I can't remember for the life of me how I saw this special. I think Nickelodeon used to show some old muppet specials on during the day or as special events (they also played the Muppet Show for a while I believe). I remember this clearly as Kermit the frog appears briefly at the start, and talks to a donkey who's on his way to "fame, fortune, and gogolala" (that last part isn't entirely correct quote, but it's close). For kids, it's an entertaining slice of obscure muppet-mania, as there is a host of regular farm-like muppets (not the usual assortment, so try not to be too disappointed by that), loaded with songs and some morals too with the story. It's also very 'old-school' as a TV production, but with the skill and charm that we all know and love from director Henson and writer Jerry Juhl. If you're a parent and you can find a copy- and have the courage to show it to such a child who didn't grow up properly on most puppets (save, hopefully, for Sesame Street)- it's worth a shot, and I'm sure it'll be a good collectible for Muppet fanatics.
Tales from Muppetland: The Muppet Musicians of Bremen (1972 TV Movie)
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Review this title11 Reviews
Out of Print!
TSHunter24 December 2002
Not sure why this one went out of print. In my opinion, this is the funniest thing to come out of Jim Henson's workshop. When I was a kid, it kept me and my brothers and sisters cracking up from start to finish. One line that was memorable and made us laugh till our sides hurt was when the man said to the donkey, "Le-roy! It's all yoooooure fault!" You have to see it to know what I mean. Hopefully this will someday come back in print. This is probably just a cult sort of thing, though; I grew up with the Muppet Show and the Muppet Movies.
best Muppet movie ever!
rsmelone30 December 2005
I haven't seen this movie since it aired way back when and I was a little kid but it's still the best Muppet movie ever made! My brothers, sisters and I have laughed so hard over the years, remembering the wonderful storyline and insane animal owners, we have it memorized just from that one viewing and my sister's old LP! The character's are great, the script is hilarious and the movie should be put to DVD and reintroduced to a new crowd of kids who deserve to see a Muppet movie without the usual Muppet dopiness so common to their recent movies and with no Miss Piggy. Was this movie too harsh for the unsuspecting viewers who expected to see cuddly Grover and silly antics from Ernie and Bert? Was there horror at not having random, unnecessary characters show up for no reason and no love story with Kermit and Miss Piggy? This is a movie like no other Muppet movie. See it if you can find it.
One of the most entertaining children's movies I've ever seen!
Haifis10 July 2010
Warning: Spoilers
This story follows the lives of the four characters: Leroy the lazy donkey. T.R. the terrified rooster. Rover Joe, the old hound dog. And Catgut, the throaty singing cat.
Leroy is owned by a Louisiana bayou-dwelling redneck by the name of Mordecai Sledge. In addition to being a farmer, Mordecai has another shady occupation: He is also a robber and he leads a gang of thieves.
When a burglary goes wrong and the gang winds up with a bag of musical instruments instead of jewels, Mordecai blames Leroy and pulls out a shotgun. Leroy takes off with a tuba around his neck. (Known as a "devilhorn" to Mordecai.) Kermit the frog instructs Leroy how to play the tuba. Leroy decides to become a traveling musician.
Next potential musician is T.R. which stands for Terrified Rooster. He is owned by an abusive and morbidly obese farmer known only as Old man Lardpork. Lardpork is furious that T.R. forgot to wake him up one morning. When T.R. makes a fresh comment about Lardpork's weight and causes Lardpork to drop his sandwich, it all hits the fan. Lardpork threatens to kill T.R. which causes the rooster to run away. On T.R.'s way out, he runs into Leroy. T.R. learns how to play the banjo.
The third musical critter is Rover Joe, an aging bloodhound. Rover Joe is owned by a very nervous hillbilly named Mean Floyd. One night, Mean Floyd succumbs to paranoia and is convinced there are ghosts in his home. "Ghosts are coming out of the ground! I can hear 'em breathing! There's a ghost!" When Mean Floyd finds out the supposed ghost is none other than Rover Joe, he becomes furious and throws the poor dog out the window, causing the glass to shatter. Leroy and T.R. find Rover Joe and take him under their wing. Rover Joe learns how to play the trombone.
