Song of the South

Released in 1946, Song Of The South, if it is remembered at all, is remembered for it’s colorful and entertaining animated interstitial’s. Unfortunately, subsequent generations have become familiar with the films animated characters like Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox because of the widely popular Splash Mountain attraction at Disneyland & Walt Disney World. Not because of the film that actually inspired the attraction. Which truly sad given the historical importance of the film. “Song Of The South” was the Walt Disney Studio’s very first foray in to live action film. Many of the familiar styles and themes that would be found in Disney’s most acclaimed live action films, have their origins here. The film was, by the standards of the day, a blockbuster hit. Making 65 million dollars during it’s initial release. In fact, when the film was released it was viewed as incredibly progressive, portraying African American characters as equals to their Caucasian counterparts in a way that Hollywood had never dared before. The film went on to become a favorite of generations of fans. In 1986 the film was re-released to theaters and on home video. At this point, 40 years after the films initial release, A lot of controversy began to swirl around the film. As time had progressed and American society’s attitudes towards race had become more tolerant and more inclusive, the film began to take on an air of racial insensitivity that was never intended, and was in fact the antithesis of the …
Video Rating: 4 / 5