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An American Tail

A little boy mouse, Fievel, journeys from Russia to America with his family to seek a new life free from cat persecution.Don Bluth’s An American Tail is based on the story of a young Russian mouse who is separated from his family in America and who later heads with his reunited kin out to the American West. It’s pleasant, though not spectacular, and has its greatest problems in story development. Steven Spielberg produced with an eye toward creating animation hits outside of Disney, and he and Bluth certainly took a big step in that direction here. Kids like it a lot, and adults will warm to the sound of various familiar voices, such as Dom DeLuise as Tiger and Madeline Kahn as Gussie Mausheimer. It’s also the source of the pop single “Somewhere Out There.” –Tom Keogh

Rating: (out of 53 reviews)

List Price: $ 14.98

Price: $ 8.42

Spencer’s Mountain

Family drama set in a rural mountain community, with the Spencers and their nine children.Long before Henry Fonda played an irascible patriarch in On Golden Pond, he played an equally crusty family man in this warmly rustic, 1963 drama Spencer’s Mountain, based on an Earl Hamner Jr. novel that later inspired the television series The Waltons. Fonda plays Clay Spencer, a fiercely independent, hard-drinking, foul-mouthed Wyoming laborer who believes in God but rejects (to his tiny community’s consternation) organized religion. Scraping together enough money to build a new house for his wife (Maureen O’Hara) and nine children, Spencer runs into an obstacle to both his plans and family pride when his college-bound son (James MacArthur) romances the daughter of Spencer’s boss. Director Delmer Daves whips up a kind of morose schmaltz out of the earnest material, but it’s Fonda’s grit and heartland integrity that carry the day and establish some self-effacing wit. Some nice features here, in

Rating: (out of 59 reviews)

List Price: $ 5.98

Price: $ 3.34

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10 Comments

Dwight A. Collier

October 16, 2010 at 6:25 am

Review by Dwight A. Collier for Spencer’s Mountain
Rating:
This wonderful family movie, filmed amid spectacular scenery, was based on a story which was the progenitor of Walton’s Mountain. Warm, sometimes embarassingly sweet, it chronicles the lives of a family living among the Grand Tetons. Their challenges, their joys and their sorrows are all touched upon as Clay Boy, the oldest son in a large fanily, struggles to make a place for himself in the world. With stars like Henry Fonda and Maureen O’Hara at their family best, backed up with many other memorable character actors and actresses of a wide range of ages, they all add to the joy of this final product. A rare movie the entire family can enjoy. My favorite part: when Henry Fonda starts a fire in the old wood stove and Maureen O’Hara later takes out a huge pan of steaming biscuits as the entire clan prepares for a breakfast fit for a king (or queen).

I rate this charmer with 5 stars.

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Anonymous

October 16, 2010 at 5:58 am

Review by for Spencer’s Mountain
Rating:
This is such a beautifully made film. It made me laugh (really hard), then had me on the verge of tears. This is a true look at rual America in the 40’s (or was it the 30’s). And for a movie made 40 years ago, it has some pretty smart dialogue. Spencer’s son has this “loose” girlfreind who’s always getting the poor guy in trouble. “Wannna get the dictionary and look up all the dirty words?” she asks the son while she tries (unsuccessfully) to seduce him in the town library. Don’t get me wrong there is nothing vulgar about this film. It really is a family classic. Hnery Fonda is in peak form here. A REAL look at family life.

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sherebiah

October 16, 2010 at 5:37 am

Review by sherebiah for Spencer’s Mountain
Rating:
“Spencer’s Mountain” , written by Earl Hamner, Jr. of “The Walton’s” wrote this script in the 1950s and it shows. Like many of the Delmer Daves movies of this era, this film combines a Max Steiner score, great cinematography and a heart-tugging story from a more innocent America. This is a great movie to get lost in, enjoy, and have a good cry. I sit back and re-live this film at least once a year.

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Rick D. Barszcz

October 16, 2010 at 5:28 am

Review by Rick D. Barszcz for Spencer’s Mountain
Rating:
This is still one of my old time favorites. Great acting, breaktaking landscapes, wonderful music score and a moral message that we in this new century will never see the likes of again. This is pure entertainment from beginning to end. The struggles of growing up, first love kiss, a father’s love for his wife and kids (rare these days)and the togetherness of the American family that no longer exist. If you need an education or weather you just want to watch a great older film this is the one for you and it is suitable for all ages which even the “G” rated films of today are questionable. You won’t go wrong. You’ll laugh and you’ll cry and say I remember it well.