The last is Catgut, a pretty female cat with long lashes with a raspy voice much like Carol Channing. Catgut was owned by a crotchety elderly man Caleb Stiles who lives in a big house. When Catgut refuses to kill the rats in the pantry, Caleb tosses her out of his home.
Catgut joins the band and becomes the trumpet player.
But then the four animals run into their owners again........what will happen? I'll let you see. Trust me, this is a great film! You will love it even if you are an adult like me!
Leroy is owned by a Louisiana bayou-dwelling redneck by the name of Mordecai Sledge. In addition to being a farmer, Mordecai has another shady occupation: He is also a robber and he leads a gang of thieves.
When a burglary goes wrong and the gang winds up with a bag of musical instruments instead of jewels, Mordecai blames Leroy and pulls out a shotgun. Leroy takes off with a tuba around his neck. (Known as a "devilhorn" to Mordecai.) Kermit the frog instructs Leroy how to play the tuba. Leroy decides to become a traveling musician.
Next potential musician is T.R. which stands for Terrified Rooster. He is owned by an abusive and morbidly obese farmer known only as Old man Lardpork. Lardpork is furious that T.R. forgot to wake him up one morning. When T.R. makes a fresh comment about Lardpork's weight and causes Lardpork to drop his sandwich, it all hits the fan. Lardpork threatens to kill T.R. which causes the rooster to run away. On T.R.'s way out, he runs into Leroy. T.R. learns how to play the banjo.
The third musical critter is Rover Joe, an aging bloodhound. Rover Joe is owned by a very nervous hillbilly named Mean Floyd. One night, Mean Floyd succumbs to paranoia and is convinced there are ghosts in his home. "Ghosts are coming out of the ground! I can hear 'em breathing! There's a ghost!" When Mean Floyd finds out the supposed ghost is none other than Rover Joe, he becomes furious and throws the poor dog out the window, causing the glass to shatter. Leroy and T.R. find Rover Joe and take him under their wing. Rover Joe learns how to play the trombone.
The last is Catgut, a pretty female cat with long lashes with a raspy voice much like Carol Channing. Catgut was owned by a crotchety elderly man Caleb Stiles who lives in a big house. When Catgut refuses to kill the rats in the pantry, Caleb tosses her out of his home.
Catgut joins the band and becomes the trumpet player.
But then the four animals run into their owners again........what will happen? I'll let you see. Trust me, this is a great film! You will love it even if you are an adult like me!
One more lost to the winds of time
lgrosfield11 October 2004
I was saddened but not surprised to find that this film is not available any more.It seems like the favourite things from my life are slowly being eliminated. Besides foods disappearing from restaurant menus and store shelves, certain fondly-remembered movies are drawing blank stares from so-called movie experts. Meanwhile, garbage flicks fill the shelves, and the local cineplex. Some movies are more than just a film...they are a harbinger and a beacon. Here is a perfect example: "The Muppet Musicians of Bremen" is a film that opened the door for modern block-buster such as "Shrek" and "Toy Story". It proved that a format labeled as "kids-stuff" could delight and entertain people of all ages, simply by treating the subject AND the audience with respect. If you EVER get a chance to see this, drop your work, your lunch or your baby (well, maybe not THAT one), and rush to the screen. You will laugh, you will feel a little choked up, and you will never forget these Muppets.
Jim Henson lives on, through works like these!
Jim Henson lives on, through works like these!
