Horton Hears a Who! (1970)
In this story, Horton discovers there is a microscopic community of intelligent beings called the Who's living on a plant that only he can hear. Recognising the dangers they face, he resolves to keep them safe. However, the other animals around him think Horton has gone crazy thinking that there are such beings.
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Too much of everything
Simply Perfect
One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.
The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.
An elephant named Horton tries to protect a microscopic community of "Whos" from his interfering neighbors who think it's all in his mind. Another wonderful Dr. Seuss tale brought to life by the great Chuck Jones. This isn't quite on the level of How the Grinch Stole Christmas (which was perfection), but it is very enjoyable in its own right. It's written, of course, by Dr. Seuss (including the song lyrics). His words are what makes his stories so timeless. Like many of you, I grew up reading his books and being enchanted with them. This is a simple story on one level but, as always with Seuss, you can peel back the layers and see how much more there is to it than it seems at first. Solid voice work from Hans Conried and June Foray. The animation is great and the music pleasant. Definitely one you'll want to check out if you're a Seuss fan. Just make sure you watch out for those Wickersham Brothers!
Dr Seuss' zippy rhymes brought generations of children together and this one, with its constant refrain 'a person's a person, no matter how small' is no exception.Beautifully animated, this tale of Horton the friendly elephant takes a step on from the 1940s Merrie Melodie 'Horton Hatches The Egg' and has just as much charm. Horton, a slightly dim but kindly elephant, hears a whole colony of 'Whos' who live in a dust speck housed on a clover head, and seeks to keep them safe from doubters who wish to do them and him harm.Memorable, funny, with bright colours and well-shaped characters such as Jane Kangaroo and the Doctor of Whoville himself, 'Horton Hears A Who' is probably the best of the Dr Seuss films.
Horton the Elephant (amiably voiced by Hans Conried) discovers a microscopic community called Whoville living in a speck of dust. Alas, Horton can't convince the other skeptical animals in the jungle that Whoville really exists. The second TV special team-up by master animator Chuck Jones and renowned children's book author Dr. Seuss (the first was the terrific yuletide classic "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"), this program offers a great deal of infectiously offbeat and imaginative fun for the whole family. The catchy rhymes, the bright, colorful animation, Eugene Poddany's jaunty, merry score, the charming songs, the engagingly quirky characters, the constant zippy pace, the warm, upbeat tone, the heartening conclusion, a strong moral about the power of free speech and democracy, and the nice central message about how there's much more to life than just the obvious and what you already know all make this tale an absolute joy to watch. Moreover, Conried makes for a pleasingly folksy narrator, June Foray does double duty as the haughty Jane Kangaroo and the adorable Cindy Lou Who, and Thurl Ravenscroft lends his great rumbling deep voice as one of the evil singing gorilla Wickersham Brothers. A real treat.
Horton Hears a Who teaches us one of the most important lessons of democracy. We all have to speak up--even the smallest voice--in order to prevent injustice. Every voice, like every vote, counts. This should be required viewing (and reading) for children of all ages learning about the responsibilities of free speech and democracy.