Year Released:1962
Michael's Movie Grade: A-
History
Big Red marked the first theatrically released film and the first film for Disney to be directed by Norman Tokar. Tokar had previously been a director for TV shows including Leave it to Beaver and The Donna Reed Show. Films he would go on to direct for the Disney studio would include Savage Sam, A Tiger Walks, Those Callaways, The Ugly Dachshund, Follow Me Boys, The Happiest Millionaire, The Horse in the Grey Flannel Suit, Rascal, The Boatnics, Snowball Express, The Apple Dumpling Gang, No Deposit No Return, Candleshoe and The Cat From Outer Space. Big Red was also the first Disney film for writer Louis Pelletier. Pelletier would later write Those Calloways, Follow Me Boys, The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit, Smith and Run Cougar Run for the studio.
Big Red is not only the only Disney film to feature child actor Gilles Payant, but the only film he appeared in. This is also the only time Walter Pigeon appeared on screen in a Disney movie (though he would narrate Rascal). Most of the actors in this movie are Canadian actors who appeared in very few films. This was because much of the film was shot in La Malbaie, Quebec, Canada (the rest was shot in Big Bear Lake in California and the Disney Studio (on sets of course).
Big Red received decent reviews from critics (but not great ones), but didn't do well at the box office.
Review
Extremely atmospheric, warm and relaxing movie, and just an all around fantastic film.
This movie is great for quite a few reasons. One is definitely the pacing. This is a slower paced movie, but it is never too slow that it gets boring. Instead this slower pace just draws you into the movie even more. It creates a relaxing feeling that is hard to resist. Another reason is the characters. The main characters are given enough time to be fully fleshed out and are very likable snd warm on top of that. The supporting characters aren't that fleshed out but remain likable all the way through. The acting only makes this better. The story is really simple but there is a beauty in this simplicity. All this comes together to make a very charming film.
Definitely a film that deserves much more attention than it gets.
Note: Has anyone noticed Walter Pidgeon looks a lot like Walt Disney in this film.
Film Credits
Director: Norman Tokar
Writer: Louis Pelletier
Based on a book by Jim Kjelgaard
Cast: Walter Pigeon (James Haggin), Gilles Payant (Rene Dumont), Émile Genest (
Emile Fornet), Janette Bertrand (Therese Fornet), Georges Bouvier (Baggageman), Doris Lussier (Farmer Mariot), Rolland Bédard (Conductor), Teddy Burns Goulet (Engineer)
Producers: Walt Disney Winston Hibler, Erwin L. Verity
Music: Oliver Wallace, Evelyn Kennedy, Walter Sheets
Songwriters: Richard and Robert Sherman
Cinematographer: Edward Colman
Editor: Grant K. Smith
Art Directors: Carroll Clark, Marvin Aubrey Davis
Set Decorators: Hal Gausman, Emile Kuri
Costume Designer: Chuck Keehne
Makeup Artist: Pat MacNalley
Assistant Director: Arthur J. Vitarelli
Second Unit Director: Jack Couffer
Cameraman: Travers Hill
Sound Artists: Robert O. Cook, Dean Thomas
Dog Trainer: William K. Koehler
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Resources Used
The Disney Films by Leonard Maltin
-Michael J. Ruhland
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