Disney Classic/Modern Eras

[Mr. Semaj]

Since Walt Disney's death in 1966, there's been a bit of a blur as to whether the studio's canon of animated films between 1970 and 1981 are part of the classics or the modern era.

It could be argued that The Aristocats, Robin Hood, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, The Rescuers, and The Fox and the Hound are owned by the classic era, because the animating craft was specifically being carried by the remaining Nine Old Men, while they passed it on to the new school animators. The Black Cauldron is probably the first of the modern films, though it was in development long before the remaining Old Men departed the studio.

And even long after the management shake-up of the 1980's, some of the old-timers stayed on the job until the very end. Eric Larson left a short time before The Great Mouse Detective was released. John Hench completed the short, Destino a while before his death in 2004.

But the other arguement, for ultra-Disney purists is that the legitimate Disney film is a product that was made under Walt's watch, which would include anything up to The Jungle Book.

What are your views?

[Tom Stathes]

I would consider post-1966 productions as part of the modern era.

[Thad]

I guess I am part of the Walt purists because I thought "The Jungle Book" was the last true 'classic' feature. I don't really care much for the features that come after it at all, though "Aladdin" and "The Lion King" are really good.

[Tom Stathes]

My most recent favorite feature is LADY AND THE TRAMP. Even though I grew up with JUNGLE BOOK, ALADDIN, LION KING, etc I think the only modern feature I enjoyed was RESCUERS.

[MF TOON]

I definitely consider 'The Many Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh' to belong to the "classic" era of Disney Features because of Walt's involvement and strong hand in developing the shorts and stories, despite it being released after his death. Features like 'The Fox And The Hound', etc. are definitely part of the "modern" Disney cannon.