Janis P.
Walt Disney’s classic animated tale 101 Dalmatians has just been released on Blu-Ray, and our little family got to celebrate in style with a special screening at the Soho Hotel, thanks to those lovely folk over at Disney HQ. read on to find out what we thought of the film!
The fact that I’m a Disney fan is no secret, but often I’m so caught up with the feisty modern princesses that I forget about the other films that helped make Disney such a big part of our lives growing up… so I was really excited about my invitation to cosy up with my kids and some super cute Dalmatian puppies in one of Soho’s most beautiful screening rooms to watch the 1961 animated classic.
You all know the story, and no doubt you’ll remember both the animated version from when you were little… what a joy to watch. Cruella DeVil has got to be one of the best ‘baddies’ of all time, with her fabulous flowing furs and pointy cheekbones. Her bumbling henchmen Jasper and Horace were funnier than they were scary, so the little ones actually laughed rather than hiding behind their hands.
Pongo’s pet (owner) Roger, absorbed in his music and smoking pipe after pipe, is just fantastic. And the dogs, oh the dogs! They are just so real it’s unbelievable…
The animation has a wonderful sketchbook style to it, without any of the smooth lines or CGI or specialist fur animators we’re used to with modern animation. Yet somehow Pongo and Perdita and the 99 dalmatian puppies feel real and utterly adorable.
Just one word of warning… the film is from 1961, back before we went all health-conscious and PC, so there’s a whole lot of smoking going on (or “cigaretting” as my daughter likes to call it), and the continual use of the word “stupid” would make your school’s Headmistress cringe.modern animation. Yet somehow Pongo and Perdita and the 99 dalmatian puppies feel real and utterly adorable.
Walt Disney’s 101 Dalmatians is out now on Blu-Ray, so you can pick up a copy to enjoy on a Sunday afternoon. If you’ve seen it, leave a comment below telling us about your favourite bits!
