Dumbo

Composite Score: 84.6

Starring: Sterling Holloway, Edward Brophy, Herman Bing, Cliff Edwards, and Verna Felton

Director: Ben Sharpsteen

Writers: Joe Grant and Dick Huemer

Genres: Animation, Adventure, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Musical

MPAA Rating: G

Box Office: $3,731 worldwide

Why should you Watch This Film?

                Dumbo is the film adaptation of Helen Aberson and Harold Pearl’s book Dumbo the Flying Elephant about a circus elephant born with big ears and his struggle to fit in in his community of performers. The film is considered an animated classic – one of the earliest feature films from Walt Disney Studios – and it shines in the creative blend of realism and fantasy that its animation captures and memorable soundtrack that plays behind it. The children’s story of an elephant turning what society views as a disability into a strength remains universally applicable today, helping the film’s otherwise dated narrative stand the test of time.

Why shouldn’t you Watch This Film?

                There’s not many highlights in Dumbo outside of its creative animation, mostly positive outlook for those marginalized by society, and catchy tunes. The film’s narrative does little to engage the viewer, relying more on its many flashy animal animations and strange musical digressions to maintain your attention and (hopefully) distract you from the fact that you’re really just watching an animal suffer emotional abuse for a little over an hour from its peers, owners, and coworkers(?), not to mention the portrayal of a child consuming large amounts of alcohol and the incredibly racist caricatures that close the film out. It really sucks that the film’s two most memorable songs also happen to be its most problematic. “Pink Elephants” serves as a great example of creativity in animation as long as you don’t think too much about the moral implications of Dumbo and Timothy getting wildly drunk on mystery booze being the most entertaining bit in a children’s film. Likewise, “When I See an Elephant Fly” is a swinging, jazzy hit that also happens to be sung by some deeply offensive caricatures of black Americans in the characters of the crows (Disney apologizes for this portrayal at the start of the streaming version of this film, this is not a reach, I promise). It’s like they couldn’t stop shooting themselves in the long-term foot with the way this narrative plays out.

So wait, why should you Watch This Film?

                Dumbo salvages its spot among the greats with a strong showing from its animators, achieving fun and creative sequences in a formative film in the history of animation. From anthropomorphic animals and trains to realistic animal movements, Disney’s animators put on a masterclass, showcasing skill and creativity in the early era of animated films. It’s fun to watch and experience the development of the early stages even if the content behind it leaves something to be desired.

                The innovation showcased by the animators working on Dumbo allows it to hold a special place in film history, worthy of note, even with story and content that might not measure up under modern standards of scrutiny. It is currently streaming on Disney+ if you’d like to check it out.