The Family That Dwelt Apart

Nice short film about a family that's living quietly and peacefully on an isolated island. Life is good, until the outside world comes into play. From there, a series of event leads to the disintegration of the family.

Out of 100, I gave it 79. That's good for *** out of ****.

Seen at home, in Toronto, on January 3rd, 2003.

This cartoon, a product of the National Film Board of Canada, tells the story of a family living contentedly on their own until the outside world mistakenly believes they need "help". Watching this cartoon, I remembered something Henry David Thoreau once said, "If I knew that a man were coming to my home with the fixed intention of doing me good, I would flee for my very life." Good deeds are often a mixed blessing for all parties. First, above all, do no harm. Highly recommended.

This is a very simply animated film that really struck a chord with me. Instead of the usual lousy animation that the 1970s were known for, this one was very different--mostly because of exceptional writing and narration. It is the ultimate story about irony and the importance of just minding your own business! The story is something like this: There was a simple family that lived on a small island in New England and they were very happy. Although they didn't have much, they were well-fed and content. Then, out of the blue, the idiots on the mainland got the idea that this family needed help--after which, every possible problem occurred and left the viewer with the impression that the expression about "the road to Hell is paved with good intentions" is 100% true--at least in this case! Filled with irony and sarcasm, this short sponsored by The Film Board of Canada is a winner and deserved its nomination for the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film. My only question, then, is--is this a true story? I sure hope not!!

T's EB White's commentary that raises a smile as we follow the tragedy of the poor "Pruitt" family. They live, quite contentedly, on a remote island - all seven of them - surviving on a diet of tins and corn biscuits whilst hibernating the winter through snuggly safe in their home. One year, though, the cold is especially bad and someone on the mainland realises how isolated they are. Alarmed, somebody somehow also gets the notion that one of the family has appendicitis and so just about every resource is mobilised to "rescue" him. A calamitous series of not so helpful activities now ensues that leaves a trail of death and destruction in it's wake. The animation is simple, but still quite entertaining using aeroplanes and terrible weather, a family who might have been cousins of "Popeye" and a jolly score to augment a story that extols the virtues of just leaving well alone.