Toon Talk: True-Life Adventures DVDs - Dec 5, 2006

Toon Talk: True-Life Adventures DVDs
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Volume IV - “Nature’s Mysteries�?

Although Secrets of Life (1956) includes footage of the first ever use of time-lapse photography and is ambitious in its goal (showing nature’s art of adaptation and preservation of life), it is wildly unfocused, jumping from blossoming flowers to bee hives to ant colonies to underwater life to, finally, a lava-spewing volcano, resulting in easily the least impressive of the TLA feature films.

On the other hand is Perri (1957), the first (and only) True-Life Fantasy. Based on the novel of the same name by Felix Salten of Bambi fame, Perri is different from all the other TLAs as it had a preconceived storyline. In actuality, it really wasn’t that much different then the rest, for it follows the (by then) tried and true formula of depicting a “year in the life�? of its subject, here a female pine squirrel. The difference this time out is that the animals are given actual names (heroine Perri and her brave beau Porro) and there’s some songs thrown in as well. The end result isn’t too far removed from Bambi (who makes a surprise “live action�? cameo), though it is still enjoyable on its own merits, even with the trippy, Burtonian “dream ballet�? (shades of Jean-Jacques Annaud’s The Bear).

Erroneously listed as a bonus feature on disc 2 is Nature’s Half Acre (1951), a true TLA (and Oscar-winner). The subject is simple: there is always something more then meets the eye in any corner of nature. So basically, Nature’s is a more compact version of Secrets of Life, with even more time-lapse flowers blooming …

“Searching for Nature’s Mysteries�? (World of Color, 1956) tells the making of Secrets of Life, while Disneyland’s “Adventures in Wildwood Heart�? (1957) offers an in depth look at Perri and its making, including how the photography crew helped put out a nearby forest fire that struck during filming. Roy’s back at DAK with some butterflies, and then we’re onto a “Tribute to Winston Hibler�?, the “voice of the TLAs�?. Of course, Hibler did a lot more then just read copy in the recording booth, including writing for many of the animated features, producing in the live action branch and even writing Walt’s speech for the opening day of Disneyland.

Roy reveals the tricked-out greenhouses used for Secrets of Life in the final “Filmmakers’ Journal�?, which mostly focuses on Perri, including a reunion of director Paul Kenworthy (who photographed the wasp and tarantula sequence for The Living Desert) and Roy, who was one of the film’s many photographers.

And finally, Perri is also the subject of the last “Collectors’ Corner�?, displaying such merchandise as stuffed animals, storybooks and even a “build your own squirrel�? model kit!

Toon Talk Rating: A

In this ‘Toon Talk’ feature, I will briefly highlight a recommended film or DVD, outside of the Disney universe, of similar interest to the main subject.

Creative Critter Cams

Two modern nature documentaries can be traced back to the “True-Life Adventures�? in spirit, but use high-tech technology to deliver unique and innovative experiences not possible back in Walt’s time:

  • Winged Migration (2002, Sony): The makers of this Oscar-nominated feature utilized specially-built airborne cameras to capture breathtaking images of birds in flight, accompanied by an enchanting score by Bruno Coulais. (DVD available from Sony Home Video).
  • Microcosmos (1996, Miramax): Life beneath our feet is the focus of this fascinating exploration of the insect world; using the most extreme close-ups you’ll ever see on film, lowly grasshoppers, beetles and ladybugs take on a mythical grandeur. (DVD available from Miramax Home Video).

Coming Soon:

  • Tod and Copper are reunited in the newest direct-to-video sequel The Fox and the Hound 2 (December 12).
  • The next wave of “Walt Disney Treasures�? is upon us with more classic cartoons (The Complete Pluto: Volume 2 and More Silly Symphonies) and television favorites (Your Host, Walt Disney and The Hardy Boys) (December 19).
  • Toon in for the annual year-end round up of the Toon Talk Top 10 - 2006.

TOON TALK AWARDS WATCH

Congratulations to Disney’s recent film nominees for the 11th Annual International Press Academy Satellite Awards:

Motion Picture, Animated or Mixed Media:
  • Cars

Visual Effects:
  • Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest

Motion Picture Made for Television:
  • High School Musical

DVD Extras:
  • The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Youth DVD:
  • Cars
  • Eight Below
  • The Greatest Game Ever Played
  • Lady and the Tramp Platinum Edition DVD
  • The Little Mermaid Platinum Edition DVD

The Awards will be presented December 17.

Discuss It

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-- Kirby C. Holt
-- Logos by William C. Searcy, Magic Bear Graphics, http://www.cafepress.com/MagicBear

Kirby is a lifelong Disney fan and film buff. He is also an avid list maker and chronic ellipsis user ...

Took Talk: Disney Film & Video Reviews by Kirby C. Holt is posted whenever there's something new to review.

The opinions expressed by our Kirby C. Holt, and all of our columnists, do not necessarily represent the feelings of LaughingPlace.com or any of its employees or advertisers. All speculation and rumors about the future plans of the Walt Disney Company are just that - speculation and rumors - and should be treated as such.

-- Posted December 5, 2006
 
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