Watch Disney Animation Collection: Vol. 4: The Tortoise and the Hare
- 2009
- 4 Seasons
Disney Animation Collection: Vol. 4: The Tortoise and the Hare is a collection of classic Disney animated shorts, all centered around the timeless tale of the race between the tortoise and the hare. Released in 2009, this volume contains seven classic cartoons from Disney's golden age of animation, all lovingly restored and presented in high definition.
The Tortoise and the Hare is one of Aesop's fables, and its moral about the value of determination and perseverance has been passed down for centuries. Disney's take on the story first debuted in 1935, in a Silly Symphony short directed by Wilfred Jackson. This version is a real treat, featuring a cast of wacky animal characters who enter the race in hopes of winning the grand prize. The hare is, of course, the fastest of them all, while the tortoise is slow but steady. In the end, it's the tortoise's determination that wins the day, and the hare learns a valuable lesson about the importance of not underestimating one's opponents.
Other shorts included in this collection include The Wise Little Hen (1934), The Goddess of Spring (1934), The Golden Touch (1935), The Robber Kitten (1935), Elmer Elephant (1936), and The Little Whirlwind (1941). Though not all of these shorts feature the race between the tortoise and the hare directly, they all share a similar whimsical, animal-centric style that will be familiar to anyone who grew up on classic Disney animation.
The Wise Little Hen tells the story of the titular character, who decides to plant some corn and enlists her friends, including Donald Duck and his friend Peter Pig, to help her. However, when it comes time to harvest the corn, she finds that her friends are too lazy to help out. In the end, she reaps the rewards of her hard work while her friends go hungry. This short is notable as being the first instance of Donald Duck on screen.
The Goddess of Spring, directed by the legendary animator and artist Bill Tytla, is a beautiful and surreal fantasy about the changing of the seasons. It follows the story of Persephone, who is kidnapped by Hades and taken to the underworld, causing the world to fall into a never-ending winter. Only when Persephone is allowed to return to the surface for part of the year does spring come again. The film features some striking imagery and a memorable score by composer Leigh Harline.
The Golden Touch is a retelling of the Greek myth of King Midas, who is granted the ability to turn anything he touches into gold. However, he soon discovers that this power brings more problems than it's worth. The film features some beautiful animation and a charming performance by Pinto Colvig as King Midas.
The Robber Kitten is a cute and funny little tale about a mischievous kitten who hatches a plan to rob a store. Unfortunately for him, things don't go quite as planned! Elmer Elephant follows the story of a young elephant who is mercilessly teased by his peers for his long, floppy ears. However, when a fire breaks out in his village, Elmer's unique feature turns out to be the key to saving the day.
Finally, The Little Whirlwind features Mickey Mouse in one of his classic roles as a troublemaker who, inadvertently, causes a mini tornado and helps to save his village by corralling it.
Overall, Disney Animation Collection: Vol. 4: The Tortoise and the Hare is a delightful collection of classic shorts that will appeal to viewers of all ages. Whether you're a fan of classic animation, a lover of fairy tales, or simply looking for some light-hearted entertainment, this volume is sure to satisfy. With its restored high-definition visuals and timeless stories, it's a must-have for any Disney fan.