Cute songs, and an interesting story line. I remember this one from when I was little, and I loved watching the wolf, who is the Devil's helper but not heartless himself. Just be sure if you ever make a bargain with the Devil you read the fine print, because he certainly will!
10 Reviews
Okay watch for musicians and during Halloween
Horst_In_Translation11 November 2016
Warning: Spoilers
"The Devil and Daniel Mouse" is a 25-minute animated short film from 1978, so this one will soon have its 40th anniversary. It is a Canadian Nelvana English-language production and the director is Clive A. Smith. The music comes from John Sebastian. The main characters in here are two mice who make music, but don't have a lot of success. So one of them (the female) makes a deal with the devil and becomes very successful. But then the day of revenge comes for her. This is a decent story on morals and friendship and also has a couple fun moments I guess. All in all, it's a solid watch for young and not so young audiences I would say. The message is decent, the music is not bad (not good either though) and the characters are nicely animated and interesting to watch overall. The 1970s have certainly not been among the greatest animated short films had to offer and the Golden Age of Animation was over at that point already, but here we have a television special from 1978 that proves that with all the dark in terms of the genre, there is also some light. I recommend the watch.
A musical Halloween special from Nelvana
ja_kitty_7130 October 2009
I love animation from Nelvana Ltd., along with animation from Fleischer Studios, Disney Studios, Rankin/Bass, Studio Ghibli from Japan, and Hanna/Barbera. Nelvana has great series like "Redwall," "Class of the Titans," "Little Bear," etc. Yes, Nelvana is an awesome studio. Well anyway, I loved this special, "The Devil and Daniel Mouse," after I had watched it when I was in junior high. The special was broadcast as a Halloween special on October 22, 1978, on Canada's CBC and then released on VHS in the 80s. Of course, I did not know whether it was a Halloween special; I guess I had heard that Halloween can be the highest satanic holy day, right?
Well, anyway (again), this musical special is about two young mouse folk singers named Daniel and Jan who find themselves with a bleak future after finding their audience drying up in favor of rock music. Desperate for a better career and life, Jan vows that she would do anything to become a rock star. Instantly, the Devil arises to take advantage of that and offers to make her a star in exchange for her soul. She agrees, and she quickly becomes the star she's dreamed of, while Daniel is left behind. On the night of her greatest triumph, her concert, the devil comes to collect on her soul. In desperation, she turns to Daniel, who must attempt the impossible task of trying to find an escape loophole for his girl's release.
This special was also remade as the film "Rock & Rule," both about a couple in a musical group struggling in talent shows, the female member used in a diabolical scheme, and the heroines dressed in white tatters and their lovers vanquishing an evil with a song from the heart. So my last word is that I love this special, with excellent music and a top-notch cast.
Well, anyway (again), this musical special is about two young mouse folk singers named Daniel and Jan who find themselves with a bleak future after finding their audience drying up in favor of rock music. Desperate for a better career and life, Jan vows that she would do anything to become a rock star. Instantly, the Devil arises to take advantage of that and offers to make her a star in exchange for her soul. She agrees, and she quickly becomes the star she's dreamed of, while Daniel is left behind. On the night of her greatest triumph, her concert, the devil comes to collect on her soul. In desperation, she turns to Daniel, who must attempt the impossible task of trying to find an escape loophole for his girl's release.
This special was also remade as the film "Rock & Rule," both about a couple in a musical group struggling in talent shows, the female member used in a diabolical scheme, and the heroines dressed in white tatters and their lovers vanquishing an evil with a song from the heart. So my last word is that I love this special, with excellent music and a top-notch cast.
So cute, and yet so deadly...
hoversj1 July 2005
Warning: Spoilers
The devil in this is really sleazy. He makes the movie.
