Le lièvre et la tortue

This is one of Walt Disney's classic Silly Symphony shorts, adapting Aesop's classic fable about the slow Tortoise who triumphs over the speedy Hare in a race. Some characters were added to the story like audience members and the hare's cheerleaders to enhance the content of the cartoon.

I like how the hare was depicted as cocky and confident, sure that he will win the race, and how the tortoise was depicted as steady, humble and calm, not worrying about losing, just doing his part fair and square. This shows that arrogant, overly- confident and know- it-all people don't always have it their way, and that humble and quiet people can win the race!

Overall, a fun cartoon that serves a good balance of entertainment and moral lessons to the little ones.

Grade B+

A road race between a tortoise and a hare. Classic early Disney cartoon, although it's rating is probably due more to memories of multiple childhood viewings than quality.

What can I say, brilliant! It is funny, original and fast paced. Adapted from the Aesop fable, it deals with overconfidence and perseverance in the way only Disney can do, and at no time does it preach. The Technicolour animation is very very good, and the music was just wonderful. The little rabbits were adorable, and both the tortoise and the hare(who I admit is a bit of a jerk) are great with great personalities that positively shine through here. There is an irreverent script, and although the pace is very fast, it is a hugely enjoyable silly symphony, that keeps true to the original fable, and in the meantime putting its own irreverent spin on it. Time to give it the standing ovation it deserves. 10/10 Bethany Cox

A Walt Disney SILLY SYMPHONY Cartoon Short.

THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE compete in a foot race. While Max Hare struts & smirks & shows off, Toby Tortoise keeps plodding right along...

Aesop's Fables provided the inspiration for this Academy Award winning cartoon. Max is rather insufferable, but Toby's gentle good nature provides the core of the story. This little film was followed by a sequel, TOBY TORTOISE RETURNS (1936).

The SILLY SYMPHONIES, which Walt Disney produced for a ten year period beginning in 1929, are among the most fascinating of all animated series. Unlike the Mickey Mouse cartoons in which action was paramount, with the Symphonies the action was made to fit the music. There was little plot in the early Symphonies, which featured lively inanimate objects and anthropomorphic plants & animals, all moving frantically to the soundtrack. Gradually, however, the Symphonies became the school where Walt's animators learned to work with color and began to experiment with plot, characterization & photographic special effects. The pages of Fable & Fairy Tale, Myth & Mother Goose were all mined to provide story lines and even Hollywood's musicals & celebrities were effectively spoofed. It was from this rich soil that Disney's feature-length animation was to spring. In 1939, with SNOW WHITE successfully behind him and PINOCCHIO & FANTASIA on the near horizon, Walt phased out the SILLY SYMPHONIES; they had run their course & served their purpose.

The hare emerges from his tent like a boxing champion, the tortoise more like a lethargic geriatric - and the entire crowd assume this is a fait-accompli. Racing away, the hare even stops for a nap. His opponent politely tip-toes past him, only for him to be easily overtaken again and this time allowing the complacent hare time to flirt with some bunny girls watching from a wall, generally taking his victory as assured. He even plays himself at baseball and tennis and generally just shows off! Meantime, with just yards to go, the tortoise is approaching the finish line so the hare has to get a move on - else the unthinkable might happen! It's quickly paced if a little over-scored this animation, but the cocksureness of the hare and the steadfastness of the tortoise play out well in an engaging tale of never taking anything for granted - however confident you might be.