Ein Gruß aus Wien

It can go slow in parts, but all in all I actually enjoyed 'Almost Angels'.

It's a sweet little story, admittedly it is one that could've been expanded upon and made more awe-inspiring than it is - similar to Disney's 'The Littlest Outlaw' from 1955 in that regard.

None of the child actors are all that great, yet are still perfectly suitable for their roles. Peter Weck is the best member of this film, as he brings a charming and kind quality to Max Heller. It's a relatively small cast.

The plot isn't perfect, as the film literally starts with one protagonist but ends with another - to the point where it kinda feels like they didn't know which story they wanted to tell most. As alluded to near the top, I would've loved if this was more grittier and harsher - so it would feel like we went on a journey with Tony (Vincent Winter) and Peter (Sean Scully).

With that said, this is still a production that leaves positive thoughts.

This is one of the best films I've seen that makes me like the Vienna Boys Choir even more.

The story centers around Tony Fiala, who wanted to become a Vienna Choirboy, and Peter, one of the senior Choirboy. At first Peter does not like Tony because it seems like the choirmaster takes a liking to Tony and pushes Peter to the background. However, after an incident in which Tony takes the blame for himself rather than blame Peter, the two become fast friends.

Overall, it is a wonderful movie that gets you behind the scenes of what it is like being a Vienna Choirboy. I highly recommend it.

Walt Disney personally supervised the filming of "Almost Angels" and in so doing, invested the film with his own personal magic. Among other requirements, the central staircase at the Vienna Choir Boy's home in Augarten Park, Vienna, had to be changed, so that boys could enter into and disappear from scenes written into the script that called for a specific kind of stairs.

Although dated in some respects, the film is beautifully photographed, and of course the music is the main element, as well as the boys' charm. Actors chosen for the lead roles did not sing, but soundtrack and film were so well matched, most people are convinced they did!

An update of this classic is unnecessary, but it would be a terrific thing if this movie were re- mastered, digitized and released in DVD format!

I saw this many years ago as a boy soprano and came home wanting to be in the choir. I got a VHS copy on ebay a few days ago and watched it again -- it probably will affect today's kids differently. (But I mean to show it in episodes to my kid's choir at church anyway.) The movie is about the odd and beautiful thing that is an accomplished boys choir. How odd it strikes us that these kids respond to the musician's discipline, they strive for excellence, and they connect with great music. Are they from another planet? This movie bears a compelling witness to an alternative to how we could view the future men of our society.

The plot provides just enough of an excuse for the wonderful music and scenery. This is not an example of great visual story telling. It has a scrubbed Disney look and feel, but it's not even up to Disney's standards. In one scene you see the camera's shadow on the wall before it dollys back out of the light. But take it for what it is: it lets you see and hear something good and fine that you might never otherwise experience.

Almost Angels would certainly benefit from a digital remastering, because the pictures and the music deserve to be as vivid as possible.(But who knows why Disney does anything? "We've got a lot of terrific material - let's lock it in the vault and not sell it to anybody, okay?" "Great idea, chief!")

I'll be brief. "Almost Angels" has always been one of my favorite live-action Disney movies because of the singing and the story. As a young boy, I enjoyed music (I still do), and always thought having an experience like Tony's would be wonderful.

Sean Scully, a stock Disney child actor, does an OK job as the older boy whose voice is changing. Not great, but OK. I do have to say that his choral directing technique needs lots of work, however; he would have benefited from some simple instruction.

The movie is delightfully family-safe. Some will love it, some will think it's cheesy (which it may be). If you like music, especially the Vienna Choir Boys, watch the movie. Don't watch it to be intellectually challenged or anything like that. Watch it for the entertainment value. The Boys Choir music is wonderful, the scenery is beautiful. It has a reasonably realistic storyline, and most of the actors do a fair job.

I would love to see this on DVD someday - I would buy it immediately. Until then, you'll just have to look for it at the video store or watch for it on the Disney Channel.