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{{For|the 1967 novel by Daniel Mannix|The Fox and the Hound (novel)}} {{For|the 1967 novel by Daniel Mannix|The Fox and the Hound (novel)}}
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{{Infobox film {{Infobox film
| name = The Fox and the Hound
| image = foxhoundposter.jpg | image = foxhoundposter.jpg
| caption = Theatial poster | name = The Fox and the Hound
| director = ]<br/>] | director = Ted Berman<br>]
| producer = ]<br/>]<br/>] | producer = ]<br>]<br>]
| writer = ]<br/>] | writer = Ted Berman<br>Larry Clemmons
| starring = ]<br/>]<br/>]<br/>]<br/>]<br/>]<br/>]<br/>]<br/>]<br/>]<br/>] | starring = ]<br>]
| music = ]<br/>]<br/>]<br/>] (songs)<br/>] (score)
| studio = ]
| distributor = ] | distributor = ]
| released = July 10, 1981 | released = July 10, 1981
| runtime = 83 minutes | runtime = 83 minutes
| country = United States | country = ]
| language = English | language = English
| budget = $12 million <ref name=book>''The Official Disney Trivia Book'': Paperjacks, date 1988, pages 63-64 , ISBN 07701-1002-9 info on cost and book source story info'</ref>{{Verify credibility|date=July 2009}} | budget = $12 million<ref name=book>''The Official Disney Trivia Book'': Paperjacks, date 1988, pages 63-64 , ISBN 07701-1002-9 info on cost and book source story info'</ref>
| gross = $39,900,000 <ref name=BO>{{cite web | title=The Fox and the Hound (1981) | publisher=] |url=http://boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=1981&p=.htm | accessdate=2008-09-20}}</ref> | gross = $39,900,000<ref name=BO>{{cite web | title=The Fox and the Hound (1981) | publisher=] |url=http://boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=1981&p=.htm | accessdate=2008-09-20}}</ref>
| music = ]
| followed_by = '']'' (2006)
| followed_by = '']'' (2006)
}} }}


'''''The Fox and the Hound''''' is a {{fy|1981}} ] produced by ] which premiered in the United States on July 10, 1981. The 24th ], the film centers on the story of two unlikely friends, a hound dog and a fox, who struggle to preserve their friendship despite their emerging instincts and the surrounding social pressures demanding them to be adversaries. '''''The Fox and the Hound''''' is a 1981 ] produced by ] which premiered in the United States on July 10, 1981. The twenty-fourth ] in the ] series, the film is loosely based on the ] novel ] and centers on the story of two unlikely friends, a ] and a ], who struggle to preserve their friendship despite their emerging instincts. At the time of release, it was the most expensive animated film produced, costing $12 million.<ref name="book" /> It was the last "Walt Disney Animated Classics" movie to have no end credits, and the last Disney film in which ] was involved in its production. A ] film, '']'', was released to DVD on December 12, 2006.


==Plot==
The story was loosely based on Daniel P Mannix's ]. The book had a more realistic story, it dealt with the quest of a hunter and his dog Copper to shoot Tod after he killed the hunter's new dog Chief. The novel was mainly about Tod's life in the woods. While he was raised by humans he was not childhood friends with Copper and none of the animals spoke. The story was changed to make it more suitable for a family film; instead of a story about the life and death of a fox, it became a parable about how society determines our roles despite our better impulses.<ref name="rogerebert.suntimes.com">''Roger Ebert's review of the film''</ref>
After a young ] is orphaned, Big Mama (]) the ], Boomer (]) the ], and Dinky (]) the ] arrange for him to be adopted by the Widow Tweed (]). Tweed names him Tod (voiced by ]), since he reminds her of a toddler. Meanwhile, Tweed's neighbor, Amos Slade (]), brings home a young hound puppy named Copper (]) and introduces him to his hunting dog Chief (]). Tod and Copper become playmates, and vow to remain "friends forever." Slade grows frustrated at Copper for constantly wandering off to play, and places him on a leash. While playing with Copper at his home, Tod awakens Chief. Slade and Chief chase him until they are stopped by Tweed. After an argument, Slade says that he intends to kill Tod at his first opportunity. Hunting season comes and Slade takes his dogs into the wilderness for the interim. Meanwhile, Big Mama explains to Tod that his friendship with Copper cannot continue, as they are natural enemies, but Tod refuses to believe her.


