American Film Institute, AFI, has selected the top ten animated movie films of all time. Disney movies occupy all ten spots. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is number one
The American Film Institute, (AFI) has released the names of their choices for top ten films in ten categories. The films were announced in a special television event on CBS Television Network, which aired on July 17, 2008. The film institute counted down the top ten of each category of film. This article contains the names of the top ten films in the animation category, as selected by AFI. Disney dominates the list, with the number one choice being Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Snow White is followed by Pinocchio, Bambi, The Lion King, Fantasia, Toy Story, Beauty and the Beast, Skrek, Cinderella and Finding Nemo. Following is a brief description of the winners.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Children's classic tale of a princess who is forced into rags as a scullery maid by her vain and jealous stepmother, the evil Queen. When the Queen drives the fair princess away, presumable murdered in the woods, the princess meets a handsome prince. The innocent princess finds the cottage of Seven Dwarfs, who eventually warm up to having a woman in the house. Snow White is a cheerful presence who cooks, cleans and sings for the dwarfs. What is not to love? The mirror on the wall tells the evil Queen that the princess is still alive, so the Queen dresses as a hag to deliver a poisoned apple to the naive girl. Snow White takes a bite into the poisoned fruit and falls into a deep sleep, from which only the kiss of first love can awaken her. Disney classic. 1937.
Pinocchio. Pinocchio is a wooden marionette made by Gepetto. Jiminy Cricket plays the conscious of the naive, but naughty, boy. Pinocchio must beat temptation to become brave, truthful and unselfish to prove himself deserving of becoming a real boy. Disney, 1940,
Bambi. Bambi is a wobbly fawn, who is destined to inherit the title of "Great Prince of the Forest." Happy romps with his mother and friends Thumper and Flower are brought to an end with the arrival of man to the idyllic forest. The naturalistic animation in "Bambi" was aided by a pair of four month old fawns that were sent to Walt Disney Studio by Maine game wardens. "Bambi" was based on a book by Viennese author Felix Salten, published in 1928. Disney,1942
The Lion King. Simba is a lion cub ,tricked into believing that he killed his father by his evil uncle, who has a serious case of sibling rivalry. The cub flees into the forest to discover the Circle of Life. This animated movie has become a successful, long running Broadway Play. Disney, 1994.
Fantasia. This animated classic is a visual treat set to the music of a symphony concert by Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra. The film was presented in Fantasound, which was an early stereo system devised by Disney Studio. 1942
Toy Story. Disney, 1995
Beauty and the Beast . Belle is imprisoned by a Beast, who as cursed by an Enchantress because of his inability to love. The prince must learn to love or be doomed to a lifetime of being beastly. Disney, 1991
Shrek . Disney. 2001
Cinderella, Fairy tale of a beautiful girl who is treated cruelly and unfairly by her beyond awful stepmother and stepsisters. Cinderella is sweet and pure, n spite of all the abuse she endures. When the handsome prince throws a royal ball in the castle, Cinderella's fairy godmother comes to her aid. Good reigns over evil as Cinderella's dreams of love come true. Disney, 1950.
Finding Nemo. Underwater adventures of an adorable clownfish, named Nemo, and his timid father. Disney, 2003.
Resources, American Film Institute, Go.Disney and IMDb.
The copyright of the article AFI Names Top Ten Animated Films of All Time in Vintage Animated Films is owned by Christine Nyholm. Permission to republish AFI Names Top Ten Animated Films of All Time in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
