Elliot, das Schmunzelmonster (1977)

Elliot, das Schmunzelmonster: Directed by Don Chaffey, Don Bluth. With Helen Reddy, Jim Dale, Mickey Rooney, Red Buttons. An orphan boy and his magical dragon come to town with his abusive adoptive parents in pursuit.

“u0026quot;Peteu0026#39;s Dragonu0026quot; is an enchanting Disney tale that combines live-action and animation. The dragon is the only animated character, but that doesnu0026#39;t change the fact that this is a perfect combination of live-action and animation. This is definitely one of the best live-action movies produced by Disney. One of my favorites. Itu0026#39;s cute and charming.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIt looks dated, but thatu0026#39;s not a major flaw. Actually, thatu0026#39;s part of its charm (which is timeless). There are plenty of beautiful vistas: a lighthouse, mountains, green places, the endless sea and more. Passamaquoddy is a strange name, but the village is nice.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe dragon Elliott is cute and lovable. He almost resembles Puff the Magic Dragon and has a funny way to communicate. His sounds are awesome. Elliott is a good and innocent dragon, but big and clumsy. Pete is a cute and lovable kid. I enjoy his friendship with the animated dragon.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThere is a nice cast in the film. Sean Marshall is excellent as Pete – he is a very underrated former child actor. Helen Reddy is great as Nora. Mickey Rooney is funny as the silly but comical Lampie. Jim Dale is priceless as Doc Terminus. Red Buttons is very convincing as Doc Terminusu0026#39;s sidekick Hoagy. Shelley Winters plays well her role (the wicked Lena Gogan, the leader of the Gogans).u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis is an underrated film. Yet, itu0026#39;s a nice old-fashioned one. And nostalgic too because itu0026#39;s a reminder of other times and also of my own childhood.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThere are some cheesy moments, but nothing too serious or enough to ruin the movie. One of the few things I donu0026#39;t like about this movie is Peteu0026#39;s teacher. She is so mean, even more when she does that corporal punishment thing to Pete.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eHoagy is one of my favorite characters. I donu0026#39;t consider him a villain. Heu0026#39;s not a bad guy, heu0026#39;s just a poor devil who chose the wrong friend. He is hilarious even in his name. I donu0026#39;t know why, but u0026#39;Hoagyu0026#39; sounds funny to my ears. Classic humor is another solid point of this movie. Many of Doc Terminusu0026#39;s lines are funny, as well as the fact that he never says u0026quot;Passamaquoddyu0026quot; correctly.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAbout the songs, I like most of them very much. My personal favorites are u0026quot;Brazzle Dazzle Dayu0026quot;, u0026quot;Itu0026#39;s not easyu0026quot;, u0026quot;Candle on the Wateru0026quot;, u0026quot;Boo Bop Bopbop Bop (I love you, too)u0026quot;, u0026quot;Thereu0026#39;s Room for Everyoneu0026quot; and u0026quot;Bill of Saleu0026quot;. These songs are great. Timeless classics.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis motion picture is one among many examples of great underrated films. Many times I get more surprised with a less popular and less appreciated film than with one of those films that most everybody loves. It doesnu0026#39;t always happen, but most of the universally loved films end up being overrated and turn out to be disappointing because we create too much expectations on them, while a not so known and valued movie I may not expect that much from it but turns out to be a pleasant surprise. That only makes me respect and admire these less valued movies even more.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis should definitely be on Top 250.”