a different perspective
Scott_E_Mantooth23 June 2009
Warning: Spoilers
This might be an odd review for a film (or video)but I have only heard the recording of this particular Muppet feature. My brother who was blind really enjoyed this one because the voice acting was so funny and fit the animals personality and the insturments they wound up playing. Even the less than savory humans (they were theifs) had good voices for bad people. The critters in question are Leroy (the mule) T.R. (the Rooster) Rover Joe (the Hound dog) and Catgut (the lady cat). Each one is old and mistreated by their owners. A chance theft of musical insturments by Leroys owner, starts the story out. He (Leroy's owner) is mad that Leroy is too old and slow to steal anything worth having and throws a tuba at the mule that lands around his neck (an interesting picture to be sure). Leroy, having had enough of the farmer runs off with the tuba around his neck and still attached to the cart (which is important to the story later on). As he is walking down the trail feeling sorry for himself he trys out the tuba and finds, after a few false starts that he plays it pretty good (for a mule). He soon meets T.R. the rooster who is also running away from a farmer who wants to convert the rooster into gravy and gnaw on his knee bone (from the song he sings moments later) He aquires a banjo from Leroy, and after a narrow escape from the farm (for T.R) they both set out down the road and find Rover Joe whose owner (also a thief) has thrown him out for not scaring off the ghosts that he is convinced are out to get him. Rover Joe also joins the others and picks up trombone and finds he is quite good at it. The last critter that joins is Catgut. She is seen by the others before she speaks and they remark "It's a lady cat and she's dead" to which Catgut remarks "No, I ani't" Which is followed by one of the funniest lines I have ever heared and still use for ridiculous situations. Rover Joe comments "You ain't?! You sure look like a lady cat" (What could be more understated than that?) Well, naturally Catgut joins the trio and transforms it into a quartet. I don't recall exactly what Catgut winds up with its either a harmonica or violin but either way she plays it well. The critters wind up later in a dark and spooky swamp and are a bit depressed about not having any food place to sleep. They eventually come across a house which they are convinced is the home of a loving family but is in reality the hideout for all their previous owners who meet there to split up the loot they have acquired by nafarious means. As the animals spin a fanciful tale of a loving father, mother, daugther and son amongst themselves, the theifs are arguing about Leroy's owners story about his donkey stealing the loot from the previous days work. To the animals the shadows on the windows represent everything they could hope for and decide to surprise the "family" with a song. To the previous owners sounds that they hear represent SAWMP DEMONS and they run off into the swamp and are never seen again. The critters decide to stay and take care of the house until their family returns.
Like I said, this is from the record of this show. It's still very good, and funny. But my perspective is a bit different than most.
If I could find this on DVD I would be very happy
Like I said, this is from the record of this show. It's still very good, and funny. But my perspective is a bit different than most.
If I could find this on DVD I would be very happy
Muppet mayhem meets fairytale fantasy
sun_hill_857 August 2003
Warning: Spoilers
(Possible plot spoilers)
The popular fairytale "The Musicians of Bremen" is immortalised in the form of a short Muppet movie, and you've got "The Muppet Musicians of Bremen".
I laughed and sang all the way through (especially during T.R.'s song "The Cock-a-doodle-doodle-doodle-doo-dle Blues"); I just had an absolute ball.
The "human-sized" characters are very funny (Old Man Lardpork really cracked me up), as are the four animal stars (i.e. Leroy the donkey, T.R. the rooster, Rover Joe the dog, and Catgut).
I think the highlight of "Muppet Musicians of Bremen" was the final battle scene between the robbers and the animals, especially when the so-called "Swamp Demons" appeared at the end.
Out of 5 stars, I give this a 5.
The popular fairytale "The Musicians of Bremen" is immortalised in the form of a short Muppet movie, and you've got "The Muppet Musicians of Bremen".
I laughed and sang all the way through (especially during T.R.'s song "The Cock-a-doodle-doodle-doodle-doo-dle Blues"); I just had an absolute ball.
The "human-sized" characters are very funny (Old Man Lardpork really cracked me up), as are the four animal stars (i.e. Leroy the donkey, T.R. the rooster, Rover Joe the dog, and Catgut).
I think the highlight of "Muppet Musicians of Bremen" was the final battle scene between the robbers and the animals, especially when the so-called "Swamp Demons" appeared at the end.
Out of 5 stars, I give this a 5.
Amazing puppetry...pre -"Muppet Show" and "Muppet Movie"v
planktonrules7 March 2021
I noticed that one of the other reviewers for this Jim Henson special said they wish that you could buy this. Well, I couldn't find it for sale either, though it is currently posted on YouTube. The downside is that there are no captions and the print is pretty blurry. But, it is a neat old show....and I'll take what I can get!
I looked for this show because I remember loving it as a kid...and was curious if it's as good as I remembered it. Is it worth seeing?
Well, the show begins with Kermit narrating and introducing the characters. I think this was wise, as it begins at the end...and younger kids will know because of this that the animals will all be fine. This is important because the humans in the show are very frightening....and for young kids they would be terrified if they thought the animals might die...as the humans DO threaten to kill them or mistreat them!