Months pass, and Tod and Copper reach adulthood. On the night of Copper's return, Tod (]) sneaks over to meet him. Copper (]) explains that he is a hunting dog now and things are different between them. Chief awakens and alerts Slade, a chase ensues and Copper catches Tod. Copper lets Tod go then diverts Chief and Slade. Chief maintains his pursuit onto a railroad track where he is struck by a train and wounded. Copper and Slade blame Tod for the accident and swear vengeance. Tweed realizes that her pet is no longer safe with her and leaves him at a game preserve. Big Mama introduces him to a female fox named Vixey (]), then Slade and Copper trespass into the preserve and hunt the two foxes. The chase climaxes when Slade and Copper inadvertently provoke an attack from a ]. Slade trips and is caught in his own trap and drops his gun just out of reach. Copper fights the bear but is no match for it. Tod battles the bear until they both fall down a ]. Copper approaches Tod as he lies in the lake below when Slade appears, ready to fire at the fox. Copper interposes his body in front of Tod, and refuses to move away. Slade lowers his gun and leaves with Copper, but not before the two former adversaries share one last smile before parting. At home, Tweed nurses Slade back to health while the dogs rest. Copper, before resting, smiles as he remembers the day when he became friends with Tod. On a hill Vixey joins Tod as he looks down on the homes of Copper and Tweed.
At the time of release it was the most expensive animated film produced to date, costing $12 million.<ref name="book" /> {{Verify credibility|date=July 2009}} ''The Fox and the Hound'' was the last film which was worked on with animation legends like ], and ], two members of Walt Disney's original "]" whom also worked on this film, with it being the last film for both, as well as the first film for future Disney leaders like ] (]), ] (], and ], who animated the bear in this movie, and later worked on other animated films like '']'' (1989) and '']'' (1991), in which he designed the beast.


==Production==
The film stars the voices of ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. A ] ], '']'', was released on December 12, 2006.
The story was loosely based on ]'s ]. The book had a more realistic story; it dealt with the quest of a hunter and his dog Copper to shoot Tod after he killed the hunter's new dog Chief. The novel was mainly about Tod's life in the woods. While he was raised by humans he was not childhood friends with Copper and none of the animals spoke. The story was changed to make it more suitable for a family film; instead of a story about the life and death of a fox, it became a parable about how society determines our roles despite our better impulses.<ref name="rogerebert.suntimes.com">''Roger Ebert's review of the film''</ref>


Production of the film began in 1977.<ref name=disneysite>{{cite web | work=Disney Archives | title=''The Fox and the Hound'' Movie History|url=http://disney.go.com/vault/archives/movies/foxhound/foxhound.html| accessdate=April 23, 2009}}</ref> The film marked a turning point in the studio: Walt Disney's "nine old men" did initial development of the animation, but by the end of production the younger set of Disney animators completed the production process.<ref name=finch /><ref>''Variety information on Disney Animation school and new animators starting with this film''</ref><ref> Reference from Animation World Magazine, reference for this section</ref> ] was producer, and championed staying true to the novel, and ] was head of the story team. ] and ] did much of the early development of the main characters. The newer generation of animators, such as ], ], ], and ], would finalize the animation and complete the film's production. These animators had moved through the in-house animation training program, and would all play an important role in the ] of the eighties and nineties.<ref name=finch>Finch, Christopher: "Chapter 9: The End of an Era", pages 260-266. ''The Art of Walt Disney'', 2004</ref>
== Plot ==
The film begins with silence in a forest, with wind blowing. We see a ], and when the web clears, a mother fox, with fear in her eyes, a child in her mouth, runs all throughout the forest. After passing over a mountain, she finally reaches a ], where she hides her baby in a forest glade, quietly says goodbye, and runs away. She is shot, and we hear gunshots twice. An owl named Big Mama (]), along with her two bird friends, a ] named Dinky (]) and a ] named Boomer (]), arrange for him to be adopted by the kindly local farmer widow named Widow Tweed (]). She names him Tod (voiced by ]), since he reminds her of a toddler. Meanwhile, Tweed's neighbor, Amos Slade (]), brings home a young hound puppy named Copper (]) and introduces him to his hunting dog Chief (]). Big Mama is delighted to see Tod and Copper become playmates, singing the song "Best of Friends". Tod and Copper play together every day for the next tree days, vowing to remain "friends forever." Slade grows frustrated at Copper for constantly wandering off to play, and places him on a leash. While playing with Copper at his home, Tod awakens Chief. Slade and Chief chase him until they are stopped by Tweed.


Early in production, ] left Disney, taking 11 Disney animators with him<ref>{{cite web | work=Cataroo| title=''Don Bluth Ireland''|url=http://www.cataroo.com/DBireland.html| accessdate=April 23, 2009}}</ref> to start his own rival studio, ].<ref>{{cite web | work=Don Bluth Official Website | title=''Biography''|url=http://www.donbluth.com/hstry/dnsbio.html| accessdate=April 23, 2009}}</ref> Bluth had animated Widow Tweed and her cow, Abigail, and his team worked on the rest of the sequence. With 17% of the animators now gone, production on ''The Fox and the Hound'' was delayed.<ref name=disneysite />
After an argument, Slade says that he intends to kill Tod at his first opportunity. Hunting season comes and Slade takes his dogs into the wilderness for the interim. Meanwhile, Big Mama explains to Tod that his friendship with Copper cannot continue with the song "Lack of Education", as they are natural enemies, but Tod refuses to believe her. Months pass, and Tod and Copper reach adulthood. On the night of Copper's return, Tod (]) sneaks over to meet Copper (]). Copper explains that he is a hunting dog now and things are now going to be different between them. Chief awakens and alerts Amos Slade, a chase ensues, and Copper catches Tod. Copper lets Tod go then diverts Chief and Slade. Chief maintains his pursuit onto a railroad track where he is struck by a train and wounded. Copper and Slade blame Tod for the accident and swear vengeance. Tweed realizes that her pet is no longer safe with her, and takes him on a drive though the woods, singing the song "Goodbye May Seem Forever", and leaves him at a game preserve. Tod's first night alone in the woods is a disaster, accidentally trespassing into a badger's den, so a friendly ] offers to let him stay with him. That same night, Amos Slade and Copper plan revenge on Tod. The next morning, Big Mama comes looking for Tod, and finds Vixey (]), a female ] of Tod's age, who is clearly good friends with Big Mama.


