Dot et le Kangourou

I remember watching this beautiful film when I was a little girl ... being captivated by Dot and Kangaroo's adventures in the Australian wild, and then being moved to tears at the end when they part. 20 years have now passed since my first viewing, and it still brings bittersweet tears to my eyes.

I totally agree. It was such a great adventure. Just the amazing idea of going around with different marsupials. I ALSO really got into Australian mammals in a big way as a kid because of this colourful set of films. Used to get up at 6 am to see this on the telly in Winter.

My ambition was to have those adventures, and through Dot anyone could.

That Bunyip, scary creature though!

Oh my gosh this movie tops sad of all sad! All I remember of this movie was how traumatized I was as a child by it. Every time it was going to be on my family tried to keep me from seeing it but every once in a while I would catch a glimpse and make them let me watch it and then I would go into hysterics at the end. It would normally take about an hour and a half to settle me down, so I'm told, I would cry so hard that I would end up throwing up. I asked my friends, now in their mid twenties if they remembered this movie from childhood and they all said they did and they all remembered crying and such when they watched it as well. I can still remember poor dot screaming and crying for her kangaroo to come back to her after leaving her at her home and he never comes back! It was just horrible! Why would anyone make a movie so sad? geez!

The first instalment in the Dot film series, 'Dot and the Kangaroo' is one of the better entries of that series of films, is one of Yoram Gross' better films and is one of the best overall examples of Australian animation. While not perfect, it is a lovely film and, while remembered fondly by those who saw it as a child, under-appreciated now.

It is agreed that the animation is not too great, lacking in vibrancy and the drawing does lack finesse. A good deal of it is also rather repetitive, particularly in some of the songs. Speaking of the songs, my feelings on them were mixed. The songs that don't really work, due to excessive cheesiness and pointlessness, is "Platypus Duet", "I'm a Frog" and "In the Kangaroo Pouch".

However, some of the songs do work. The best song is the sublime "Dreamtime" and "Quark Ducks" is pretty funny, the sometimes hilarious lyrics are easy to quote. "The Bunyip" is suitably creepy without being traumatising.

While the animation was not great on the most part, the live photographic backgrounds were very detailed and quite beautifully done. The script is funny, sometimes scary and heart-warming and the characters are engaging with a relatable titular character, a creepy villain and some other fun characters. The voice acting is good from the likes of Barbara Frawley, Spike Milligan and Ron Haddrick.

It is the story where 'Dot and the Kangaroo' most shines. Parts are fun and others are scary, but it's the charm and emotional heart that's particularly note-worthy, really warming the heart and moving even the most cynical of adults to at least a tear or two. The messaging is sincere and never preachy or tacked-on.

Overall, a lovely film and one of the better Dot films. A good example of Australian animation. 8/10 Bethany Cox

As in another user comment on this movie, I first saw this on HBO as a kid. The mix of live footage and animation makes the events in the story seem more authentic and believable and also maintains a connection with reality that drives home the ecological message. As a kid, I remember liking the songs, which are still enjoyable, and being fascinated by the aboriginal elements. Upon second viewing recently, I was struck by the environmental and anthropological themes. It is still magical, and the ending remains affecting.