Dumbo (1941)
While Disney is now viewed as a grand empire that cannot be stopped, the early history of the company often saw the studio on the verge of closure and financial failure. While Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was a hit, the studios next two features, Pinocchio and Fantasia, brought the studio financial losses and Disney was in need of a hit, Returning to a mindset of simplicity that would speak to wide audiences, the studio would create their next feature for this exact goal, Dumbo. Based on the story written by Helen Aberson and Harold Pearl, Dumbo follows a young elephant named Jumbo Jr. who gets ridiculed and bullied for his uniquely large ears. As his situation worsens and he becomes more of an outcast, he befriends a mouse named Timothy, voiced by Edward Brophy, who decides to help Jumbo Jr. find his place and discover that he is special and worthwhile, even if he is different.
The story of Dumbo is one that is purposefully simple and straightforward. Taking an easy concept for audiences to relate to, the feeling of not fitting in due to something not in their control, the film is designed to be easily digestible and relatable. While this might not lead to the most revolutionary viewing experience, the film does achieve its goals and creates a film that is hard to not feel an emotional reaction from. As Jumbo Jr.'s life falls apart and he is left alone, it is impossible not to feel for him and when he finally soars high and finds his place, it is hard not to feel like it is a worthwhile conclusion.
This is particularly where the animation shines. The character animations are expressive and personable while the world is often brought to life through unique iconography and design choices. It is also impossible not to mention the memorable and experimental Pink Elephants on Parade sequence within the film that has become one of the most iconic displays of color and trippy visuals in Disney history. When it comes to creativity and effectiveness, it is hard to point to many early Disney films that quite match what is achieved within Dumbo.
Of course, Dumbo is not only remembered and discussed for its positive attributes. One cannot discuss the narrative of the film without also bringing up the characters of the crowd which help Dumbo learn to fly. These characters have found themselves at the center of debate and controversy as some feel uncomfortable with how these characters embrace and are largely defined by racial stereotypes which can be viewed as problematic. More reading and discussion on this matter can be found here and here, but no matter what side of the debate one finds themselves on, their presence and role are undeniably notable and continues to be one of the most popularized examples of problematic racial politics within Disney's filmography.
Beyond this, there are some weaker points in the narrative that begin to drag or feel unnatural. Specifically when it comes to the other elephants who pester and ostracize Jumbo Jr., there is a clear lack of true character work and perspective as the film never really gives them much depth and by the end, it never feels like justice is found for them. In fact, justice is never really found for many of the characters that treat Jumbo Jr. wrong. The film rushes to a clean happy ending allowing all characters to seemingly find their peace once Jumbo Jr. learns how to turn his unique trait into an act that can generate profit. As far as actually being a film looking at why it is ok to be different, a frustrating lack of actual strong messaging and perspective is found.
This lack of character work continues onto the film's protagonists. Keeping in mind that the film was aiming for simplicity, it makes sense that nearly every character would lack personality, but this doesn't mean the film feels any more compelling as a result. Characters are basic and only serve to fit their generic roles within this narrative rather than display personality or depth. The one character that does overcome this is Timothy Q. Mouse, largely thanks to Edward Brophy's performance, but the rest of the characters ultimately fall flat. It doesn't help that Jumbo Jr. isn't given a single line of dialogue through the film's entire 64-minute runtime leaving the audience without much to connect to beyond him being a sad baby elephant.
While Dumbo is far from being a bad film, its simplistic and basic intentions causes the film to feel overall quite forgettable. Outside of the film's animation, there is little for the audience to truly appreciate outside of the film's more basic emotional swings. On paper, this lack of depth seems like the film would be a perfect candidate for a remake, but judging by Tim Burton's disastrous 2019 effort, it feels best that the film is left to history
The story of Dumbo is one that is purposefully simple and straightforward. Taking an easy concept for audiences to relate to, the feeling of not fitting in due to something not in their control, the film is designed to be easily digestible and relatable. While this might not lead to the most revolutionary viewing experience, the film does achieve its goals and creates a film that is hard to not feel an emotional reaction from. As Jumbo Jr.'s life falls apart and he is left alone, it is impossible not to feel for him and when he finally soars high and finds his place, it is hard not to feel like it is a worthwhile conclusion.
This is particularly where the animation shines. The character animations are expressive and personable while the world is often brought to life through unique iconography and design choices. It is also impossible not to mention the memorable and experimental Pink Elephants on Parade sequence within the film that has become one of the most iconic displays of color and trippy visuals in Disney history. When it comes to creativity and effectiveness, it is hard to point to many early Disney films that quite match what is achieved within Dumbo.
Of course, Dumbo is not only remembered and discussed for its positive attributes. One cannot discuss the narrative of the film without also bringing up the characters of the crowd which help Dumbo learn to fly. These characters have found themselves at the center of debate and controversy as some feel uncomfortable with how these characters embrace and are largely defined by racial stereotypes which can be viewed as problematic. More reading and discussion on this matter can be found here and here, but no matter what side of the debate one finds themselves on, their presence and role are undeniably notable and continues to be one of the most popularized examples of problematic racial politics within Disney's filmography.
Beyond this, there are some weaker points in the narrative that begin to drag or feel unnatural. Specifically when it comes to the other elephants who pester and ostracize Jumbo Jr., there is a clear lack of true character work and perspective as the film never really gives them much depth and by the end, it never feels like justice is found for them. In fact, justice is never really found for many of the characters that treat Jumbo Jr. wrong. The film rushes to a clean happy ending allowing all characters to seemingly find their peace once Jumbo Jr. learns how to turn his unique trait into an act that can generate profit. As far as actually being a film looking at why it is ok to be different, a frustrating lack of actual strong messaging and perspective is found.
This lack of character work continues onto the film's protagonists. Keeping in mind that the film was aiming for simplicity, it makes sense that nearly every character would lack personality, but this doesn't mean the film feels any more compelling as a result. Characters are basic and only serve to fit their generic roles within this narrative rather than display personality or depth. The one character that does overcome this is Timothy Q. Mouse, largely thanks to Edward Brophy's performance, but the rest of the characters ultimately fall flat. It doesn't help that Jumbo Jr. isn't given a single line of dialogue through the film's entire 64-minute runtime leaving the audience without much to connect to beyond him being a sad baby elephant.
While Dumbo is far from being a bad film, its simplistic and basic intentions causes the film to feel overall quite forgettable. Outside of the film's animation, there is little for the audience to truly appreciate outside of the film's more basic emotional swings. On paper, this lack of depth seems like the film would be a perfect candidate for a remake, but judging by Tim Burton's disastrous 2019 effort, it feels best that the film is left to history