Four years later the film was finished. Approximately 360,000 drawings, 110,000 painted cels, 1,100 painted backgrounds made up the finished product. A total of 180 people, including 24 animators, worked on the film.<ref name=disneysite /> The co-directors for the film were Ted Berman, ], and ].
Tod wakes up after being pricked by the porcupine's quills, falls, and lands right on the badger's den. The badger scolds Tod once again; Tod tries to apologize, but the badger thinks Tod is making up excuses. The porcupine tries to defend Tod, (with the badger saying to "get out of here you walking pin-cushion". The porcupine points out that the badger shouldn't be grumpy to a new comer, to which the badger responds telling Tod to "go back where you came from". Tod walks over to reset, depressed more than ever. Vixey remarks that he looks downhearted, and Big Mama tells her that "he was dropped out here all alone without a friend in the world". Vixey decides to try to cheer him up, and Big Mama thinks the idea is perfect. Big Mama sets Vixey into the sun light, just so that she will look as beatiful as possible, and introduces Tod to her. Tod first tries to impress Vixey by catching a fish, only to fail, causing Vixey and the other animals of the game preserve to laugh at him. Angry and hurt, Tod tells Vixey that she's "a silly, empty-headed...female!" Angered, they refuse to speak to each other, but Big Mama intervenes with the song "Appreciate the Lady" and directs Tod in being himself, and Vixey to give him another chance. They get along very well once Tod admits his lack of survival skills. Vixey is now aware of his inability to survive in the wild and helps him adapt. This also seems to bring Vixey and Tod closer in a romantic light.


==Distribution==
The vengeful Slade and Copper trespass into the preserve and hunt the two foxes. He sets up the ] that he had demonstrated to Copper earlier and hides them with ]. Tod's foot uncovers one, and as Amos gets ready to shoot, a built comes unloose, causing Tod to steep backward. Tod narawly escapes the traps, running as fast as he can whilst Amos's gunshots ring out, and Copper and Slade chase Tod and Vixey. Tod tells Vixey to head for the burrow under which they slept the previous night, and climbs a rock, ready to attack Copper. As Copper approaches, Tod jumps from the ledge, growling and snarling with rage at his ex-friend. Copper tries to bite Tod, but Tod bites Copper first. Copper chases Tod into the burrow, and Tod and Vixey attempt to exit out the other end. They then flee once again at the sight of Amos and his gun. Amos takes a match and some straw and burns it, flaming the end of the burrow with his hat, and approaches the other side with Copper, ready to shoot the two foxes. Tod tells Vixey that this is their only chance, and he and Vixey flee the back end without getting flamed, putting Amos into pure shock. Tod and Vixey run over the mountain as Copper and Slade chase them all the way to the top.
''The Fox and the Hound'' premiered in theaters on July 10, 1981. It was re-released to theaters on March 25, 1988. Its first home video release, to ] format, came on March 4, 1994. On May 2, 2000, it was released to ] DVD for the first time. S 25th anniversary special edition DVD, featuring a remastered version of the film and a disc of extras, was released on October 10, 2006. The film is now in the "Disney Vault".


