The Fox and the Hound
1981
In this world, there are three things that can make me cry. One I will not discuss, ever. Another is Charlotte’s Web, probably the saddest movie to exist, or that will ever exist. The second saddest is The Fox and the Hound, the third thing that reduces me to a sobbing bucket of tears.
If you’ve ever seen this movie, you’d understand. From the minute it begins to the second it ends, it’s depressing. When a movie starts out with a mother fox being shot by an evil hunter, you know you’re in for a downer.
Watching a young fox’s reaction to his other dying is just heart wrenching. Fortunately for this baby fox, a kind old woman takes him in, and raises him just like a pet. She names him Tod, because he acts like a toddler. Such a creative name.
Across the road, Amos, a hunter, but not really an evil one, brings home a new hound puppy named Copper. Amos tells Copper that he will one day grow up to be a mighty hunting aid. Amos leaves his other dog, Chief in charge of Copper, hoping he will teach him to be a good hound.
One day, Tod and Copper meet, and become instant best buddies, despite the fact they are naturally supposed to be enemies. But so what if society says they can’t be friends? It does’nt matter at all for them.
Until Amos finds out that is. When he sees Tod on his property, he attempts to kill him, and then threatens him with death if he ever comes back again. Which he does, of course. Death threats are not enough to keep best friends apart.
However, month long hunting trips are. Copper leaves with Amos and Chief for the winter to learn how to be a hound dog. Tod remains at home, waiting for the day his friend will come back. Big Mama, an owl, tries to tell Tod that Copper will come back a changed dog, but Tod refuses to listen to her.
Sadly he should have. Once he returns, Copper has grown into his role as a hound dog. He tells Tod that he still wants to be friends, but things are too different now. As they are talking, Amos awakes and finds Tod on his property. This leads into an intense chase, ending in near tragedy. Chief is struck be a train and falls of a bridge, nearly dying. Knowing it is Tod’s fault, Copper vows to never forget about this.
Amos also knows it’s Tod’d fault, and tells the widow he had been living with to get rid of him. Reluctantly, she releases him into a game preserve where he should be safe.
Should be, but isn’t necessarily. Tod takes a liking to the wilderness, as he has found a pretty vixen to spen
d his time with, named Vixey. The creativity in these names is almost unbearable! But his happiness is not here to stay, for Amos still wants his revenge, even if that means sneaking onto the preserve to finish off Tod. With him is Copper, and they eventually find Tod and Vixey, and another chase begins. This one ends in a bear attack. All the ruckus angers a HUGE ugly mean terrifying nasty devilish bear. Seriously, this thing still somewhat frightens me. With glowing red eyes and giant fangs, I’m sure he’d scare you a bit too.
Amos has the misfortune of stepping in one of his own hunting traps, leaving him helpless against the bear. Tod, still caring very much about Copper and his safety, steps in and fights off the bear, leading him off a cliff and down a waterfall. That takes care of the bear! Yay!
Tod brushes up on the shore of the lake, where Copper is able to find him. Amos comes by and thinks about shooting Tod, but Copper steps in the way. Amos lets Tod live, and takes Copper home. The end.
Sniffle. This movie is so freakin sad. The whole thing, from the death at the beginning to the final scene when Copper leaves Tod behind. Nearly nothing happy happens to whole time.
Yet, this is my second favorite Disney movie. I used to watch it almost daily, I adored it so much. Part of the reason is it’s quite adorable. Watching a baby fox and puppy play together would melt even the hardest of hearts.
Despite the fact the story is a little depressing, it still is endearing. It’s nice to have a children’s movie that doesn’t need to have a happy ending to still be wonderful. It’s sad, yes, but it’s also real. Well, real if you ignore the talking animals and such. Friendships sometimes do not last due to the changes of time. Somehow watching this movie makes that reality clearer, but not in a harsh sense. Whatever this film does, it does well, and I’ll always love it.
Movie Watching Budd(y)(ies): All my little siblings, who were as depressed as I was about this tale.
Best Song: “Best of Friends.” Aww, it’s so cute, and sweet, and yet, still sad. Basically, the whole movie's feel in one song.
Best Part: When Copper and Tod first begin to play together, it reminds me of my childhood, and how I wish I could be a kid again.
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