Ask someone to think of a Disney film and you can be assured of the titles you’ll get in reply. ‘The Lion King’, ‘Beauty and the Beast’, ‘101 Dalmatians’ and ‘Bambi’ are all familiar choices. And, if you take the kids to the Disneyland in the States they’ll see plenty of reminders of these movies. Even if you take a tour with the help of some Orlando Car hire your family will spot endless reference to Disney films that feature casts of anthropomorphic animals.
What you mightn’t know or realise is that Disney has produced over 200 films and many are live action with little, if any cute, talking animals in the cast. And while you are right that Disney does children’s films it is more accurate to say that they produce family films. Ever since their very first movie, ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarves’ back in 1937, Disney has made family films that promote positive ideals and emphasis on family and improving society. And they’ve also achieved this through live action films, not just their award winning animation.
In this following selection of films I’ve chosen those titles which you may be surprised to learn were made by Disney.
20,000 Leagues under the Sea
Based on Jules Verne’s classic of the same name, live the excitement and thrill of underwater peril aboard Captains Nemo’s Nautilus.
Greyfriars Bobby
Okay, so there is an animal in this but it doesn’t talk and it’s a real dog. This is based on the true story of a loyal Skye Terrier who remained by his master’s grave for fourteen years. It’s quite a tearjerker.
The Black Hole
This is one of Disney’s rare forays into science fiction. With a cracking theme by maestro John Barry this first Disney film to be rated PG instead of the usual U notable featured Maximilian Schell, Yvette Mimieux and Ernest Borgnine.
Condorman
This film unusually casts Michael Crawford as inventor/hero, Condorman. Henry ‘Pink Panther’ Mancini turns in a memorable theme, there is lots of action and adventure but with co-star, Oliver Reed; it seems resolutely non-Disney.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
This is my first and only film on the list which has a cartoon characters in it albeit mixed in with live action.
The Rocketeer
Starring a young Bill Campbell and Jennifer Connelly, ‘The Rocketeer’ is one of those pseudo-superhero films that should have got its own series.
Cool Runnings
Totally left field; ‘Cool Runnings’ is a brilliant feel good comedy based on true events and I still can’t believe it was made by Disney.
The Rookie
Described as a 2002 drama sports film directed by John Lee Hancock [this movie] is based on the true story of Jim Morris, who had a brief but famous Major League Baseball career. It starred Dennis Quaid, Rachel Griffiths and Brian Cox.
The Kid
This film has to have the honour of having one of the most annoying movie posters ever!
Around the World in Eighty Days
Jackie Chan plays sidekick, Passepartout, to an uncomfortable performance by lead, Steve Coogan as Phileas Fogg in this loose dramatisation of Jules Verne’s classic novel.
Guest Blogger, Greg Coltman, loves writing watching movies and writing about films for his blogs.