==Reception==
As Copper and Slade close in upon the two foxes, an inadvertent attack from a bear provokes. Slade trips and gets caught in his own trap dropping his gun just out of reach. Copper fights the bear but is no match for it. Slade frantically tries to free himself whist Copper battles the bear, until the bear knocks Copper out. Tod, hearing Copper's yelping echo, looks back and sees the horror of his very childhood friend being nearly killed. As the bear closes in on Tod, Tod leaps out of nowhere and attacks the bear, saving Copper. Tod battles the bear until they both fall down a waterfall. Copper approaches Tod as he lies in the lake below when Slade appears, ready to fire at the fox. Copper interposes his body in front of Tod, and refuses to move away. Slade finally lowers his gun and leaves with Copper, but not before the two former adversaries share one last smile before parting. At home, Tweed nurses Slade back to health while the dogs rest. Copper, before resting, smiles as he remembers the day when he became friends with Tod. On a hill Vixey joins Tod as he looks down on the homes of Copper and Tweed.
The film was considered a financial success,<ref name=BO />. It was awarded a Golden Screen Award at the Goldene Leinwand Awards in 1982 and it was nominated for a ] and the ] for Best Fantasy Film. The film was generally well-received by film critics.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} It has a "fresh" 70% rating on the aggregate site ] based on 20 reviews.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} Craig Butler from ''All Movie Guide'' stated that the film was a "warm and amusing, if slightly dull, entry in the Disney animated canon." He also called it "conventional and generally predictable" with problems in pacing.<ref>{{cite web | work=Answers.com | title=''The Fox and the Hound'' Movie Review|url=http://www.answers.com/topic/the-fox-and-the-hound-film| accessdate=April 23, 2009}}</ref>{{Verify credibility|date=July 2009}} In his book ''The Disney Films'', ] noted that the film generated a "good news/bad news" reaction. The good was that Disney's young animation team seemed to be in "firm control." The fight scene between Copper and the bear, by ], in particular received great praise in the animation world. The bad news, according to Maltin, was that the film relied too much on "formula cuteness, formula comedy relief, and even formula characterizations," causing a step back for the studio. Maltin suggests that perhaps this safeness came from the fear of displeasing the memory of Walt Disney.<ref>{{cite book |last=Maltin |first=Leonard |authorlink=Leonard Maltin |chapter=Chapter 3: Without Walt |page=275 |title=The Disney Films |year=2000 |ibsn= }}</ref>


However, ] of '']'', praised the film for an intelligent story about ]. He argued that the film shows that biased attitudes can poison even the deepest relationships, and the film's bittersweet ending delivers a powerful and important ] message to audiences.<ref>''Time magazine review.''</ref> ] of the ''Chicago Times'' also praised the film, saying that "for all of its familiar qualities, this movie marks something of a departure for the Disney studio, and its movement is in an interesting direction. ''The Fox and the Hound'' is one of those relatively rare Disney animated features that contains a useful lesson for its younger audiences. It's not just cute animals and frightening adventures and a happy ending; it's also a rather thoughtful meditation on how society determines our behavior."<ref name="rogerebert.suntimes.com"/>
== Cast ==
* ] as '''Tod''' (young by ]), a young fox whose mother was killed by a hunter. Luckily for him, a loving widow who lived nearby took him in and raised him to adulthood. Young and naive, he becomes friends with a hound puppy named Copper, but their friendship is interrupted by the fact that Copper's owner, Amos Slade, hates any fox that isn't dead. When they grow older, they find their friendship divided.
* ] as '''Copper''' (young by ]), the cute young hound puppy (whom looks a beagle or a basset hound) belonging to Amos Slade. Copper is Tod's best pal- at least when they're little. He befriends Tod during his childhood. However, he is the first to break this friendship and becomes Tod's bitter enemy but is also the first to protect him. He is a fast learner through growing up. In his first year of hunting he tops Chief.
* ] as '''Big Mama''', a kindly old ] (similar to Friend Owl from ]) who (literally) takes Tod under her wing on several occasions. It is she who recruits the help of Dinky and Boomer in getting Widow Tweed to take care of Tod, and later she warns him of the dangers of hanging around with a hound dog. Her last really important job in the film is establishing the romance between Tod and Vixey.
* ] as '''Amos Slade''', a mean-spirited old ] who will kill just about anything that is ], but for some unknown reason he has a special hatred for foxes (it may have something to do with the fact that he keeps ]s). He is the owner of Copper and Chief, and throughout most of the film tries to kill Tod. Unlike most of Disney's villains, however, he doesn't come across as being evil. Instead, he hunts for a living and is very professional at it and is motivated by revenge, rather than the "just because" brand of evil that you see in too many villains.
* ] as '''Vixey''', a ] with whom Tod falls in love with after being released into the wild. She is much more used to the forest, so it makes sense that she is a step ahead of Tod. When she says, "I think six would be just right," it seems clear that she is talking about the number of kits she would like to have, but Tod is completely in the dark.
* ] as '''Widow Tweed''', a kindly old lady who took Tod in and raised him as a pet.
* ] as '''Chief''', a nasty, aging senior first hunting dog of Amos Slade. He shares his master's philosophy that the only good fox is a dead fox. He tries to teach Copper everything there is about hunting but is ultimately beaten by the younger dog. In the novel, Chief is the old dog and Copper is the new one. This is an exampe of the differences between the two.
* ] as '''The Badger''', a badger in the same reserve. He is first seen when Tod comes into his home, as Tod was new to the reserve and didn't know anyone lived there. The morning after this, Tod falls from the porcupine's tree directly onto the entrance to the badger's home, making the badger angry. After the porcupine tells the badger of Tod and what he's been through, the badger simply tells Tod to go back to where he came from, not knowing that Tod couldn't.
* ] as '''The Porcupine''', a porcupine in the reserve that Tod is dropped off in, he tries to explain to the badger exactly what happened to Tod, but it doesn't really work for Tod. He gives Tod shelter the first night in the reserve.
* ] and ] as '''Dinky and Boomer''' respectfully, two friends, a ] and a ], who are seen either helping Big Mama act out a plan or trying to catch Squeaks, a ]. Dinky and Boomer are seen at many times trying (unsuccessfully) to catch him. At the end of the film, Squeaks becomes a butterfly and flies away.


