Loveday Writing

Now that I’ve watched and written analysis pieces on the eight animated feature films of the Bronze Age: The Aristocats, Robin Hood, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, The Rescuers, The Fox and the Hound, The Black Cauldron, The Great Mouse Detective, and Oliver & Company, I’m going to rank them from my least favourite to my favourite.

8 – The Black Cauldron

It’s probably a surprise to no-one that this film came in last place for me, due to its dark nature and the overall story not being compelling enough for me to stay fully focused on it throughout its run. It honestly felt like a bit of a chore to watch.

It also ranks in last place for me due to the clear omission of several scenes and minutes, which is in part why it was a critical and commercial failure.

7 – The Fox and the Hound

I didn’t enjoy this film either, but it ranks higher as it was more light-hearted. I didn’t enjoy the film as the tone of it was uneven, and it felt like it was trying to tell two stories at once and couldn’t keep up, it was all over the place.

6 – The Aristocats

The first film of the Era, I can’t say that I loved it but I didn’t hate it either. The obviously recycled animation, soundtrack, and plot elements made the film predictable, and the slapstick elements were a little off-putting, however there were plenty of comedic moments I enjoyed, which is why it ranks higher than the previous two films for me.

5 – Robin Hood

Whilst this film wasn’t necessarily the most engaging for me, it ranks higher than The Aristocats for me as the animation and art were of better quality, the adaptation of its source material was charming, and its comedy and musical elements seem to have more purpose, in comparison.

4 – The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

An outlier in this Era due to its anthological nature reminiscent of the Wartime Era films, this film comes in fourth place for me due to its storybook motif, its varying art and animation, and its wholesome nature.

3 – Oliver & Company

The last film of the Era, Oliver & Company comes in third for me due to its more contemporary setting, art and animation style. The film was the perfect one to end the Era, not only due to its more contemporary nature, but as it fully embraced computer-generated animation to replace xerography, which could easily be seen both on and off the screen. However, I did feel it was too dark and edgy for children, and the musical numbers slowed down the pace of the film too much.

2 – The Great Mouse Detective

It was honestly hard to choose whether this film should come in first or second place, however I ultimately went with second place as whilst I enjoyed the film and its homage to Sherlock Holmes, I felt it was too dark and edgy for children, and the tone and plot became a little uneven towards the end.

1 – The Rescuers

Whilst this film did have its flaws, such as its uneven tone, it ultimately comes in first place for me due to its unique trait in having human-mouse counterparts, then-groundbreaking historical elements that now provide a unique look into the history of the world in the late 1960s, and its refreshing feminist approach and undertones with its dominant female characters.

What do you think of my rankings and how would you rank the eight films of the Bronze Age? Feel free to let me know by leaving a comment below.