The plot is a fairly common one from the 70s (which also brought us The Phantom of the Paradise - with another good devil) - would you sell your soul for rock 'n' roll? A folk duo, Jan and Dan, break up when the devil offers Jan a chance to sign on and she jumps at it, leaving sweet, dopey Dan behind. Jan goes on to fame, fortune, and some really flashy outfits. Then, when her contract comes up, the devil decides to collect her soul and ever-faithful Dan shows up to defend her in a kangaroo-court (or rather, ghost, snake and shark court, if I remember correctly), judged by the big bad horned one himself.
Very sweet. The music is fun (in the same way Xanadu is - VERY 70s), and some of the moments still give me goosebumps.
Also this is VERY CLEARLY a precursor to Nelvana's much more ambitious work Rock and Rule, where a similar boy-girl team (plus two more band members) are broken up when the girl is given a shot at fame (by a representative of the devil), etc., etc.,....
The plot is a fairly common one from the 70s (which also brought us The Phantom of the Paradise - with another good devil) - would you sell your soul for rock 'n' roll? A folk duo, Jan and Dan, break up when the devil offers Jan a chance to sign on and she jumps at it, leaving sweet, dopey Dan behind. Jan goes on to fame, fortune, and some really flashy outfits. Then, when her contract comes up, the devil decides to collect her soul and ever-faithful Dan shows up to defend her in a kangaroo-court (or rather, ghost, snake and shark court, if I remember correctly), judged by the big bad horned one himself.
Very sweet. The music is fun (in the same way Xanadu is - VERY 70s), and some of the moments still give me goosebumps.
Also this is VERY CLEARLY a precursor to Nelvana's much more ambitious work Rock and Rule, where a similar boy-girl team (plus two more band members) are broken up when the girl is given a shot at fame (by a representative of the devil), etc., etc.,....
Look where the music will take you
dtucker8619 September 2003
I remember watching this cartoon as a kid growing up in Fairmont, West Virginia (the home of Mary Lou Retton). It is an excellent modern day adaptation of Benet's classic story told in animation. They do a wonderful job of bringing it into the 70's, in fact you could almost say that it is a cartoon for adults in some ways. The message is meaningful in so many ways that a song from your heart sets you free and beats the devil every time. I am so sorry but I still have that song stuck in my head from over twenty years ago......look where the music will take you when your getting low....a song from your heart sets you free and beats the devil every single time.
very '70's
movieman_kev26 August 2005
This 22 minute short, short of a precursor to the later much better "Rock and Rule", features two folk singer mice who are going nowhere. The female mouse, Jan, signs a deal with the devil to become a hit rock star. So it's up to Daniel Mouse to save her soul. Made in the late '70's this has all the trappings of said decade (crap music, crap clothing and hair style, awful folk tunes) This cartoon is featured on the Second disc of the 2-Disk Collector's Edition of "Rock and Rule", it also comes with a Making of that runs almost as long as the show itself.
My Grade: D+
My Grade: D+
Utterly charming
TelevisionJunkie16 April 2006
In exchange for fame as a rock star, Jan Mouse unknowingly signs a contract for her soul with Bealzabub.
Yes, the story's been done to death (another commenter mentioned the very similar "Phantom of the Paradise"), but this has to be one of the most charming versions. Rooted in the '70s, the animation is truly dazzling at times, the music (by The Lovin' Spoonful's John Sebastian) is diverse and infectious and the film itself is entertaining enough for both children and adults. Not too many '70s made-for-TV specials can boast all of that.
While Mrs. Daniel Mouse is the star, it's the Devil who steals the show, constantly morphing and contorting with ease as he subtly growls his dialog. One of the greatest villains to grace any screen, it's almost a shame that Beal didn't appear in a theatrical film where he had exposure to a wider audience.
It seems that "Daniel Mouse" is under-appreciated by fans of the much darker "Rock & Rule," the film that it inspired, but it appears on the 2-disc DVD set of "R&R" (where I first discovered it). Just a warning: the DVD version has been slightly trimmed, but it can be found in it's entirety for viewing online. While this is certainly more sugary and family-oriented than the later film, it's WAY above average fare for TV from that era... I'd certainly liken it to a good Disney production.
