This movie is set after the Civil War, and little Johnny and his parents are on their way to his
grandmother's plantation, where Johnny and his mother, Sally will stay while his father, John goes to
Atlanta for work.
Johnny isn't thrilled about his father leaving them at the plantation, and when
he runs away to find his father, he sees Uncle Remus telling his stories to the children.
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Uncle Remus forms an immediate bond with Johnny. He tells Johnny the story of "Brer Rabbitrunning
away" to teach Johnny how running away won't solve his problems.
Johnny also befriends a poor girl
named Ginny, who has two bullying brothers who make fun of them all the time. There's also Toby, the
little black boy who helps watch after Johnny and keep him out of trouble.
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Uncle Remus comes across as a kind and caring old black man with a heart as big as the world. He
continues sharing his stories about Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, and Brer Bear with the children. They really
learn from him important moral lessons, and they love to be with him. He teaches them true friendship,
right from wrong, and even how to find their very own "Laughing Place!"
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Johnny's mother decides they are spending too much time together and attempts to keep them apart.
When Uncle Remus decides to run away, Johnny sees him and tries to stop him. He cuts through a field
and is accidentally gored by a bull.
His parents and grandmother are by his bedside, but Johnny continues
to cry out for Uncle Remus. His grandmother fetches Uncle Remus and his parents reunite, which makes
the ending "Mighty Satisfactual."
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This movie won awards for the song "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" and including a special honorary Academy Award
to actor James Baskett~~for his able and heart-warming characterization of Uncle Remus, friend and story
teller to the children of the world~~
This film would not last long, however, as several groups came
forward saying the film was racist. Disney re-released the film in 1956, then pulled it again during
the turbulent Civil Rights Era of the 1960's. It would be released again in 1972, 1981, and in 1986 for
the fortieth anniversary celebration. The film has only been released on home video in various European
and Asain Countries. In March of 1998, "Song of the South" was deleted in Europe and is now almost impossible
to find. The Walt Disney Company has said, "There are no plans for the release of Song of the South."
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What a shame! I have seen this movie several (hundred) times. I am one of the fortunate ones to own
this film. I'm sorry, but I don't see the racism that's keeping this great classic from being released.
I see the love an old man has for children, and the love and friendship they return to him. I see
little boys thrilled to have new playmates and new adventures. I see children laughing and playing~together,
regardless of color. And in the end, I see Johnny's love for Uncle Remus, as does his family.
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This movie always leaves me with a warm and fuzzy feeling. It lets me see beyond color into the human
heart and really feel love, kindness, and trust. How sad, that year after year, the world can watch "Gone
with the wind" and "Roots", but we may never watch this classic with our loved ones.
I didn't see
any racism in this wonderful movie, but, then again, I wasn't looking!
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