One Hundred and One Dalmatians
1961 · Directed by Wolfgang Reitherman, Clyde Geronimi, Hamilton Luske
Original language: English
- adventure
- animation
- comedy
- family
The story
When a litter of dalmatian puppies are abducted by the minions of Cruella De Vil, the parents must find them before she uses them for a diabolical fashion statement.
What it’s like
Hand-drawn Disney animation with loose, sketchy linework, flat watercolour-style backgrounds in muted greens, greys and rainy London browns, and bright spot colour on the dalmatians' black-and-white coats and Cruella's cherry-red car and fur. The camera moves like a storyboard: static tableaux of foggy streets, cosy Victorian interiors with crackling fires, and a gently swooping rooftop chase across the city. Music does much of the work, with bouncy jazz and rhythmic pop numbers, and the Dalmatian Plantation sequences bring in ticking-clock suspense. The vibe is warm, witty and mildly anxious: cosy domestic comfort with a sharp-edged villain, the kind of film that suits a rainy Sunday or a family rewatch. Pacing is brisk and episodic, with running gags among the animals and a steady build toward the rescue. Emotionally it is a story about a loving couple and a houseful of pets, with a lonely, desperate villain who is more absurd than frightening. Intensity is low: some peril and a few tense moments with the villains, a slapstick fall or two, and no gore or real violence. Suited to young children, families, and anyone wanting something light, funny and gentle.
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