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John A Lee III

October 16, 2010 at 4:38 am

Review by John A Lee III for Spencer’s Mountain
Rating:
Anyone familiar with the long running TV series, THE WALTONS, will immediately see some similarities in this film. It was written by the same author but predates the Waltons in terms of its production. Still, there are many similarities as well as a few differences.

The Waltons takes place during the era of the great depression. Spencer’s Mountain has the 1950’s written all over it although it never gives a particular time. The Waltons takes place near Walton Mountain in the Southeast while this film takes place near Spencer’s Mountain in the Grand Tetons. The TV series had John-Boy as the eldest son of the family and the movie has Clay-Boy in the same role. Both of these young men seek knowledge and thirst for education. The patriarch of both families is relatively poor and struggles to provide for the family but is a faithful husband and father with those duties as the top priority. Both are wholesome and a bit of Americana. Somebody who liked the Waltons should like Spencer’s Mountain as well.

Henry Fonda plays the lead and does so in a likeable manner. He will sacrifice anything, including his dreams, for the sake of his family. Maureen O’Hara plays the mother. She is a good, church going woman and the anchor of the family. James MacArthur plays the eldest son. He is dutiful but yearns to get away and better himself. He wants to do something besides work in the quarry all his life.

As I said before, it is all very wholesome fare. I don’t think it’s as good as the Waltons but it is still very good.

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Jake

October 16, 2010 at 4:19 am

Review by Jake for An American Tail
Rating:
For those who think An American Tail is just a kids movie, they are most definately wrong. I was proven wrong when we watched it in my Sophomore History class, and it caught my full attention in the first five minutes.
Don Bluth creates an animation masterpiece that rivals some of Disney’s best films, and James Horner provides us with a heartwarming score.
The story revolves around little Fievel Mousekewitz, a Russian immigrant who comes to America near the turn of the century (1885). He gets sent overboard the steamboat during a storm, and he sets off alone in New York, determined to find the family he lost.
With unforgettable characters, catchy songs; including the award-winning ‘Somewhere Out There’, An American Tail will capture your mind and heart and will be enjoyed for years to come.

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Chalice

October 16, 2010 at 3:49 am

Review by Chalice for An American Tail
Rating:
This is a wonderful movie. I’m a huge Don Bluth fan. This is a story reliving the history of our country through a young Russian mouse. It’s a beautiful story with fabulous music and beloved characters. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll awe in wonder as the mice rally together to defeat the cats. (May not be an ideal movie for a cat-lover.) Definitely worth watching.

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Melissa

October 16, 2010 at 3:03 am

Review by Melissa for An American Tail
Rating:
From director Don Bluth (The Secret of NIMH) this beautiful animated film comes a “tail” like no other. This story is about a little mouse named Fievel taking a “once in a lifetime” journey to America from Russia to escape the cats. They think by going to America there are no cats and can have a better life for their families. Upon their travels poor little Fievel becomes seperated from his family while arriving in New York.

During his adventures he meets up with wonderful characters such as: Tiger (Dom DeLuise), Tony Toponi, Bridget, Honest John, Gussie Mausheimer (Madeline Kahn), Digit, Henri (Christopher Plummer) & more!

This film also had some wonderful feature and ground breaking award winning songs such as:

There Are No Cats in America

Never Say Never

Somewhere Out There

Somewhere Out There – James Ingram & Linda Ronstadt

Duo

Before Disney’s beautiful Pixar films came to the big screen, there was the breathtakingly beautiful and realistic animation by Don Bluth and Steven Spielberg productions. It may be a little out dated for most, but it’s truly a classic animated film with wonderful song’s & colorful characters told in an original story.

The DVD: Is very sweet as well it has sing-a-long song’s, cute triva games for the kids, and more!

