Walt Disney's Song of the South Movie Review
Ranked #11,090 in Entertainment, #135,759 overall
What's The Mystery Behind Song of the South?
The boy goes to the plantation that his grandmother owns and it is there that he meets his story-telling uncle. His uncle tells stories about three well-known Disney characters: Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox and Brer Bear.
Song of the South was Disney's FIRST live-action movie and since animation was Disney's strong suit at that time, it was felt that some portions of the movie should be animated. From this perspective, people consider the movie interesting and well done.
Also noteworthy is the fact that the music in Song of the South features some very popular, very good Disney music. Nominated for Best Scoring of a Musical Picture, it won an Oscar for Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah and an honorary Oscar for James Baskett, who played the uncle.
Finally, and most importantly, is the issue of racism. Song of the South was a product of its time and is, therefore, racist. Concerns regarding racism is reportedly WHY Disney has not reissued Song of the South. It depicts black people in the post-Civil War South in a manner considered offensive.
All of these factors add up to a movie that is in demand and one that is, despite having been reissued in 1956, 1972, 1980 and 1986, somewhat expensive. It has never been released on DVD and, therefore, demand for the existing stock of VHS videotapes drives the price up on those that are available. If you want to watch Song of the South now, you will have to watch on VHS videotape and you will have to pay a premium to do so.
On this page, learn more about Song of the South, watch the movie trailer, discover a bit more about the controversy and find out how you can go about watching it. I will admit to being curious. Are you?
Fast Facts
- ACTORS: Ruth Warrick, Bobby Driscoll, James Baskett, Luana Patten, Lucile Watson
- DIRECTORS: Wilfred Jackson, Harve Foster
- STUDIO: Walt Disney
- ORIGINAL RELEASE DATE: November 12, 1946
- RATED: G (General Audience)
- RUN TIME: 94 minutes
Have YOU Seen Song of the South?
Discussion Of Song of the South By Experts (and Non-Experts, too)
- Disney and Race by Trueslant.com
"The NAACP has said the film gives the impression of 'an idyllic master-slave relationship.' Song of the South was made at a curious time in our nation's long struggle with race - almost 100 years since slavery was abolished, but still well before the Civil Rights Movement."- Disney Ponders Re-issue of Classic "Song of the South" by Seattle Times Newspaper
"Christian Willis, a 26-year-old information-technology administrator in San Juan Capistrano, California, started a Song of the South fan site in 1999. He doesn't think the movie is racist, just from a different time. Stereotypes did exist on the screen. But if you look at other films of that time period, I think 'Song of the South' was really quite tame in that regard. I think Disney did make an effort to show African Americans in a more positive light."- Roger Ebert's Opinion On Whether or Not Song of the South Should Be Reissued
"Disney has made a corporate decision to hold Song of the South from release because of its stereotyping of some of the African-American characters, and I have expressed sympathy with that position because the film is directed primarily toward children who see films literally. I would not want to be an African-American child at a screening of the film, but I would support its screening for mature audiences."
Amazon Customer Star Ratings of Song of the South
I am not sure that I have ever seen such a glowing recommendation for a movie as shown in these star ratings or written reviews...
"When I viewed Song of the South, I couldn't understand why Disney has caved in to social pressure over the 'offensive' content. The whole movie overflows with warmth and happiness and understanding, and if the Old South setting bothers some, they need to get over it. History is history, and to deny the positive message of this touching happy film is just tragic. The animation is UN-believable in how the characters mix in with the live-action! The song "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" is a classic, and the characters of Uncle Remus, Brer Bear, Brer Fox, and Brer Rabbit deserve to be discovered by a new generation!" ~ Charles M. Cornell
Like everyone else mentioned in previous reviews, I grew up with Uncle Remus. I remember the wise lessons Uncle Remus taught through Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox and Brer Bear. It had been 25 years since I first saw the movie and was fortunate to obtain a converted copy.
What I saw was a wonderful wise old man who loved children. I saw a small, frightened boy who came to love Uncle Remus.
What I failed to see were racist remarks or portrayals. Slavery was part of our history. It was wrong. What Disney beautifully portrayed was a rich, white boy who called slaves and a share cropper's daughter his friends while purposely avoiding the other rich white little children invited to his birthday party.
Since when is it considered racist to have children of different races and economic backgrounds holding hands and playing peacefully together? Wasn't that Dr. King's dream?
Please bring back Song of the South and allow future generations to find their "Laughing Place." ~ Karol Colbert
"Some critics argue that this movie is racist and even the current CEO of Disney called this movie fairly offensive. I see it like it is. It is a movie that portrays a period of history that involved slavery and the culture that comes with it." ~ Robert G. Ernst
Do you think Disney should reissue Song of the South?
Despite being extremely curious about Song of the South, I am not sure that it should be reissued. I find Roger Ebert's quote particularly thought provoking:
"Disney has made a corporate decision to hold "Song of the South" from release because of its stereotyping of some of the African-American characters, and I have expressed sympathy with that position because the film is directed primarily toward children who see films literally. I would not want to be an African-American child at a screening of the film, but I would support its screening for mature audiences."
I agree with what he says even though I have not seen the movie. However, knowing that many parents do not worry about what they show their children and that even movie theatres sell tickets to children who are under the recommended age, I do not believe that is possible to control who sees any movie. This brings us right back to the question at hand. Should Song of the South be reissued?
Do you think Disney should reissue Song of the South?
