Peter and the Wolf

Disney's version of the Sergei Prokofiev musical composition. Originally part of the movie Make Mine Music, this cartoon was released later on its own as a theatrical short. I saw it as a kid as part of a compilation video. It wasn't until I was grown up that I realized it was originally part of another movie. It's nicely animated with some likable characters and plenty of that old school Disney charm. The music is great. Sterling Holloway provides the narration. He possessed one of those distinctive voices that, once you hear it, you'll never forget. I won't cover the plot to the story as most people pretty much know the plot to Peter and the Wolf, right? So, give it a shot if you can find it on its own or, better yet, watch Make Mine Music and see it with many other fun cartoons.

This is definitely an underrated short movie, that I haven't seen around for ages. Though when I was a kid, I was absolutely terrified of the wolf, and his music, provided by three french horns. My younger sister is still terrified of this movie, and she still refuses to see it. What makes it memorable, is the music by Prokoviev. I loved it how he used a different instrument for each character, such as the flute for the bird and the clarinet for the cat. Actually, contrary to another review, I liked Sterling Holloway's narration. Sure it got a little distracting, but it is a kids movie, and Peter and the Wolf is one of those works where a narrator is obligatory. The animation is spot on, but it is easy to get frightened by the wolf. All in all, a memorable and underrated musical memory. Before I round off, I once had the video where it had two other shorts, the land of symphony and Isle of Jazz short and the one with Mickey Mouse conducting the orchestra. I'm just wondering if I'm the only one who remembers them. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Childhood. Wonderful mother who bought the LP for me plus Dr. Seuss books in the early 50s. Ben and Me and so many others.

Now I'm 68 and still watching this gem. Love the music (Peter theme has always been MY theme; I whistle it regularly). Like that Sonia survives. Always have felt bad for the wolf. Sterling Holloway is the best! Walt Disney: thanks. (I also watch Ichabod and Mr. Toad every Halloween!).

Confession: I just bought Disney "Alice in Wonderland" DVD simply to hear Sterling and Ed Wynn! Really.

Disney is defintely a major part of American folk history.

P.S. Special mention as another voice and fillm actor: Eric Blore (Mr. Toad). One of my heroes Blore is.

"Peter and the Wolf" is a wonderful Disney animated short. It is one of the segments from "Make Mine Music" (the 8th animated Disney classic). However, I was never really a fan of "Make Mine Music" and I don't remember much from it.

But I always loved "Peter and the Wolf" and I'm familiar with it, so I decided to write a review just for that one.

It is a perfect Disney classic. Along with "Fantasia", this is a good way to introduce classical music to children, so that they can appreciate this type of music since an early age. Classical music is often an underestimated sort of music, which is unfair.

However, "Peter and the Wolf" has the classical music of Sergei Prokofiev. It is a beautiful, soft and very relaxing music to hear.

The music is also used here for a peculiar aim: to represent thematically each character by the sound of several musical instruments (violins, flute and others).

The characters are adorable: Sasha (a bird), Sonia (a duck), Ivan (a cat) and the brave little boy Peter.

Peter is a very brave child because he decides to get out of his house (where he lives with his grandfather) to try to hunt a big bad wolf. But the wolf isn't just big - it is enormous! It is also quite scary, especially on his first appearance when he looks literally to the camera. This wolf is also absolutely amazing and majestic!

Once Peter leaves home he makes immediately friends (animal friends): Sasha, Sonia and Ivan. They have a great time together, but when they have to confront the wolf, they're all (except Sasha) in panic and absolutely frightened, especially Ivan.

Sasha doesn't show off his fear and confronts the wolf in a brave but at the same time hilarious way: he uses his beak as a defense and then he tries (unsuccessfully) to roll the wolf's lips. That's when the wolf takes the bird into his enormous and amazing mouth and starts to close it... Sasha is almost the wolf's lunch - a scene full of tension and suspense.

The beauty of the artwork and sceneries is another quality of this great and timeless classic.

This should definitely be on Top 250.

I first saw this short when it was part of the compilation movie, Make Mine Music. It's an entertaining program telling the fairy tale of Russian boy Peter and his hunt for a raiding wolf, played to the very catchy and harmonic music of Sergei Prokofiev.

Winnie-the-Pooh voice actor Sterling Holloway does a nice job narrating, and the music fits in well with the excitement, intrigue, and adventures of the story.

Grade A