== Production == ==Midquel==
{{Main|The Fox and the Hound 2}}
Production of the film began in 1977.<ref name=disneysite>{{cite web | work=Disney Archives | title=''The Fox and the Hound'' Movie History|url=http://disney.go.com/vault/archives/movies/foxhound/foxhound.html| accessdate=23 April|accessyear=2009}}</ref> The film represented a changing of the guard of the animators from Walt Disney's "]" to the more recently trained Disney animators who had moved through the in-house animation training program begun in 1976.<ref>''Variety information on Disney Animation school and new animators starting with this film''</ref><ref> Reference from Animation World Magazine, reference for this section</ref>
A ] ], ''The Fox and the Hound 2'', was released on December 12, 2006. The film takes place during Tod and Copper's youth, and therefore does not follow the events that occur at the end of this film.


==References==
The film marked the last work of the remaining original animators. ] worked as an animator on the film, but left Disney early in the production, taking 11 Disney animators<ref>{{cite web | work=Cataroo| title=''Don Bluth Ireland''|url=http://www.cataroo.com/DBireland.html| accessdate=23 April|accessyear=2009}}</ref> (which comprised 17% of the production staff) with him to start his own rival studio, ].<ref>{{cite web | work=Don Bluth Official Website | title=''Biography''|url=http://www.donbluth.com/hstry/dnsbio.html| accessdate=23 April|accessyear=2009}}</ref> This studio, which eventually became Sullivan Bluth Studios, was Disney's main rival through the 1980s and produced '']'' and a number of other well-known films. As a result of Bluth's defection, production on ''The Fox and the Hound'' was delayed by nearly six months. Bluth animated Widow Tweed and her cow, Abigail, and his team worked on the rest of the sequence.
{{reflist}}


==External links==
Four years later the film was finished, requiring approximately 360,000 drawings, 110,000 painted cels, 1,100 painted backgrounds, and a total of 180 people, including 24 animators.<ref name="disneysite" />
{{wikiquote|The Fox and the Hound}}

* {{bcdb title|id=42|title=The Fox and the Hound}}
The directors on the film were ] and ], as well as ], whom was a co-director.
*{{imdb title|id=0082406|title=The Fox and the Hound}}

* {{rotten-tomatoes|id=fox_and_the_hound|title=The Fox and the Hound}}
Berman previously had credits as a character animator for the 1961 film '']'' and writer for the 1977 film '']''. He would later be co-director for the 1985 film '']''.

Rich had been a Disney employee since 1972 but this was his first major assignment. He would also serve as a co-director for ''The Black Cauldron''. He would later found ].

Stevens was previously credited as a character animator for the 1953 '']'', the previously mentioned ''One Hundred and One Dalmatians'' and the ] '']''. He had also previously directed the 1977 film '']''.

] started out working at Disney on this movie and others such as '']'' before leaving to join ] in ].<ref>Variety | Variety article about John Lasseter'</ref> With Disney's purchasing of Pixar, Lasseter has gone full circle and has returned to the company he started his career with.

Other new animators who worked on this film and some of their future successes:
*] and ] (story artist and animator): Producer-director team of '']'', '']'', '']'', and '']''.

*] (assistant & development artist): Producer of '']'' and Director of '']'', '']'', '']'', and many other acclaimed movies.

*] (animator): Animation creator and designer of characters ], ], ] and ].

*] (animator): Director of '']''.

*] (animator): director of ]' '']'', '']'', '']'' and previously of '']''.

*] (animator): Director of Disney's '']''.

*] (animator): Director of '']'', '']'', '']'', and '']''

*] (animators): Producer of '']'' and '']''.

== Release ==
''The Fox and the Hound'' premiered in theaters on July 10, 1981. It was re-released to theaters on March 25, 1988. Its first home video release, to ] format, came on March 4, 1994 as the last video of the "]" collection (it was not included in the "Masterpiece Collection"). On May 2, 2000, it was released to ] DVD for the first time under the "]". A 25th anniversary special edition DVD, featuring a remastered version of the film and a disc of extras, was released on October 10, 2006. The film is now in the "Disney Vault".