The story is about four unwanted farm animals, a donkey, a rooster, a cat and a dog. The four hate their lives on the farm and as they meet up, they decide to join up and head to the big city to make their fortune singing. However, their plans turn out a bit different than they expected...and they have to deal with some very nasty people in the meantime.
The puppetry in this one is amazingly good. I didn't think that Jim Henson and his muppeteers did such complicated creatures back in 1972. Long before audiences were wowed by seeing Kermit and Miss Piggy riding bicycles in "The Great Muppet Caper", you see an entire walking, talking donkey! You also have some amazing 'humans'....enormous costumes of very well made muppet magic. You just have to see all this to take in how well made and beautiful it all is.
So what did I think of the show now that I am a heck of a lot older? Well, I thought occasionally the songs were a bit too long and too often. Also, the story a bit scary for very young kids (at 8, I loved it...I am talking younger...perhaps 2-5). I warn you, the humans in this are pretty cruel and awful! So, you might just want to watch this with them and keep reassuring them that everyone will be okay...which, of course, they will. A truly unusual and beautiful show....as pretty as anything the Muppets ever made...and one that really SHOULD be on DVD or, perhaps, on Disney+.
I looked for this show because I remember loving it as a kid...and was curious if it's as good as I remembered it. Is it worth seeing?
Well, the show begins with Kermit narrating and introducing the characters. I think this was wise, as it begins at the end...and younger kids will know because of this that the animals will all be fine. This is important because the humans in the show are very frightening....and for young kids they would be terrified if they thought the animals might die...as the humans DO threaten to kill them or mistreat them!
The story is about four unwanted farm animals, a donkey, a rooster, a cat and a dog. The four hate their lives on the farm and as they meet up, they decide to join up and head to the big city to make their fortune singing. However, their plans turn out a bit different than they expected...and they have to deal with some very nasty people in the meantime.
The puppetry in this one is amazingly good. I didn't think that Jim Henson and his muppeteers did such complicated creatures back in 1972. Long before audiences were wowed by seeing Kermit and Miss Piggy riding bicycles in "The Great Muppet Caper", you see an entire walking, talking donkey! You also have some amazing 'humans'....enormous costumes of very well made muppet magic. You just have to see all this to take in how well made and beautiful it all is.
So what did I think of the show now that I am a heck of a lot older? Well, I thought occasionally the songs were a bit too long and too often. Also, the story a bit scary for very young kids (at 8, I loved it...I am talking younger...perhaps 2-5). I warn you, the humans in this are pretty cruel and awful! So, you might just want to watch this with them and keep reassuring them that everyone will be okay...which, of course, they will. A truly unusual and beautiful show....as pretty as anything the Muppets ever made...and one that really SHOULD be on DVD or, perhaps, on Disney+.
Disney has a goldmine it's not taking advantage of....
wolfmanjaq-215 February 2021
It wasn't that bad.
dootuss7 February 2002
I felt very compelled to reading the first commentary about this Muppet special. While it wasn't as good as the other "Tales from Muppetland" specials, it was pretty good. It had puppeteering, full body characters, and something I never noticed on any Muppet program marionettes. Maybe I saw it before somewhere, I don't know. But still, this was a great special.
Never Catches the Usual Henson 'Spark'
Hotoil11 March 2001
Everything seems a bit off in this one. The puppetry is an innovative blend of hand puppets, full-body costumes and marionettes, but the presentation is just too bland to stand alongside other more impressive 'Tales from Muppetland' specials.
Everything is just a bit muddy and off, even Kermit seems a little odd here (although I love his little dance at the beginning).
Never liked this one as a kid, thought I might have a newfound appreciation for it now as a Muppet fan and all, but no dice. I found myself bored and disappointed. Check out Henson's much better Muppet fairy tale specials from this era, like "Hey, Cinderella" or the masterpiece "Frog Prince". "Musicians of Bremen" however, probably won't hold the attention of you or your child very well.
Everything is just a bit muddy and off, even Kermit seems a little odd here (although I love his little dance at the beginning).
Never liked this one as a kid, thought I might have a newfound appreciation for it now as a Muppet fan and all, but no dice. I found myself bored and disappointed. Check out Henson's much better Muppet fairy tale specials from this era, like "Hey, Cinderella" or the masterpiece "Frog Prince". "Musicians of Bremen" however, probably won't hold the attention of you or your child very well.
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