 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Fox and the Hound
- Review Date: March 13, 2005
- G
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 1981
Common Sense Media says
Heartwarming tale of friendship, but expect some peril.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this animal tale develops into a thoughtful examination of friendship and includes some mature themes, especially loss. The movie opens with the (off-screen) shooting death of the fox's mother and he is later abandoned by his human caretaker in a forest to try to keep him safe. There's lots of hunting imagery -- snapping leg traps, pelts -- and a very trigger-happy character named Amos who, after awhile is so bent on catching the fox that he breaks into an animal preserve and tries traps and fire to catch him. The most intense scene involves a ferocious bear chase and a jump from a cliff. Families looking for something for younger viewers with the same cute characters and less violence should try The Fox and the Hound 2.
What's the story?
In Disney's 24th full-length animated movie, THE FOX AND THE HOUND, two best friends don't realize they are supposed to be enemies. A lonely widow (Jeanette Nolan) adopts an orphaned fox cub named Tod (voiced by Keith Coogan), who soon befriends Copper (Corey Feldman), a hound puppy who lives next door with Amos (Jack Albertson), a mean hunter. They become inseparable friends, but Amos keeps trying to catch Tod. Amos takes Copper and his other hunting dog, Chief (Pat Buttram), away for the winter, and Copper returns as a full-fledged hunting dog. Later, Amos' drive to kill Tod so worries the widow that she drives him to the animal preserve where she thinks he'll be safe. But Amos won't be thwarted that easily.
Is it any good?
While the movie isn't quite in the same category as some of the studio's vintage classics, it's an entertaining, touching, and vibrantly animated tale that the whole family is sure to enjoy. The animation features a blend of old-fashioned, hand-drawn imagery with dynamic, colorful action. The excellent voice cast includes Kurt Russell as the grown Copper, Mickey Rooney as the grown Tod, Paul Winchell (the longtime voice of Tigger in Winnie the Pooh), Corey Feldman as the young Copper, and Pearl Bailey as a motherly owl.
Although the plot deals with the serious subjects of maturity and loss of innocence, there's also plenty of humor. However, the climactic fight with the bear is pretty realistic, and may be a little too intense for younger kids. The bittersweet finale, where the fox and the hound smile at each other, then go their separate ways, knowing they can never really be friends anymore, is particularly poignant and will bring a tear to the eye of anyone who has grown up and lost a friend.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about Tod and Copper's friendship. Why was it hard for them to stay friends? How did their friendship when they were young help them when they grew up? Have you ever grown apart from a friend?
When the Widow Tweed drives Tod to the animal preserve she sings, "from our sadness, happiness grew," recalling when she found him orphaned. How does the same thing happen to Tod in the animal preserve?
A sequel was made 25 years later that shows Tod and Copper as kids again who never have to face tough choices as they grow up. Which story do you like better? Which one is more meaningful?
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AGE
Probably the most bitter-sweet and melancholy of the whole canon.
I love this movie, it's one of the ten best that the company has produced. It's sweet charming and proves that no matter what walk of life you come from; you can be friends. Sort of like a Lady and the Tramp of friendship. I love it, it has good messages of said friendship, standing up for what is right; but I say maybe for 4+: It opens up with a vixen dropping off her kitten (Tod) at a farm while being chased by hunters to save his life, the 'big brother' figure for Copper (the Hound) is hit by a train, Amos Slade and Copper go after Tod in a nature preserve to KILL him. Under the name of the mouse? Still, it's harmful to tots throughout the third act but uplifting and bitter-sweet at the end to anyone above the age of 5.
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AGE
Good
Even if this might seem a dumb kids movie, I, 11 years old have enjoyed it. It can get emotional, but it is a good movie about making choices, with a kid appropriate amount of animal violence to spice it up. 5 of 5, any age.
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AGE
Ausome film, with a great imagination. However blood is shown, with gun violence, and attack. Very sad scene in the middle
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AGE
Too scary for younger viewers - lots of guns and animal fights
A cute movie with some really loveable characters. However, it's pretty scary from a toddler's perspective. The fox is constantly being shot at the, the fox's mother is killed during the opening credits, there is a fire started to smoke out the foxes, use of metal animal traps, and many animal pelts showcased as the hunter's bounty. Not to mention a terrifying fight with a massive, red eyed bear at the end. As far as young ones go, this may be one of the more upsetting Disney movies. Some high points were the personalities showcased - the old lady who adopts the fox is wonderful, as is Mama owl and the two silly birds that spend the movie trying to get a little worm (who eventually turns into a beautiful butterfly).
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AGE
probally not like Bambi, but still a very good movie
I like this movie. It has friendship. It may not be a classic, but it's a classic to me. It has good messages. I like it. i recommeded it
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Kid, 9 years old
July 17, 2010
AGE
scary for people under seven
It was not what I thought it would be.
The mother of Tod was killed at the beginning and I felt sad because she gave her life for Tod.
It was part funny because the woodpecker and his friend were just trying to get only one caterpiller for the whole movie.
But for the most part it was violent and scary and sad.
And not my favorite disney movie.
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AGE
Scary for younger kids
While this movie does have some redeeming messages about friendship, it was very scary for my 3 & 5 year olds. It had too many scenes with chasing and guns. While I knew going into it that it had a hunter in it, I didn't realize just how often he would be chasing the fox and shooting after him.
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| Topics: | friendship, wild animals |
| Studio: | Walt Disney Pictures |
| Directors: | Art Stevens, Richard Rich |
| Cast: | Corey Feldman, Kurt Russell, Mickey Rooney |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 83 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | January 1, 1981 |
| DVD release date: | May 2, 2000 |
| MPAA rating: | G |
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