== Reception ==

Although the film was a financial success,<ref name="BO" /> reactions from ]s were mixed. Critics of the 1980s, while offering praise for the animation, were disappointed in the story, and that the predominantly young creative staff, many of whom had only recently joined the company, had produced a movie that seemed very conservative in both concept and execution. Since then it has become a hit for its conservative syle. <ref>http://thestuffyougottawatch.com/foxhound.html</ref>

] in his book ''The Disney Films'' noted that the film was a "good news/bad news" for Disney. The good was that Disney's young animation team seemed to be in "firm control." The fight scene between Copper and the bear, by ], in particular received great praise in the animation world. The bad news, according to Maltin, was that the movie relied too much on "formula cuteness, formula comedy relief, and even formula characterizations," causing a step back for the studio. Maltin suggests that perhaps this safeness came from the fear of displeasing the memory of Walt Disney.<ref></ref>

However, the film had its fair share of praise, too. ] of '']'', praised the film for an intelligent story about ]. He argued that the film shows that biased attitudes can poison even the deepest relationships, and the film's bittersweet ending delivers a powerful and important ] message to audiences.<ref>''Time magazine review.''</ref> ] of the ''Chicago Times'' also praised the film, saying that "for all of its familiar qualities, this movie marks something of a departure for the Disney studio, and its movement is in an interesting direction. ''The Fox and the Hound'' is one of those relatively rare Disney animated features that contains a useful lesson for its younger audiences. It's not just cute animals and frightening adventures and a happy ending; it's also a rather thoughtful meditation on how society determines our behavior."<ref name="rogerebert.suntimes.com"/> The film gained a considerable following and it was awarded a Golden Screen Award at the Goldene Leinwand Awards in 1982. It was also nominated for a ] and the ] for Best Fantasy Film. It has a "fresh" 71% rating on ], based on 21 reviews with a 6.7 score,and an even better score of 87% among users of RottenTomatoes with a 7.1 score. <ref></ref>

JB of "Thestuffyougottawatch" said the film has aged like "fine wine", and went on to say, "Like all great Disney films, THE FOX AND THE HOUND is populated with wonderfully characterized secondary players who get their share of the spotlight, such as the two birds Dinky and Boomer, voiced by Richard Bakalyan and Paul Winchell, who spend most of the film trying to catch and eat one measly little caterpillar who eludes death time and again. There is also Big Mama the Owl, played deliciously by Pear Bailey, who gets to sing a handful of pleasant if forgettable tunes.

The one real weakness of THE FOX AND THE HOUND comes once again from the Disney people pulling their punches when it comes to tragedy. One character was supposed to be killed while chasing Tod, thus leading to Copper swearing eventual vengeance. Yet, as in THE JUNGLE BOOK and LADY AND THE TRAMP, the character turns out only to have been injured, thus undermining the emotional impact of Copper's hatred for his former friend. With all that the film does offer, it is easy to overlook this lack of courage on the part of the filmmakers, but it does get a little tiresome to see the same cheap trick used over and over."<ref>http://thestuffyougottawatch.com/foxhound.html</ref>

== Legacy ==
Although most famous as a film, The Fox and the Hound is also ] by ]. Similarily to the Disney film, it follows the lives of two characters who are pittied against each other, a fox named Tod and hound named Copper, and is Mannix's best-known work.

It follows Tod from his first contact with humans as a kit and Copper from his first encounter with Tod. They are living in a changing world; the wilderness present at the beginning of the book gradually gives way to a more urbanized setting, causing problems for Copper, his Master, and Tod.

It alternates between Tod and Copper's ]. Of the ten chapters in the book, four are from Copper's point of view and six are from Tod's. Both of the animals are presented as smart if not on a level with humans, and the book constantly emphasizes the point that both are creatures who rely on their sense of smell as much as humans rely on sight, particularly Copper.

Copper's chapters focus on his relationship with his Master as he assists him in ], primarily for Tod; Tod's actions kill the Master's favorite dog early in the novel. Tod's chapters focus on his life as a wild fox, avoiding death both natural and man-made while attempting to father pups. The novel ends with the death of both main characters. Tod's lifeless pelt is hung and Copper is shot by his owner.

A ] ], '']'', was released on December 12, 2006. The film takes place during Tod and Copper's youth, in which Copper is tempted to join a band of singing stray dogs, and therefore does not follow the events that occur at the end of this film.

As well as adaptations of the film itself, comic strips featuring the characters also appeared in stories unconnected to the film. Examples included ''The Lost Fawn'', in which Copper uses his sense of smell to help Tod find a fawn who has gone astray;<ref></ref> ''The Chase'', in which Copper has to safeguard a ] Chief;<ref></ref> and ''Feathered Friends'', in which the birds Dinky and Boomer have to go to desparate lengths to save one of Widow Tweed's chickens from a ].<ref></ref>

