This next film is pretty satisfactual. It provided the inspiration for one of my ALL-TIME favorite Disney theme park attractions: SPLASH MOUNTAIN! as well as containing one of my top favorite Disney songs. For this project, I’m focusing on the story itself, including dialogue, character development, any subplots, how a story presents itself, the speed at which it moves, if it slows down unnecessarily, etc.
Update: In February 2022, I started a video version of the DFP on Tiktok. You can find the video below. Thoughts expressed in the video may be different than what are expressed in the blog post, due to the time difference in posting.
A Brief Summary
Johnny and his mother go for a lengthy stay at his grandmother’s plantation while his father returns to Atlanta for work. While at the plantation, he meets Uncle Remus, a wise storyteller, who shares the tales of Br’er Rabbit, Br’er Bear, and Br’er Fox. Over time Johnny becomes friends with one of the local children, Ginny Favers, a sweet child with two terrors for brothers. When he is injured, he needs more than Uncle Remus’s tales to help him, he will need his family. Includes a puppy, a bluebird and a mean, old bull.
What works
- The opening credits for Song of the South had a storybook feel, not seen since Pinocchio, with each group of names on a different page before turning to an illustration that comes to life.
- Having Uncle Remus as the narrator sets the scene for the story even though he is not seen until after the introduction of Johnny and his family.
- I really like that the conflicts of the movie start off pretty quickly: the departure of Johnny’s dad and the separation of the family.
- Uncle Remus (James Baskett) is utter perfection as a storyteller/ human being. Flawless. Extraordinary. Sublime.
- Unlike several earlier films, this film moves at a slow, steady pace. I’m not saying that in a negative way, but more in a relaxed way, an ‘Uncle Remus’ way. Like the setting of the opening scene, the whole film could have been told next to the fire on a late night. Which I would sign up for, especially if James Baskett could be the one to tell the full story.
- The real life/ Uncle Remus similarities were really nice to see:
- Johnny was Br’er Rabbit (though nicer) since he was small and used his head instead of his feet to get him out of trouble.
- Ginny’s brothers were like Br’er Fox and Br’er Bear, even going so far as to have the taller of the two boys act slow and a follower like Br’er Bear.
- On a side note, having the shorter (and younger) brother be the leader, the criminal mastermind for all the mean tricks was so refreshing.
- It’s great having the different relationship dynamics in this film. Johnny with his mom, John and Sally, Sally and her mother, Uncle Remus with each person. It provides layers and color to the film, weaving it all together.
- Up to this point (in the Disney film catalog), Bambi and Dumbo still reign supreme as having the saddest moments. Song of the South follows up with the heartbreaking Uncle Remus scene where he tells Johnny he can’t tell stories anymore and that Johnny’s dog is gone.
- It was fascinating watching the mother, Sally, throughout the movie. Watching her struggle to maintain control, not that Johnny was really misbehaving, but because her life was falling apart with the absence of her husband. She was never the villain of the film, she just got lost in trying to do what was right and again, maintain control.
- Grandma Docia is a supporting character but she stood out with her dialogue and how she carried herself. She doesn’t hold for any nonsense but also is super reasonable.
- I find myself not expecting much from this film and that’s not a bad thing. It’s like a bedtime story. I’m not expecting complex characters or major conflicts. That being said, when such characters or conflicts exist, I enjoy it that much more. But for the most part, the story just kind of washes over me, smooth and steady.
- Having Remus and John switch places at the end. It brings to mind the endings of Nanny McPhee and Mary Poppins. Beautiful and touching. Slightly bittersweet in the moment but the proper ending takes care of that.
What May or May Not Work
- The plantation in Song of the South is portrayed as this safe haven for Johnny and his family. The slaves that work there (though they are never called slaves in the movie) are portrayed as helpful, pleasant, happy to serve. For the sake of the story and the story alone, I accept this portrayal, and I will explain why. This story, the center of Song of the South, is focused on the life of a child, Johnny. He is the hero, with Uncle Remus as the guide (looking towards Joseph Campbell’s Hero Cycle) and it is his journey that we are focused on in this film. The story and the film have a set time limit so any action, any choice about characters, setting, dialogue, has to either keep the story moving within the time limit or be taken out. That being said, the portrayal of the slaves is historically inaccurate. I am not saying the chosen portrayal was the correct choice to make. Could there have been a way that would have showcased a historically accurate portrayal and still told the story in a similar, way? Possibly. Probably. I don’t know.
Honorable Mentions
- Ginny’s brothers ruining her dress. The whooping I imagine they’re gonna get (not shown in the film).
- Tempy, aka Hattie McDaniel, is wonderful and I love her song (because it reminds me of Splash Mountain).
Side Questions
- Were John and Sally neighbors growing up? Is that how they met?
- What’s up with John’s job? He does something with newspapers and writing, so either as an editor or journalist but what specifically does he do? Is his job why they left to the plantation, to get out of Atlanta for Johnny’s safety?
- I feel so bad for Br’er Bear. He comes off as a villain, but it’s just that he’s always in the wrong place at the wrong time. He’s far too trusting. I wonder if Br’er Rabbit had been honest with him in the beginning, which side would he have ended up on?
- I especially feel bad for him during the laughing place scene because he just wants to go to the laughing place, poor guy.
- Did Uncle Remus go to Atlanta to get John and bring him back to the plantation?
What I learned from watching this film
- It was good to have a story told from the viewpoint of a child. With the protagonist being young, it changes how characters, settings and conflicts are perceived. I actually really liked the amount of depth Johnny had as a character. Rather than remaining a flat character, he grew throughout the movie, adapting to what was going on around him. It really showed some good character development that made Johnny that much stronger of a character.
If you’ve seen Song of the South, what did you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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