101 Dalmatians/101 Dalmatians 2 - Patch's London Adventure [1961]

Amazon.co.uk Review

Back in 1961, Walt Disney got a little hip with 101 Dalmatians, making use of that flat Saturday morning cartoon style that had become so popular. The result is a kitschy change in animation and story. Pongo and Perdita are two lonely Dalmatians who meet in a London park and arrange for their pet humans to marry so they can live together and raise a family. They become proud parents of 15 pups, who are stolen by the dastardly Cruella De Vil, who wants to make a fur coat out of them. Cruella has become the most popular villain in all of Disney--she is flamboyantly nasty and lots of fun. But it is the Dalmatians who shine in this endearing classic, particularly those precocious pups. Telling the story from the dogs' point of view is a clever conceit, a fundamental flaw of Disney's 1996 live-action remake. --Bill Desowitz

Amazon.co.uk Review

Disney may throw around the word 'classic' with a little too much abandon when it comes to some of its animated releases, but its take on 101 Dalmatians is very much the real deal. With lively songs, a terrifically-realised story and one of its very best villains, it remains a towering achievement, over four decades since it first appeared.

The story of 101 Dalmatians starts with the two heroes of the tale, Pongo and Perdita. But when their litter of dalamatian puppies is dognapped by the evil Cruella De Vil's cronies, the pair must spring into action to save their offspring before Cruella gets herself the new coat that she desires.

But while Pongo and Perdita may be the pair you end up rooting for, the undoubted star of 101 Dalmatians is Cruella De Vil. A wonderfully twisted, genuinely nasty villainess, she's an astounding creation and adds a real menace to the film. That said, it's not a downbeat or scary tale: toe-tapping musical numbers, plenty of imagination and a good few chuckles make up the rest of the ingredients, and rarely have they all come together quite so well as they do here.

Retold by Disney in live action form in 1996, it's nonetheless its animated take on 101 Dalmatians that remains the definitive filmed version. And now packed into a special collectors' DVD set, there's never been a better reason to treat your family to a copy. Unmissable, and a reminder of why Disney's reputation in this field is quite so towering. --Simon Brew

Customer Reviews:

Disney at its real best.......2008-03-04

Disney continues to release classics in special edition DVD version. 101 Dalmatians is another fine piece of Disney animation which fans have widely anticipated for and fans will not be disappointed. The animation reviewed typically represents the values and qualities associated with the film-maker. The feature length animation includes simple storyline, colourful and adorable characters, endless humour, music and beautiful setting depicted of 1960's London.

The Platinum edition not only includes the feature length, but offers extras in a 2nd disc. The 2nd disc is an exclusive coverage of the artwork and production which Disney thrive fans with in this spectacular animation. Just to observe the secrets unfolded of the Disney magic is an additional treat for fans.

Traditionally, Disney promotes family values with its productions. 101 Dalmatians demonstrates the pure genius and magical qualities that propels this animation to a front- runner of classics. Great entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.

The special features make it even more entertaining........2008-03-04

Note: This review is of the most recently issued (2008) version.

I find it difficult to believe that it has been 47 years since this film first appeared. (I also find it difficult to believe that I now have ten grandchildren with whom to watch it.) Credit the Disney organization with providing with this latest restored version a generous selection of bonus features that substantially increase the pleasure of seeing this classic film once again. They include a DVD-ROM of a "Virtual Dalmatians Game," "Op-Up Trivia Facts," and "The Making of One Hundred and One Dalmations," and correspondence between "Sincerely yours, Walt Disney" and Dodie Smith, author of the novel on which the film is based.

The basic plot involves two lonely dalmatians (Pongo and Perdita) who meet in a London park and whose owners then meet and marry. Over time, the dalmatians become parents of 15 puppies who are stolen by Cruella De Vil who is determined to make a fur coat out of their skins. That doesn't happen, of course, but younger children get all caught up in efforts to rescue the puppies (at least when viewing the film for the first time) just as they do when hoping that Pinocchio will be reunited with Gepetto, that Snow White will awaken from her deep sleep, and that Belle and the Beast will live happily ever after. In the best of Disney's animated features, there always seems to be a subtext of menace and this film is no exception. When observing Cruella De Vil's behavior, many of those in my generation will be reminded of Gloria Swanson's portrayal of Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard. In terms of quality of its story, art, and music, 101 Dalmatians deserves to be ranked among Disney's finest animated films. The special features offer an exceptional "bonus."

My only concern, frankly, is that once again, many adults who are charmed by the Dalmatian puppies will decide -- or feel great pressure from children -- to purchase one. They would be well-advised to learn all about the breed first. Perhaps the next time around, Disney could add a special feature that provides such information. Just a thought....

101 Dalmations.......2008-02-09

This is one of the best Disney films ever made and is an absolute classic. It has action, suspense and comedy and have brilliant characters like Cruella DeVil, Horace and Jasper and of course the Dalmations, all in all a very good film.

Classic Disney Animation.......2008-01-05

101 Dalmatians is one of the best Disney animated films ever made. The classic story of Pongo and Perdita, the two dalmatians who somehow manage to have one hundred and one puppies is well known around the world. As is the film's evil villain, Cruella De Vil. In the film, she decides that she wants to use the precious puppies to make an exquisite fur coat. However, when Roger and Anita - Pongo and Perdita's owners - refuse to give them up, she chooses to steal them instead. The adventure which ensues will captivate the whole family and unite those young and old in appreciation for this often unmentioned classic.

101.......2007-12-27

This is the classic animated version of the story due to protecting placed on Disney VHS video they are impossible to transfer to DVD for anyone with a basic PC but the Disney Company have other means and probably have a protecting free master copy.

Someone this movie had been deleted and on longer was around but even though this is not out for a few month yet the little preview above give you a taster and you may have seen on TV and own the VHS version.

This DVD is VAT free so the price you see is the price you pay pre-order now.

Average customer rating:
Chicken Ranch [1983]
Director: Nick Broomfield
Manufacturer: Metrodome Distribution
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000B6F8RS
Release Date: 2005-10-31

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