Emil und die Detektive

I stumbled on this entry and was glad I did! I recall watching this when it was broadcast on "Disney's Wonderful World of Color" in September 1966 when I was five and have never seen it since. I recall the Berlin locations and being fascinated by the entire enterprise. Maybe I would have a different opinion if I saw it now, but I recalled liking it as a kid.

I wasn't too sure at the beginning but it got better and better. If you like Home Alone you should like this. Classic Disney comedy.

First saw this in a movie theater when I was 11 years old and just saw it again this week on Turner Classic Movies. It made a big impression on me when I was a kid and I'm pleased the experience stood up. Understand that this is completely a kids movie. The characters are very broad and actually quite cartoonish (though the same could be said for Quentin Tarantino movies). Gender stereotypes are consistent with the period. The plot is wildly implausible, like many children's books, but who cares?

So what did I like about it so much? All the main actors had charisma to spare and the minor actors were quirky and more than a little unusual. Bryan Russell and Walter Slezak are particular favorites. Though I hardly understood World War II as a child I now appreciate seeing Berlin less than 20 years after that war ended. And the attitudes towards Germany at this time. The photography is vividly colorful and flattering to Berlin. The bouncy score is happy-making and infectious. Mostly, I loved the sense of ebullient, delirious adventure and camaraderie among the detectives. Really echoes my idea of the limitless adventure of childhood at its best. Bravo!

One of the most dreadful adaptations of a book I've seen in a long time. Disney took the delightful and touching 1929 novel by Erich Kästner and turned it into something utterly ridiculous. In the first half-minute I knew something was going to be off when they revealed straight away who the robber was for certain, thus destroying any sense of mystery and tension the book had. Moreover they made the Grundeis character so grossly unbelievable as a person, it was hardly watchable. And the detectives...all the charm and comradery of the group of boys who help Emil in the book was lost in this film. In the film, they were basically hired for a tenner.

Enjoy a step back in time to West Berlin, Germany, during the early 1960s when Germany was divided and skrinks were invading.

Real scenery, real buildings, real vehicles -- it's not an imagining in a fantasy land, it's what actually did exist at one time and some of it still does today. (Note the tall hexagon-shaped building and old church in the background when Gustav and Emil meet; it's the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church located at Lietzenburgerstrasse 39, 10789 Berlin)

1960s style, fashion, costumes -- each character's outfit defines them and adds to the charm of the story; whether it's an actual character in the script or a nameless passerby in the background, the styles and colors are captivating.

Story narrator, opening credits, film effects, editing -- enjoyable features that add to the story and help it move along; even during the slower-moving moments of the film, I'm still intrigued by the scenery, the background, the music, the writing, or other subtle elements that could be edited away but it wouldn't necessarily make the film better, just shorter.

Young detectives, innocent loyal do-gooders, solving problems together in a more adult manner than adults in modern films.

Score, background music, sound effects -- I don't have to watch every second to know what's going on because the sounds and music tell the story too; while it's not a musical, the music is essential to the movie.

Dry humor, no swearing, witty insightful writing with good moral lessons and silly words that should get used more, like 'skrink' and 'skrunky'.

Stunts, physical work -- not high-impact but highly enjoyable.

Cartoonish villains that aren't animated and don't cause serious harm to anyone as much as they try -- similar to the Apple Dumpling Gang or the bad guys in That Darn Cat; other good titles would be the Apple Streusel Gang or That Darn Skrink.

Worst thing about movie: I didn't know it existed the first 41 years of my life.

Thanks to TCM and their Disney Vault series for making these movies available without commercials, and with captions too!