Thumbelina

[AurumPunzel]

So Thumbelina finally landed onto Disney+ yesterday, and after watching it, I was reminded once again about why it was never the success it ought to be, given the lack of promotion the film had on release day and how close it was to the time Don Bluth's studio collapsed and was effectively folded into Fox Animation Studios (now part of Disney), along with the distribution rights that is now obviously in Disney's hands.

As much as the film lacked in parts, which is understandably why Thumbelina suffered from the declining financial situation at Don Bluth's studio, it was completely made up for in music, despite one musical number being nominated for a Razzie for Worst Original Song. And especially since it has Jodi Benson (voice of Ariel) voicing the title character, I loved her beautiful singing in the film, as well as the emotion she gave Thumbelina.

Who else here has watched Thumbelina on Disney+, or remembers the film when it first came out?

 

[SheSingsAlong]

I know it's not the best animated musical, and not even the best Don Bluth produced (his and Disney renaissance movies were HUGE during my childhood) - but I have a soft spot in my heart for Thumbelina. Might watch again with my baby girl (4y/o)

 

[DodgerGirl]

I first saw Thumbelina when I was in school when my class went on a field trip to the movies and Thumbelina was the movie we were chosen to see and my teacher and I sat together and watched it and I fell in love with the story and it was simply amazing to see. I must admit when the prince nearly died my teacher was crying her eyes out but you got to admit that everything turned out alright in the end when Thumbelina gets married. I was surprised to know that Barry Manilow composed the songs in Thumbelina and wrote them too and the songs were also amazing especially Let Me Be Your Wings which is so romantic. I think Thumbelina is amazing and should've been promoted a lot more and it would've been even more successful

 

[Foxhound3857]

I really hope Don Bluth makes an effort to revive his style of animation before the world loses him. Some of my fondest childhood memories are from watching All Dogs Go to Heaven, The Land Before Time, An American Tail and The Secret of NIMH. And even his later works like Titan A.E were pretty good.

 

[AurumPunzel]

I really hope Don Bluth makes an effort to revive his style of animation before the world loses him. Some of my fondest childhood memories are from watching All Dogs Go to Heaven, The Land Before Time, An American Tail and The Secret of NIMH. And even his later works like Titan A.E were pretty good.

With the technology we have now, it shouldn't be too hard to emulate the style, even if the quirks of traditional production values would be lost.

 

[Foxhound3857]

With the technology we have now, it shouldn't be too hard to emulate the style, even if the quirks of traditional production values would be lost.

I'm surprised we haven't seen a remake/reboot of All Dogs Go to Heaven yet. That was a huge fan favorite among the Don Bluth library. I know Secret of NIMH is getting a live-action remake, so that's something to look forward to.

But honestly, All Dogs, TLBT, and An American Tail would all be great remake candidates for the modern day.

 

[DodgerGirl]

Another thing to mention is Barry Manilow sings the song Let Me Be Your Wings as a duet with Deborah Byrd who would later become a vocal coach on American Idol and Barry's version is fantastic

 

[La Stilla]

I loved this movie when I was young, and the bell-like voice of Jodi helped a lot. The animation was also pretty good, and I loved the story.
As a matter of fact, I am currently downloading it from YTS to watch it after I don't even know how much time. Excited!

 

[Foxhound3857]

There was another Thumbelina movie that came out not too long after the Don Bluth version of it, I want to say it was The Adventures of Tom Thumb and Thumbelina, but I only remember it vaguely. I believe it came out in 2002, and it wasn't nearly as good by comparison, especially for a "Disney" film (distributed by Buena Vista).

Does anybody remember it?

 

[BrianL]

There was another Thumbelina movie that came out not too long after the Don Bluth version of it, I want to say it was The Adventures of Tom Thumb and Thumbelina, but I only remember it vaguely. I believe it came out in 2002, and it wasn't nearly as good by comparison, especially for a "Disney" film (distributed by Buena Vista).

Does anybody remember it?

I don't remember it, but apparently it was done by Miramax. Weird.

 

[Moliphino]

We still quote this sometimes in my house. Usually in winter I can't help but think of "Once There Was the Sun".

 

[Foxhound3857]

I don't remember it, but apparently it was done by Miramax. Weird.

It looks like there have been about five different animated films based on Thumbelina over the last 50 or so years.

Thumbelina (1964, a Russian film)
Thumbelina (1978, a Japanese Anime film)
Thumbelina (1994, Don Bluth)
Adventures of Tom Thumb and Thumbelina (2002, Miramax and distributed by Buena Vista)
Barbie Thumbelina (2009)

I wouldn't be surprised if Disney does their own rendition on this tale in the near future, possibly even in the same theme as Rapunzel/Tangled.