet’s Big Movie). As well, Fielder can be heard in The Emperor’s New Groove (as the Old Man who gets tossed off the balcony), and seen as police officer Howie Clemmings in The Shaggy D.A.

Kurt Russell, who lends his vocal cords to the adult Tod, is better known for his live action work. He can be seen in the role of a father in Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story and Sky High, or (in his younger years) as a teenaged whiz kid in The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes.

Walt Disney’s Bambi tells another tale of a woodland orphan, and offers a similar anti-hunter theme. The movie Shiloh recounts the friendship between a hunting dog and young boy.

DVD Release Date: 10 October 2006

Celebrating twenty-five years since The Fox and The Hound first frolicked together on the big screen, Disney is releasing this anniversary DVD with a litter of extras. Your little pups are sure to enjoy reading the DVD storybook New Best Friends, playing hide-and-seek with the Forest Friendship Game, and the singing along to the song The Best of Friends. Also included are two bonus shorts, Lambert the Sheepish Lion and Lend a Paw. For fans interested in the animation’s history, Backstage Disney offers a making-of featurette and a look at the film’s art gallery. Audio tracks are available in English (Dolby Digital 5.1), French and Spanish.