In early-20th-century New England, 9-year-old orphan Pete escapes his brutal adoptive parents, the Gogans, with his only friend, a cartoon dragon named Elliott. They successfully escape to Passamaquoddy, Maine and live with lighthouse-keeper Nora and her father Lampie, but the corrupt Dr. Terminus seeks Elliott for medical purposes.Written by
Matthew Anscher <ansch002@acpub.duke.edu>
The film's musical score and songs are out of place for the time and setting; sea shanties and other period music would be more authentic.The producers and song writers agreed that modern pop songs would make the film far more appealing to a broad audience. See more »
Goofs
When the "Bill of Sale" song is being sung, near the end of it when they are all flying in the air and all saying "We've got a bill of sale right here," Merle is singing when Willie is up in the air and vice versa. See more »
Quotes
[first lines]
Grover:
Petey.
Merle:
Where'd he go?
[when Elliott was flying up with Pete]
Merle:
He must have went that-a-way. Oh, Petey...
[Owl Hooting]
Merle:
I'll wring his neck!
Grover:
Petey!
Grover:
Petey.
[Hooting Continues]
[...] See more »
Alternate Versions
This Disney film has a troubled history as far as the many different versions released over the years. It originally ran 134 minutes. After its premiere engagement in Hollywood, it was cut down to 121 minutes before it premiered in New York. When it was released in Europe, it ran 105 minutes, with the following edits: -"Candle on the Water" (which survived only as an instrumental passage over the credits replacing the original overture) and "The Happiest Home in These Hills" were eliminated entirely.
-Verses from "I Saw A Dragon," "Passamashloddy," "There's Room For Everyone," and "Every Little Piece" were cut.
-21 scenes were shortened. This version was used for the original home video release in 1980, while every video since then has run 128 minutes, restoring the songs and the majority of dramatic material. However, when Disney re-released it in theaters, it was the European cut. Even further cuts were made for the TV version of the film, which premiered on "The Disney Sunday Movie" in 1986. See more »
I completely agree with Leonard Maltin's review for this film: the animated dragon is indeed a charming character, but when he's off-screen, watch out! Most of the actors (but especially the nauseatingly cute kid and the seriously neurotic Mickey Rooney) seem to be participating in an overacting competition. When Shelley Winters is not even the most over-the-top person in a film, you know you're in trouble. In short, this is STRICTLY for kids. Leave the room and let them see it alone. (**)
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I completely agree with Leonard Maltin's review for this film: the animated dragon is indeed a charming character, but when he's off-screen, watch out! Most of the actors (but especially the nauseatingly cute kid and the seriously neurotic Mickey Rooney) seem to be participating in an overacting competition. When Shelley Winters is not even the most over-the-top person in a film, you know you're in trouble. In short, this is STRICTLY for kids. Leave the room and let them see it alone. (**)