== Soundtrack ==
*'''"Best of Friends"''', Music by Richard Johnston, Lyrics by Stan Fidel, Performed by ]. A song is about the beauty and magic of friendship, and how Tod and Copper were great friends even though they are supposed to be enemies. It is also about how sometimes adults can get in the way and not let you play and can't understand friendship's magic.
*'''"Lack of Education"''' Music and Lyrics by ], Performed by ]. A song about how if Tod plays with Copper he will be hunted by Amos Slade because Copper has to hunt like he was told. The education is knowing the fact that Copper will become a hunting dog, the elimimation is the hunting of Tod that will happen when he doesn't listen to Big Mama and plays with Copper anyway.
*'''"A Huntin' Man"''' Music and Lyrics by Jim Stafford, Performed by ]. A short song, basicly saying that Amos Slade is hunting man with no job, who would rather have a dog then a dollar.
*'''"Goodbye May Seem Forever"''' Music by ], Lyrics by Jeffrey Patch, Performed by ]. A song similar to Baby Mine from ], Someone's Waiting For You from ], and ] from ]. What it's about is how Tod and Widow Tweed first meet after his mother was killed by hunters. They were happy together, and when the storm came they would rest by the fire. But now Amos Slade is going to kill Tod so she has to give him up, so Goodbye May Seem Forever, Farwell is like the end, but you'd still be in my heart forever.
*'''"Appreciate the Lady"''' Music and Lyrics by Jim Stafford, Performed by Pearl Bailey. A song about how Tod wanted to impress Vixey, but he did it wrong because he can't really fish. To be sucessful, you need to stop showing off saying you can do something that you really can't, and appreciate the lady by being yourself and you'll be appreciated right back.

== References ==
<references/>

== Exteral links ==
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*{{bcdb title|42}}
*{{imdb title|0082406}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|fox_and_the_hound}}


{{Disney theatrical animated features}} {{Disney theatrical animated features}}


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Revision as of 03:34, 4 August 2009

For the 1967 novel by Daniel Mannix, see The Fox and the Hound (novel).
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1981 American film
The Fox and the Hound
File:Foxhoundposter.jpg
Directed byTed Berman
Richard Rich
Written byTed Berman
Larry Clemmons
Produced byRon Miller
Art Stevens
Wolfgang Reitherman
StarringMickey Rooney
Kurt Russell
Music byBuddy Baker
Distributed byBuena Vista Distribution
Release dateJuly 10, 1981
Running time83 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$12 million
Box office$39,900,000

The Fox and the Hound is a 1981 animated feature produced by Walt Disney Productions which premiered in the United States on July 10, 1981. The twenty-fourth animated feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series, the film is loosely based on the Daniel P. Mannix novel of the same name and centers on the story of two unlikely friends, a hound dog and a red fox, who struggle to preserve their friendship despite their emerging instincts. At the time of release, it was the most expensive animated film produced, costing $12 million. It was the last "Walt Disney Animated Classics" movie to have no end credits, and the last Disney film in which Don Bluth was involved in its production. A midquel film, The Fox and the Hound 2, was released to DVD on December 12, 2006.

Plot

After a young red fox is orphaned, Big Mama (Pearl Bailey) the owl, Boomer (Paul Winchell) the woodpecker, and Dinky (Richard Bakalyan) the finch arrange for him to be adopted by the Widow Tweed (Jeanette Nolan). Tweed names him Tod (voiced by Keith Coogan), since he reminds her of a toddler. Meanwhile, Tweed's neighbor, Amos Slade (Jack Albertson), brings home a young hound puppy named Copper (Corey Feldman) and introduces him to his hunting dog Chief (Pat Buttram). Tod and Copper become playmates, and vow to remain "friends forever." Slade grows frustrated at Copper for constantly wandering off to play, and places him on a leash. While playing with Copper at his home, Tod awakens Chief. Slade and Chief chase him until they are stopped by Tweed. After an argument, Slade says that he intends to kill Tod at his first opportunity. Hunting season comes and Slade takes his dogs into the wilderness for the interim. Meanwhile, Big Mama explains to Tod that his friendship with Copper cannot continue, as they are natural enemies, but Tod refuses to believe her.

Months pass, and Tod and Copper reach adulthood. On the night of Copper's return, Tod (Mickey Rooney) sneaks over to meet him. Copper (Kurt Russell) explains that he is a hunting dog now and things are different between them. Chief awakens and alerts Slade, a chase ensues and Copper catches Tod. Copper lets Tod go then diverts Chief and Slade. Chief maintains his pursuit onto a railroad track where he is struck by a train and wounded. Copper and Slade blame Tod for the accident and swear vengeance. Tweed realizes that her pet is no longer safe with her and leaves him at a game preserve. Big Mama introduces him to a female fox named Vixey (Sandy Duncan), then Slade and Copper trespass into the preserve and hunt the two foxes. The chase climaxes when Slade and Copper inadvertently provoke an attack from a bear. Slade trips and is caught in his own trap and drops his gun just out of reach. Copper fights the bear but is no match for it. Tod battles the bear until they both fall down a waterfall. Copper approaches Tod as he lies in the lake below when Slade appears, ready to fire at the fox. Copper interposes his body in front of Tod, and refuses to move away. Slade lowers his gun and leaves with Copper, but not before the two former adversaries share one last smile before parting. At home, Tweed nurses Slade back to health while the dogs rest. Copper, before resting, smiles as he remembers the day when he became friends with Tod. On a hill Vixey joins Tod as he looks down on the homes of Copper and Tweed.

