The Fox and the Hound (1981)

Two childhood animal friends find themselves forced to become enemies.

Directors:

Ted Berman, Richard Rich,

Writers:

Daniel P. Mannix (based on the book by), Larry Clemmons (story),

Stars:

Mickey Rooney, Kurt Russell, Pearl Bailey

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Mickey Rooney	...	Tod (voice)
Kurt Russell	...	Copper (voice)
Pearl Bailey	...	Big Mama (voice)
Jack Albertson	...	Amos Slade (voice)
Sandy Duncan	...	Vixey (voice)
Jeanette Nolan	...	Widow Tweed (voice)
Pat Buttram	...	Chief (voice)
John Fiedler	...	Porcupine (voice)
John McIntire	...	Badger (voice)
Richard Bakalyan	...	Dinky (voice) (as Dick Bakalyan)
Paul Winchell	...	Boomer (voice)
Keith Coogan	...	Young Tod (voice) (as Keith Mitchell)
Corey Feldman	...	Young Copper (voice)
'Squeeks' the Caterpillar	...	(voice)

Storyline

A young fox named Tod is taken in by an old woman after his mother is killed by a hunter. Full of mischief, Young Tod befriends Copper, a hound dog pup. As they grow up, however, their friendship becomes endangered by what they have become; Copper is a hunting dog, and Tod is his prey.

---

Plot Keywords:

dog | fox | friendship | animal | hunting | 

---

Taglines:

Two friends that didn't know they were supposed to be enemies.

---

Genres:

Animation | Adventure | Family

---

Certificate:

G

Details

Official Sites:

Disney [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 July 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

El Zorro y el sabueso

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$29,800,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min

Sound Mix:

3 Channel Stereo (RCA Photophone System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The National Stuttering Project targeted Boomer the stammering woodpecker when protesting the film's release on video.

---

Goofs

Tod's collar disappears and reappears during the night hunt scene.

---

Quotes

Big Mama: Listen good, Tod, 'cause it's either education or elimination.

---

Crazy Credits

And "Squeeks" the caterpillar.

---

Connections

Referenced in Hewy's Animated Movie Reviews: Alpha and Omega (2010)

---

Soundtracks

"A Huntin' Man"
(1981)
Music and Lyrics by Jim Stafford
Performed by Jack Albertson (uncredited)

User Reviews

Good clean fun with a touch of heartache

This is my favorite Disney movie of all time. It is, in my opinion, one of their finest. Why do I think so? First, I like its realism. It is not some fantastic fairy tale, nor is it some good-against-evil-good-eventually-triumphs story. There are no heroes or villains in this story. This lack of good and evil made the story and the characters seem more alive than the ones you usually see.

I also like the message this movie gives. It is simple yet powerful. The two main characters wanted only the most innocent of things - friendship. Yet society couldn't allow this friendship to be. This movie tugs at your heart, and it doesn't stop tugging. And the realism didn't diminish any by the movie's close. The main characters' problems remained unresolved, yet each finished the movie in contentment. I feel that this lack of a "everything's okie-dokie again" finish like you see in traditional animated movies gave this story a powerful element.

If you're looking for songs your children can sing over and over again, you've come to the wrong movie. Each song is sung in a flavorful yet discreet manner. Little orchestration. Yet if you're looking for memorable characters, you've come to the right movie. Each character is very well developed, motivated by true emotions and the things that the everyday person wants - love, food, companionship. Each character is vibrantly drawn, and this vibrancy is matched by the character's personality. I saw a real person within the animal. Nobody is created in an idealistic image.

From realistic characters come a realistic story. Nothing felt written or hacked. Everything felt like it was supposed to happen. There was nothing outlandish about the entire story. And if you're looking for comedy, you'll find none. This is pure drama, yet it's drama that kids can easily understand. This movie had a story that seemed like it could've easily happened to the average person. This is a rare and endearing quality.

Basically, I loved this movie for what it had, a heart of gold, but also for what it lacked, a traditional formula. If you're looking for a story with a difference and a bittersweet flavor, this is the movie for you! It is nice, quiet, yet provocative and emotional. To sum it up, it is good clean fun with a touch of heartache, a true drama!