Peter Pan
Director: Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske
Cast: Bobby Driscoll, Kathryn Beaumont, Hans Conried, Paul Collins, Tommy Luske
Inspired by J.M Barrie’s classic story, Disney’s 14th animated masterpiece, Peter Pan, brings to life the story of Peter Pan, the boy who wouldn’t grow up, as he takes Wendy and her brothers on a magical journey to Neverland where they meet some unforgettable characters and battle the malevolent Captain Hook.
One of the things that makes Peter Pan unique from other Disney films is that the story illustrates a connection that is rarely portrayed in the Disney animated canon – the relationship between mother and child. In this particular instance, the bond is shared between Wendy Darling and Peter Pan and also Wendy and her brothers, John and Michael and the Lost Boys of Neverland. When Peter comes to the children’s nursery to retrieve his stolen shadow, Wendy sews it back on for him. His motive for taking Wendy to Neverland (apart from his not wanting Wendy to grow up) is so that she could be the mother to Peter and the Lost Boys and tell them stories. Ironically, it is Wendy’s heartfelt lullaby to the children illustrating the essence of maternal love that compels the children to leave Neverland and return home to their true mother.
Growing up is a strong symbolic theme in Peter Pan. While it is inevitable that all children grow up and leave childhood behind, the connection shared between Peter Pan and Wendy is that neither of them wants to relinquish their hold on childhood. Peter Pan is the quintessential child whose resounding mantra is to never grow up. Wendy’s father, Mr. Darling, tells her (in not so many words) that she must grow up when he becomes frustrated with her for telling her brothers stories. When Peter Pan learns that Wendy is being forced to cast aside her childhood, he whisks her off to Neverland so that she won’t have to grow up. While Wendy is in Neverland, she realizes that in some ways, she truly is ready to return home and leave childhood behind. When she returns home, she and her father heal their relationship and he tells her that she may remain in the nursery with her brothers.
The strength of Disney’s version of Peter Pan focuses on the elements which make the film unique. First, the animated style of the film creates, for the first time since the story’s inception, an alternative which truly allows for Tinker Bell’s pixie dust to be the means which allows Peter and the Darling children, Wendy, John, and Michael, the ability to fly. The Disney retelling of Peter Pan is also the first which brings life to the mischievous character of Tinker Bell. While in the stage versions of the story, Tinker Bell is merely a flickering light that darts around the stage; the Disney version portrays Tinker Bell as a fully realized character, full of her own unique essence of sassy insecurity and an unabashed jealousy towards Wendy in regards to her friendship/romance with Peter.
Peter Pan has always been an exceptional in the Disney canon, not only because of the stunning and vibrant animation and memorable characters but because the essence of the story is truly unique. The casting is excellent; particularly in the case of Hans Conried who breathes life into Mr. Darling and the villainous Captain Hook and the music is both heartwarming and timeless. I would highly recommend this film to anyone who loves Disney at its best.
© 2013 – 2016 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.
Director: Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske
Cast: Bobby Driscoll, Kathryn Beaumont, Hans Conried, Paul Collins, Tommy Luske
Inspired by J.M Barrie’s classic story, Disney’s 14th animated masterpiece, Peter Pan, brings to life the story of Peter Pan, the boy who wouldn’t grow up, as he takes Wendy and her brothers on a magical journey to Neverland where they meet some unforgettable characters and battle the malevolent Captain Hook.
One of the things that makes Peter Pan unique from other Disney films is that the story illustrates a connection that is rarely portrayed in the Disney animated canon – the relationship between mother and child. In this particular instance, the bond is shared between Wendy Darling and Peter Pan and also Wendy and her brothers, John and Michael and the Lost Boys of Neverland. When Peter comes to the children’s nursery to retrieve his stolen shadow, Wendy sews it back on for him. His motive for taking Wendy to Neverland (apart from his not wanting Wendy to grow up) is so that she could be the mother to Peter and the Lost Boys and tell them stories. Ironically, it is Wendy’s heartfelt lullaby to the children illustrating the essence of maternal love that compels the children to leave Neverland and return home to their true mother.
Growing up is a strong symbolic theme in Peter Pan. While it is inevitable that all children grow up and leave childhood behind, the connection shared between Peter Pan and Wendy is that neither of them wants to relinquish their hold on childhood. Peter Pan is the quintessential child whose resounding mantra is to never grow up. Wendy’s father, Mr. Darling, tells her (in not so many words) that she must grow up when he becomes frustrated with her for telling her brothers stories. When Peter Pan learns that Wendy is being forced to cast aside her childhood, he whisks her off to Neverland so that she won’t have to grow up. While Wendy is in Neverland, she realizes that in some ways, she truly is ready to return home and leave childhood behind. When she returns home, she and her father heal their relationship and he tells her that she may remain in the nursery with her brothers.
The strength of Disney’s version of Peter Pan focuses on the elements which make the film unique. First, the animated style of the film creates, for the first time since the story’s inception, an alternative which truly allows for Tinker Bell’s pixie dust to be the means which allows Peter and the Darling children, Wendy, John, and Michael, the ability to fly. The Disney retelling of Peter Pan is also the first which brings life to the mischievous character of Tinker Bell. While in the stage versions of the story, Tinker Bell is merely a flickering light that darts around the stage; the Disney version portrays Tinker Bell as a fully realized character, full of her own unique essence of sassy insecurity and an unabashed jealousy towards Wendy in regards to her friendship/romance with Peter.
Peter Pan has always been an exceptional in the Disney canon, not only because of the stunning and vibrant animation and memorable characters but because the essence of the story is truly unique. The casting is excellent; particularly in the case of Hans Conried who breathes life into Mr. Darling and the villainous Captain Hook and the music is both heartwarming and timeless. I would highly recommend this film to anyone who loves Disney at its best.
© 2013 – 2016 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.