Little Dutch Mill

A Fleischer animation. Lovely, moral, amusing, wise, giving beautiful story and inspired manner to use cliches , the subtle humor and the fresh perspective about so familiar things. A bad guy, his secret, two kids becoming hostages, a wise, courageous duck and the atmosphere of a traditional Dutch village. All is new and great, from music to the characters and the story. Its predactibility is one of good point because not the plot is significant but the charming use of details and the high care for atmosphere. After 84 years, it is more than cool. I t is just...sweet.

Like I said, I love animation from Fleischer Studios, along with Disney, Rankin/Bass, Hanna/Barbera, Studio Ghibli, and Nelvana Ltd. I have heard some negativity about Fleischer Studio's "Colour Classics" cartoons, but personally, I think that they are great cartoons, with the 3D backgrounds that the studio is known for.

The story is about a mean, dirty, bandy-legged miser who kidnaps Hans and Gretel, and their cute little duck friend goes to the villagers for help. I love that scene. And the villagers made the old miser "clean up" his act. I also love the main title theme music. Now I have it in my head. So, overall, I love this cartoon.

Not one of my favourites from Fleischer(Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Somewhere in Dreamland and Christmas Comes But Once a Year), it starts off a little too cutesy for personal tastes, but Little Dutch Mill is something that Fleischer fans will love. Particularly good is the animation, which is (somewhat predictably) wonderful. Even if the character designs are a touch stiff on occasions and not much different from those from other Fleischer cartoons, the colours are lush, the backgrounds are smooth and the villages are animated very meticulously but Little Dutch Mill is another Fleischer cartoon to use the technical innovation of the placing of animated characters amidst live action backgrounds, providing a stunning stereo-optical effect for the wind mill's rotating sails and the ending scene. The music is energetic and whimsical with a pleasant title tune if not as catchy as other Fleischer cartoons. Little Dutch Mill has a charming story with an unexpected but lovely ending which sees the villain reformed and a healthy balance of sentiment and mischievous humour. The characters are cute and well voiced too. To conclude, not a personal favourite but a charming cartoon and another Fleischer winner. 9/10 Bethany Cox