Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
With distinction the best and dearest Disney movie ever., 9 Mar 2003
Whenever I feel bad or have had an exhausting business day, there is nothing more consulating and fine for me than curling myself up on the sofa, sipping a cup of steaming chocolate with cream and - of course - to transfer myself into the magical world of little orphan Pete and his great, green, of-average-dragon-size friend Elliot.
This movie is, in my educated opinion (as Jim Dale alias „Dr. Terminus“ would definitely say), the best, loveliest and sweetest within the range of Disney's masterpieces.
The story about the value of friendship between human boy and fantasy animal is simple yet touching: orphan boy Pete, escaping from his „Would-be-family“ (the Gogan-Gang, always dirty and using a rude language, who has bought him for fifty dollars plus legals) that enforces him to work hard on their farm, makes friends with Elliot, the giant, green but sooooooo sweet and kind dragon. Together they make their way to Passamaquody, a small town, where people first are quite hostile against small Pete and his dragon. They hold him responsible for several accidents that happen (just because Elliot does not know that cement may be a problem if you step on it when it's still wet....great fun and laughter!). Desperate and feeling hated by the people of Passamaquody, Pete makes his way into a cave near the lighthouse. He is very angry at Elliot who is the cause of all what happened. Luckily, the lovely and beautiful lighthouse keeper, Nora (wonderful Helen Reddy!), finds Pete there and offers him to stay with her and her dad (the unforgettable Mickey Rooney who seemed to be a talented singer as well), and so he does. Of course, Nora does not believe that Elliot could be real. Actually no one does until he angrily breaks into the school where Pete is about to be hit on the bottom by his teacher, Ms. Taylor, for pulling her chair (in fact it was Elliot again!!!). At this particular moment, also a certain Dr. Terminus (great and very well-known actor Jim Dale from the „Carry on“-movies) who is nothing but a quack and make-belief-doctor selling make-belief-remedies becomes attentive to what is going on - wouldn't that be a profitable business selling dragon parts??? From that time on, he and his peculiar fellow Hoagy try to get hold of Pete's dragon. As Pete of course does and can not sell Elliot, the doc and his companion search for another way of finally owning him. They figure out a new murky plan when the mad Gogans come to town in search of their „possession“ Pete. Together the make up a hidious plan that does - luckily!!! - not work out in the end. Go, buy the tape and see for yourself how the story ends!
I particularly enjoy the great melodies and singing sequences of the film. They go into your ear so easily! Not to forget the wonderful, unique and ever so talented singer Helen Reddy as Nora and Mickey Rooney as her clumsy but likeable father.
This film is a treasure to be kept for years and generations to come - I have owned it for a long time myself now and still could not say that any other film I ever saw touched and moved me as much as this one did. A true delight for everybody!
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7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb, 8 Mar 2001
By A Customer
I watched this film as a child, and loved it.. So if you are looking for a film your kids will watch over and over get this! I still watch it myself.
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7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Mix of live-action and cartoon, for kids and musical-lovers., 16 May 2000
By A Customer
Whereas Mary Poppins had live characters appearing in an animated environment, the Disney Studios turned the tables in 1977 so that a cartoon dragon appeared in a live-action film.The plot is centred around nine-year-old orphan Pete and his imaginary dragon, who provides the poor lad with a degree of security to his lonely life, as he wanders from one town to another in the west coast of America at the turn of the 20th century. It isn't long before his dragon (invisible to all but Pete) starts causing mayhem in the village where Pete settles down with a friendly lighthouse keeper and her father (singing star Helen Reddy and a bearded Mickey Rooney). As you might expect, this is Apple Pie Disney at its most sugary, so although the film is not regarded as a classic nor does it enjoy the shape and polish of Bedknobs and Broomsticks, it is saved by some quite good songs, sung of course, by Helen Reddy. The locations and shots from the lighthouse are a big plus. However, the film will find its audience with the under-10s who will decide they want an Elliott the Dragon for themselves. On a technical note, the image is pin-sharp, and the soundtrack clean and detailed. It fills the frame; unfortunately, Disney have chosen to issue very few DVDs in a widescreen format. As a musical, it is useful to be able to access the songs via the keypad. "Brazzle Dazzle Day" and "There's Room For Everyone" show why Helen Reddy was chosen for the role. Without her, this film would be very little; as it is, she saves it from a syrupy grave.
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