Production

The story was loosely based on Daniel Mannix's 1967 novel of the same name. The book had a more realistic story; it dealt with the quest of a hunter and his dog Copper to shoot Tod after he killed the hunter's new dog Chief. The novel was mainly about Tod's life in the woods. While he was raised by humans he was not childhood friends with Copper and none of the animals spoke. The story was changed to make it more suitable for a family film; instead of a story about the life and death of a fox, it became a parable about how society determines our roles despite our better impulses.

Production of the film began in 1977. The film marked a turning point in the studio: Walt Disney's "nine old men" did initial development of the animation, but by the end of production the younger set of Disney animators completed the production process. Woolie Reitherman was producer, and championed staying true to the novel, and Larry Clemmons was head of the story team. Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston did much of the early development of the main characters. The newer generation of animators, such as Don Bluth, Ron Clements, Glen Keane, and John Musker, would finalize the animation and complete the film's production. These animators had moved through the in-house animation training program, and would all play an important role in the Disney Renaissance of the eighties and nineties.

Early in production, Don Bluth left Disney, taking 11 Disney animators with him to start his own rival studio, Don Bluth Productions. Bluth had animated Widow Tweed and her cow, Abigail, and his team worked on the rest of the sequence. With 17% of the animators now gone, production on The Fox and the Hound was delayed.

Four years later the film was finished. Approximately 360,000 drawings, 110,000 painted cels, 1,100 painted backgrounds made up the finished product. A total of 180 people, including 24 animators, worked on the film. The co-directors for the film were Ted Berman, Richard Rich, and Art Stevens.

Distribution

The Fox and the Hound premiered in theaters on July 10, 1981. It was re-released to theaters on March 25, 1988. Its first home video release, to VHS format, came on March 4, 1994. On May 2, 2000, it was released to Region 1 DVD for the first time. S 25th anniversary special edition DVD, featuring a remastered version of the film and a disc of extras, was released on October 10, 2006. The film is now in the "Disney Vault".

Reception

The film was considered a financial success,. It was awarded a Golden Screen Award at the Goldene Leinwand Awards in 1982 and it was nominated for a Young Artist Award and the Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Film. The film was generally well-received by film critics. It has a "fresh" 70% rating on the aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes based on 20 reviews. Craig Butler from All Movie Guide stated that the film was a "warm and amusing, if slightly dull, entry in the Disney animated canon." He also called it "conventional and generally predictable" with problems in pacing. In his book The Disney Films, Leonard Maltin noted that the film generated a "good news/bad news" reaction. The good was that Disney's young animation team seemed to be in "firm control." The fight scene between Copper and the bear, by Glen Keane, in particular received great praise in the animation world. The bad news, according to Maltin, was that the film relied too much on "formula cuteness, formula comedy relief, and even formula characterizations," causing a step back for the studio. Maltin suggests that perhaps this safeness came from the fear of displeasing the memory of Walt Disney.

However, Richard Corliss of Time Magazine, praised the film for an intelligent story about prejudice. He argued that the film shows that biased attitudes can poison even the deepest relationships, and the film's bittersweet ending delivers a powerful and important moral message to audiences. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Times also praised the film, saying that "for all of its familiar qualities, this movie marks something of a departure for the Disney studio, and its movement is in an interesting direction. The Fox and the Hound is one of those relatively rare Disney animated features that contains a useful lesson for its younger audiences. It's not just cute animals and frightening adventures and a happy ending; it's also a rather thoughtful meditation on how society determines our behavior."

Midquel

Main article: The Fox and the Hound 2

A direct-to-video midquel, The Fox and the Hound 2, was released on December 12, 2006. The film takes place during Tod and Copper's youth, and therefore does not follow the events that occur at the end of this film.

References

  1. ^ The Official Disney Trivia Book: Paperjacks, date 1988, pages 63-64 , ISBN 07701-1002-9 info on cost and book source story info'
  2. ^ "The Fox and the Hound (1981)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2008-09-20.
  3. ^ Roger Ebert's review of the film
  4. ^ "The Fox and the Hound Movie History". Disney Archives. Retrieved April 23, 2009.
  5. ^ Finch, Christopher: "Chapter 9: The End of an Era", pages 260-266. The Art of Walt Disney, 2004
  6. Variety information on Disney Animation school and new animators starting with this film
  7. Reference from Animation World Magazine, reference for this section
  8. "Don Bluth Ireland". Cataroo. Retrieved April 23, 2009.
  9. "Biography". Don Bluth Official Website. Retrieved April 23, 2009.
  10. "The Fox and the Hound Movie Review". Answers.com. Retrieved April 23, 2009.
  11. Maltin, Leonard (2000). "Chapter 3: Without Walt". The Disney Films. p. 275. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |ibsn= (help)
  12. Time magazine review.

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