Yes, the story's been done to death (another commenter mentioned the very similar "Phantom of the Paradise"), but this has to be one of the most charming versions. Rooted in the '70s, the animation is truly dazzling at times, the music (by The Lovin' Spoonful's John Sebastian) is diverse and infectious and the film itself is entertaining enough for both children and adults. Not too many '70s made-for-TV specials can boast all of that.
While Mrs. Daniel Mouse is the star, it's the Devil who steals the show, constantly morphing and contorting with ease as he subtly growls his dialog. One of the greatest villains to grace any screen, it's almost a shame that Beal didn't appear in a theatrical film where he had exposure to a wider audience.
It seems that "Daniel Mouse" is under-appreciated by fans of the much darker "Rock & Rule," the film that it inspired, but it appears on the 2-disc DVD set of "R&R" (where I first discovered it). Just a warning: the DVD version has been slightly trimmed, but it can be found in it's entirety for viewing online. While this is certainly more sugary and family-oriented than the later film, it's WAY above average fare for TV from that era... I'd certainly liken it to a good Disney production.
Bad Adaptation of an Interesting Story
sillylittlemonkey-206-79215822 December 2012
Why is this getting so many good reviews?
I'm going to start out blunt. It's not a good short film.
The characters are boring and they have no personality or dept at all. Seriously. What can I say about Jan's character other than "she sells her soul to the devil"? The answer is nothing. She's dull. They are all dull.
The animation is just awful. It moves too fast and soppy, the way the characters are designed is ugly. The Devil looks like a fat alligator. In fact worst devil I've ever seen.
The songs are just bad seventies music. Though, it's not as horrible as everything else.
The movie's plot is interesting. An unfortunate person sells their soul to the devil for a better life, eventually they realize "I'm going to hell", and they stand trial against Satan. This was a bad adaptation of that story.
I'm giving this movie 1 out 10
I'm going to start out blunt. It's not a good short film.
The characters are boring and they have no personality or dept at all. Seriously. What can I say about Jan's character other than "she sells her soul to the devil"? The answer is nothing. She's dull. They are all dull.
The animation is just awful. It moves too fast and soppy, the way the characters are designed is ugly. The Devil looks like a fat alligator. In fact worst devil I've ever seen.
The songs are just bad seventies music. Though, it's not as horrible as everything else.
The movie's plot is interesting. An unfortunate person sells their soul to the devil for a better life, eventually they realize "I'm going to hell", and they stand trial against Satan. This was a bad adaptation of that story.
I'm giving this movie 1 out 10
Brings back fond memories
apromain21 October 2009
I can remember it like yesterday. Christmas Eve 1978 or 9, and I'd been out helping Dad at work. It was cold, we'd had a lot of snow, and we came in at teatime. Whilst Dad got our tea, I sat and put the telly on, a big wooden box with the big clunky channel knobs. This cartoon came on and I was transfixed. Thirty one years later and it's one of my most fond and vivid memories of being with my Dad. Cold 1970's winters, helping out on the farm, and being a child again. It's funny what you latch on to for childhood memories, but this rates pretty highly up there for me. Just reading about it has started tears running down my face with fond nostalgia, and wishing back to a time when things were so much simpler.
We won't forget Ash!
matthewbanegas9 March 2024
The song Look Where the Music Can Take You is the best song that John Sebastian & Valerie Carter sung! Nelvana's iconic polar bear logo made its first appearance at the end of the film. The polar bear was eventually used as a in-credit logo later in their specials from 1979 to 1980 and from after 1980 to 1988. It is generally considered as the precursor to Rock & Rule. And is the best Nelvana movie ever! And there was a storybook First published by Avon/Camelot in 1979, the storybook was written by screenwriter Ken Sobol and features music and lyrics for three John Sebastian penned songs (I've Got a Song, Can You Help Me Find My Song? And Look Where the Music Can Take You). Simplified for younger readers, many of the visual gags and a few scenes were omitted from the book.
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