This is part of my series “Thoughts on Disney movies,” where I’ve gone back to watch all of the animated Disney features, starting with Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs, and then share my thoughts on the blog.
Highlights: This movie is obviously inspired by Sherlock Holmes and there are a lot of cute references to it throughout the film – some subtle, some obvious. I enjoyed it a lot, more than I remembered from my childhood. And the ending scene, the big fight taking place inside of Big Ben, is very well done. The animation is great and it’s very exciting to watch.
Low points: Not necessarily a bad thing, but some of the plot elements are a bit outrageous or unbelievable. The craziest part was when they actually escaped from the mouse trap that they were in… but in many ways that’s what Sherlock Holmes was all about. Figuring out things down to a T at just the right moment.
Music: I felt like this movie had such great potential to really be a wonderful Disney musical! It had a great, show stopping song that was perfect for the villain… and that was mostly it. There’s one other song performed in a sort of “club” by a female mouse singer/dancer that was a fun jazzy number, sung well. If it had more songs in it I think this movie would really be a top contender for me.
Villain: Ratigan is absolutely awful, and certainly ranks high on the list of villains for me. He has absolutely no problem killing off his henchmen for insignificant reasons. He tries to take over the country and kill the queen. And he’s absolutely insane, as evidenced by the way he goes from “animal that acts like a human” to “just plain animal” by the end.
Fun fact: The movie is based on a book called Basil of Baker Street, which is in turn based on the Sherlock Holmes book series by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Where in the World: Again, this film’s been neglected in the world. There’s no connections that I can think of – let me know if you know of any!
My rating: 8.5 out of 10. A solid addition to the Disney animated film canon.
Wow, I haven’t thought of this movie in years! Blast from the past!
I know, right? I totally forgot most of the details of this movie!
There’s also that “Goodbye So Soon” song that Ratigan has playing for Basil and Dawson when they’re trapped in the mousetrap. I feel that’s quite an underrated song.
Do you feel the burlesque female mouse was too slutty/risque for a Disney film or do you feel it fit in the film?
Oh yes – that is a good song too, though because it’s not really the characters singing I don’t think of it in the same sense as a song in a musical.
Honestly, it didn’t occur to me that it would be too risque for a Disney film. But I could see how some parents might have an issue with it – it was mild enough for me that if I had kids, I would be okay with it. Though does it fit in the film – that’s a good question. I’m not sure it was necessary. I’m sure they could have come up with something else.
I think I’ve seen this movie, but I’m not entirely sure. That’s not a good sign in my mind if I can’t even remember the film!
Haha very true! For me I think it often blends with some of the other films of the time, especially the Rescuers since that one is also about mice.
I grew up watching this movie! My grandparents loved it so I would always watch it at their house. Thanks for the lovely bit of nostalgia!
Aww that’s so sweet! I have memories like that which I associate with my grandparents too 🙂
I love this movie. I’m also watching all of the Disney movies in order and I hadn’t seen this in so long I was happy to watch it again.
Yes – it’s the kind of movie that I would never think to just sit down and watch but because I’m doing this it gives me an “excuse” to watch something like this again!
I vaguely remember this one. I guess it wasn’t one of the Disney movies that you watched over and over again as a kid.