Thumbelina (1994)

Directors:

Don Bluth
Gary Goldman

Writers:

Hans Christian Andersen (original classic fairytale)
Don Bluth (screenplay)

Release Date:

30 March 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

Follow your heart and nothing is impossible.

Plot:

The tiny girl meets a fairy prince who saves her from the creatures of the woods.

Plot Keywords:

Prince | Toad | Fairy | Kidnap | Witch

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Jodi Benson	...	Thumbelina (voice)
Gino Conforti	...	Jacquimo (voice)
Barbara Cook	...	Mother (voice)
Will Ryan	...	Hero / Reverend Rat (voice)
June Foray	...	Queen Tabitha (voice)
Kenneth Mars	...	King Colbert (voice)
Gary Imhoff	...	Prince Cornelius (voice)
Joe Lynch	...	Grundel (voice)
Charo	...	Mrs. Toad (voice)
Danny Mann	...	Mozo (voice)
Loren Lester	...	Gringo (voice)
Kendall Cunningham	...	Baby Bug (voice)
Tawny Sunshine Glover	...	Gnatty (voice)
Michael Nunes	...	Li'l Bee (voice)
Gilbert Gottfried	...	Mr. Beetle (voice)

Also Known As:

Hans Christian Andersen's Thumbelina (USA) (complete title)

Runtime:

Spain:87 min | UK:86 min | USA:86 min

Country:

Ireland | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:G | Iceland:L | Portugal:M/4 | Finland:S | Spain:T | Sweden:Btl | UK:U | USA:G

Filming Locations:

Ireland

Company:

Don Bluth

Trivia:

The producers generated positive ratings during test screenings by playing the Walt Disney Pictures logo at the beginning, making viewers think they were watching a Disney movie.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Prince Cornelius flies past Thumbelina's bedroom window for the first time on his bumble bee he's seen wearing a knights helmet that he wears on and off throughout the film. However, when he hears Thumbelina singing and comes back into the shot his helmet has disappeared entirely.

Quotes:

Queen Tabitha: Don't look now, dear husband, but our son is missing *again*.
King Colbert: [looks] So he is. I think he feels a bit silly riding that white butterfly we gave him.
Queen Tabitha: Weel, why should he feel silly?
King Colbert: It dosn't make the right impression on the young ladies.
Queen Tabitha: Well, what of the impression on the *court*! Colbert, my love, it is the Autumn *today*. And we have begun the golding of the leaves. He *should* be here!
King Colbert: Tabitha...
Queen Tabitha: He'll hurt himself. I just hope he's not buzzing through the vales on that wretched bumblebee. He is the crown prince, for Heaven's sake!
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Shrek 2 (2004)

Soundtrack:

Let Me Be Your Wings (Reprise)

I don't care that I'm all grown up! I love this movie!

So help me, this is the cutest thing I've ever seen! I just love this film. First time I saw it, I went with my 7 year old brother, and was determined to hate it - but, well, I just couldn't. It's soooo cute, and the songs are so good, and the story is so well told - it's just impossible not to like it.

The first thing that I really like about this film is that it (unlike, oh so many Disney films) is actually very loyal to the original fairy tale by H.C. Andersen. They've added a few things, and changed a few details, but all of the things they changed I had to agree with (hey, why not let Thumbelina and the Prince meet at the beginning? It makes more sense for them to already be in love. And what's wrong with making the Fieldmouse a girl? It's Carol Channing!) This is very true to the original story - so much more than Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID (which was supposedly based off another H.C. Andersen tale - but you'd never guess it).

The animation is good, it's not the best, but it's fine. The real star of this film is the music. A beautiful score by Barry Manilow helped out by fabulous voice work. The wonderful Jodi Benson heads the cast (she was also the voice of Ariel in THE LITTLE MERMAID) and she is delightful as Thumbelina. I've been lucky enough to meet Ms. Benson and I have to say, she is just the sweetest person you could ever hope to know. She's got a wonderful, child-like speaking voice, and a glorious singing voice - just the perfect choice for the lead. She's joined in the cast by Gilbert Gottfried, Barbara Cook, Carol Channing, and (another voice talent from THE LITTLE MERMAID) Kenneth Mars.

This film is just beautifully done. It's faithful to the original, it's lovely to see, and has a marvelous soundtrack. I don't care that I'm all grown up - this is a movie I can't help but love.