 |
he animated story of two friends who didn't know they were supposed
to be enemies. Tod, an orphaned baby fox raised by Widow Tweed,
is best friends with Copper, a young hunting dog. When they grow
up, Copper learns to hunt and discovers he must pursue his friend.
Tod is taken to a game preserve for safety, and there he falls
in love with Vixey, a beautiful female fox. Copper and his master
hunt Tod in the preserve, but when the chips are down, Tod and
Copper realize that their friendship overcomes all.
|
 |

The feature film marked the premiere effort of a new generation
of Disney animators who would, in a few years, create "The Little
Mermaid" and "Beauty and the Beast." With the exception
of some early scenes and character development done by veteran
animators Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston, and Cliff Nordberg, this
film represented the combined talent and imagination of a new
team. Production on "The Fox and the Hound" began in the
spring of 1977, but it was delayed by the defection from the animation
department of Don Bluth, Gary Goldman, John Pomeroy, and an additional
group of animators who were unhappy at the Disney Studio and eager
to set up their own studio and produce movies they felt
were more in line with the style and quality of movies that Disney
used to make in its golden years. By the time "The Fox and the
Hound " was finished, four years later, it required approximately
360,000 drawings, 110,000 painted cels, 1,100 painted backgrounds,
and a total of 180 people, including 24 animators. As in all Disney
animated outings, music served to accentuate the action, highlight
the humor, and, in general, enhance the story.
|