Though The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh was released in 1977, it is actually a collection of three shorts that had been previously released in theatres. Since A.A. Milne's Pooh books were not well known in North America, Walt Disney decided they should introduce the character in a series of shorts and then compile them into one whole which "audiences [would] love". Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree was released in 1966, Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day in 1968, and Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too in 1974.
The animation in this film is near perfect. It is simple and beautiful, the perfect match for the source material. The character animation is wonderful as well, capturing each personality remarkably and imbuing them with a sense of life that has allowed the characters to live on far outside the film. In addition to the often wry humour, the best element of the film is the way in which the animated characters are made to interact with the typeface of the book in which they are living. Not only does it serve as a clever visual distinguisher and allows for some interesting gags, it also helps to tie the film back to the world of the books which spawned it.
This is a fantastic film which absolutely holds up. There is really no reason not to watch it. It's funny, endearing, and entertaining, regardless what age you are. If you have somehow managed to not see it yet, you owe it to yourself to remedy that. Even if you have seen it before, watch it and experience it again. You'll be glad that you did.
Up next: The Rescuers (1977)
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