The Family That Dwelt Apart (1973)

A family of seven lives on a New England island with nobody else. One winter, they got stranded because the bay froze over. This didn't much matter to them, but someone on the mainland ... See full summary »

Director:

Yvon Mallette

Writer:

E.B. White (story)

Stars:

E.B. White

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
E.B. White	...	Narrator

Storyline

A family of seven lives on a New England island with nobody else. One winter, they got stranded because the bay froze over. This didn't much matter to them, but someone on the mainland remembered them and launched an aerial rescue mission; an unfounded story that one boy had appendicitis results in a larger rescue mission, with the situation rapidly escalating into a major catastrophe all because of the rescue mission.

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Plot Keywords:

rescue | island | family relationships | independent film

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Genres:

Animation | Short | Comedy

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Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

October 1973 (USA)

Also Known As:

La familia que vivió apartada

Company Credits

Production Co:

National Film Board of Canada (NFB)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

8 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Proof that Thoreau was right!

This cartoon, a product of the National Film Board of Canada, tells the story of a family living contentedly on their own until the outside world mistakenly believes they need "help". Watching this cartoon, I remembered something Henry David Thoreau once said, "If I knew that a man were coming to my home with the fixed intention of doing me good, I would flee for my very life." Good deeds are often a mixed blessing for all parties. First, above all, do no harm. Highly recommended.