Movie Review - The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Director: Wolfgang Reitherman
Starring: Sebastian Cabot, Sterling Holloway, Paul Winchell
Year: 1977

I remember this movie fondly from my childhood and was glad to share it with my kids.  It's a film that has a lot of heart and brings me back to a time in my life that carries a ton of great memories.  And I know I'm not alone; Winnie the Pooh has that effect on people.  It's not that Milne's stories are the best of all time or anything, but there's something about Pooh that we can all relate to.  Or maybe it's more accurate to say that there's something about Christopher Robin that we can all relate to.  The joy our toys brought us in our youth, the knowledge that it can't last forever, the memories that we'll carry with us forever.  I guess that's the magic of Pooh.

This film is a collection of Pooh books & stories, crafted to flow together as one tale set in the Hundred Acre Wood.  The characters are classic and they pop up throughout the movie: Pooh, Piglet, Christopher, Rabbit, Owl, Kanga, Roo, Eeyore, Tigger.  Together they have many adventures, working together to solve their problems.  The first part of the film covers Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree, where Pooh gets himself in a variety of stick situations.  The second is Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day, when a storm comes to the Wood.  And the third tells the tale of Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too, introducing us to that energetic character.  The three sections combined form one wonderful story, chronicling the many adventures of one incredible bear.

Of course this is a pleasant & enjoyable movie, one that a lot of us saw when we were little and can still enjoy now that we're grown.  But the little details make it more than just a reminder of our childhood.  The quick jokes, sight gags, and comedic tumbles make it fun for adults as well as kids.  The voices of the characters are excellent, staying with you for years.  And the music is surprisingly wonderful.  Well, not so surprisingly when you see that it was done by the Sherman Brothers, the masters behind so many Disney musicals.  So all the parts of the movie blend together to create an unforgettable experience, one that you can replay any time you wish, whatever age you are.

My rating: ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