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Anonymous

October 16, 2010 at 2:54 am

Review by for An American Tail
Rating:
Since I have already written a review back in spring of 2001 that touches on the brilliance of this animated treasure, this review will focus primarily on the newly released DVD of the film. I for one, was certainly thrilled to learn that Universal was finally giving Fievel the coveted DVD treatment, and anticipated its release on the format each day since. Yes, features are scarce, and yes, the film is presented in full frame only, but the way I see it, having An American Tail on DVD at all is a milestone for me, since it is a title I have yearned for since the early days of the format. Do not get me wrong, I am a VERY strong supporter of original aspect ratio on home video, but An American Tail is not exactly a film that cries out for the anamorphic widescreen treatment. In this case, its omission does not really detract from the experience. But then again, maybe I am being slightly biased about this film, having seen it once as child, loved it, and becoming hooked on it ever since. As far as the picture quality is concerned, aside from the image being full frame, I was actually rather impressed. I was not expecting the image to be quite so crisp and clear. There were a few more speckles of film dirt then I thought should have been there, but for a film nearing twenty years old, it was still a good deal better than I was expecting. Clarity was most definitely improved over the VHS versions, and colors were strong and nice-looking.The sound is also pretty great. I listened to the DTS 5.1 soundtrack on my surround system, and it is, without a doubt, the best I have ever heard this film. However, those of you who have seen American Tail numerous times over (as I have) are bound to notice changes in some of the dialogue as compared to past video releases. In teh opening titles, for example, as we approach the Mousewitz home, laughter is now heard inside the humans’ cottage where, on the VHS release, all that can be heard is James Horner’s soundtrack. Also, new or never-before-heard of dialogue have been spliced into the film throughtout. Th emost noteable instances of this are during the scenes when Fievel is trapped in a birdcage, crying, just before he meets Tiger. Also, when the cats are being anchored up onto the ship headed for Hong Kong, Warren T. now utters an additional line from offscreen, which I will leave you to discover. Anyone who has seen the film a good many times is bound to notice these changes.While this altered/re-dubbed dialogue does not neccesarily hurt the film, it is still fair to question why these changes were needed. Perhaps Universal felt the need to offer something new to DVD buyers who would be purchasing this film again? There is no sense in correcting something that was never broken to begin with. Be that as it may, the changes do not take away from one’s enjoyment of the film, or certainly not mine, at least. Bottom line, American Tail lovers who are not particularly picky about aspect ratio should find this DVD well worth acquring . Like I said, I am big on widescreen myself, but in this case, found the movie too irresistable to turn down, especially at its low list price. Full frame and re-recorded dialogue aside, An American Tail is still the classic that it was nearly 20 years ago. So buy it before you are stuck trying to find an out-of-print copy “somwhere out there.”

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Anonymous

October 16, 2010 at 2:42 am

Review by for An American Tail
Rating:
“Somewhere out there, beneath the pale moonlight,” there must be a better non-Disney-animated film. NAAAAAAAAH! An American Tail is animator and director Don Bluth’s best work to date. The story of a young Russian mouse being swept out to sea while on a voyage with his family to America still holds up very well, even (GASP!) 15 years after the film’s theatrical debut. (Wow, I’m getting old!) Fortunately the young mouse, whose name is Fievel, washes up alive and well on New York Harbor. From there, he sets off on a journey to find his family. But it may be more difficult than he anticipated once he comes across the “two-faced” villain Warren T. Rat (voiced to perfection by John Finnegan) and the city’s many other dangers that could threaten his quest.As stated before, An American Tail is very nicely animated, and the incredible soundtrack, composed by James Horner, gives the movie a timeless quality that is one of the reasons why it stands the test of time. Each character is also perfectly voiced. Just to name a few of these talents, Philip Glasser is the voice of Fievel, Dom DeLuise is Tiger the cat, Amy Green is Fievel’s sister, Tanya, and as mentioned before, John Finnegan is Warren T. Rat. The songs are also brilliantly performed, the best of which is the classic “Somewhere Out There,” beautifully sung during the film by Fievel and Tanya, and again during the end credits by Linda Ronstadt.All in all, An American Tail is an enduring and heartwarming film that will be embraced by everyone who’s young at heart. And so it is to these people that I highly recommend this film. And if you enjoy it, I also recommend viewing the sequel, An American Tail: Fievel Goes West. It’s every bit as good.

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