Yes...
SB_UK says:
Yess! release it on dvd! its clearly a well liked film by many people, people who dont like it.. dont buy it!
pads says:
to not have this kind of thing in the public domain is surely oppression?
Jewish people realise that lessons can be learned if things are shown about the holocaust and how things were then, but to not show how things were in america many years ago is denial? how will people ever find out about it?
Bill Culverwell says:
Unequivocally yes.
Susan Freeckmann says:
very strong YES!!!
Theodore says:
there is no doubt that Song of the South should be reissued, but, to be honest, I'm not sure whether the USA is already mature enough for that. I don't think that it is so bad for a Black child to see, altough there is a bit of stereotyping, all the really scary things happen to white folks.
---Chazz says:
It should not be rated "G" for reasons given above, but it could be a valuable teaching tool if situated in historical context. Perhaps it should be re-issued with a discussion preceding it to do that. I could see Cornell West or Henry Louis Gates Jr putting it in a proper context as part of the dvd.
darciefrench says:
If the public demands- for sure.
LakeMom says:
My husband has been looking forward to the re-release of this movie forever! I have never seen it, but the above descriptions seem to justify releasing it. "Gone with the Wind" is still shown on TV and DVD. There are slaves portrayed in that movie - in fact Ms. Scarlett was a little cruel in the beginning to them.
Joan4 says:
absolutely yes! How sad for children to miss out on the joys of this movie.
Susan52 says:
It seems to me that not reissuing Song of the South is a politically correct decision. I'd have to watch it again before I could say absolutely for sure, but it's hard for me to believe that a young child of any color wouldn't just simply enjoy this movie for it fun and wonderful music.
No...
NYtoSCimjustme says:
Yes, the good lessons far outweigh any bad, it promoted white/black relationships that include love more than any submissive roles the blacks had to play except for a few comments here and there - slavery is history, when will the black population as a whole finally accept that and enjoy the benefits and equality they have achieved without using the 'race card' at every opportunity? There is a black man in the White House - doesn't that say it all?
Order Your Copy of Song of the South
Meet James Baskett: The Actor Who Brought Uncle Remus To Life
Walt Disney's Uncle Remus Movie Soundtrack
Music from the original soundtrack of Song of the South, containing all of the songs from the movie including Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah.
Is Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah one of your favorite Disney songs?
I remember Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah well and can sing along to the lyrics.
"Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
My, oh, my what a wonderful day
Plenty of sunshine heading my way
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
Mr. Bluebird's on my shoulder
It's the truth, it's actual
Everything is satisfactual
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
Wonderful feeling, wonderful day."
Song of the South on Twitter
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- fortner71
- Song of the south reminds me of high school basketball tailgates @NurseRollins4
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- 949NowPlaying
- Song Of The South by Alabama #nowplaying
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- ScruggsGa
- @NickBillman #np song of the south- Alabama
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- METQQ
- @MadLew @Etruths @camprincess @spencerericr @jakepentland #nameyourpoopwithamovietitle Song of the South
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- PixieAngelo
- "Song of the South" is about as offensive as "Driving Miss Daisy". We own a copy, come watch it with us. We'll make popcorn.
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Blu-ray Movie Treasures By Brenda, The Blog
My movies blog is the place where I share my love of great and, sometimes, not-so-great movies and films. I would love it if you joined in the discussions by offering your opinion about the best movies, the movie-of-the-day, the last movie you saw or, if you are the silent type, simply following along! Come on and join the fun! I'll look forward to seeing you at the movies!Find my blog at: Blu-ray Movie Treasures By Brenda. Or visit any of these recent posts:
So. That's The Story. What Do You Think of Song of the South?
Is it a movie you would like to see? Should it be reissued? Or maybe you have seen it? Would you recommend it? What about the racism? Should we ban this movie because of it? Here's YOUR turn:
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javrsmith
Apr 18, 2011 @ 8:28 pm | delete
- I think that Song of the South should be reissued.
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awelldressedbullet
Feb 1, 2011 @ 1:40 pm | delete
- Hi Brenda, congratulations on your Purple Star!
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NYtoSCimjustme
Jan 29, 2011 @ 9:00 am | delete
- I saw this movie in the theater when I was about 7 - close to 40 years ago, I loved it, it made me more accepting of the few black children that were in my school, and I never thought any differently about color - they were just people just like us. The lessons, the music, the vibrant story just proved that love crossed the boundary of color back then just as it does today. Sure wish I could bring it back to let my children see it too.
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Joan4
Jan 29, 2011 @ 7:10 am | delete
- I will be ordering a copy for our grandchildren. in VHS. Our children loved this movie. I don't think kids see racism in it.
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Susan52
Jan 28, 2011 @ 2:20 pm | delete
- I'm fairly sure I saw this movie a very long time ago, but I don't really remember it except for the music. I know the words too, Brenda, and will likely be singing Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah the rest of the day! I think that oftentimes people, adults, "protect" children from things that would in no way hurt them but, instead, would simply entertain them. If the race issue came up, then a family discussion about how life was in the 1940s (when the movie was made) would be in order. Again, I'd have to watch it for sure to decide if my instincts are wrong, but I really do suspect the controversy lies in the PC arena, which I would love to see burn down for the good of us all.
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by Treasures-By-Brenda
Walt Disney's Song of the South is a much sought after movie and one that is frequently discussed among movie fanst. Read more...
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