Saturday, February 4, 2017

The End of the Squirrel Sequence



These are Frank Thomas' thumb-nail doodles, as he explores staging and continuity for the final scenes of the squirrel sequence from Sword in the Stone. Both Merlin and Wart have turned back into humans, and the girl squirrel is heartbroken.
Merlin seizes the moment to explain to Wart what just happened: "You know, lad, that love business is a powerful thing."
"Greater than gravity?"
"Well, yes, boy, in it's way. I'd say it's the greatest force on earth!"

I assume this was written by story man Bill Peet, and to me it's one of the most poignant moments in Disney animation. So simple, so moving, and yet powerful as a statement.
The movie does have its flaws, but then it does have moments like this one.

The actual footage was animated by several animators.


Ollie Johnston




Ollie Johnston




Frank Thomas



Hal Ambro




12 comments:

  1. Why the character name is Wart, I thought the name is Arthur or maybe the name it's at the end of the movie.

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    1. Maybe it's because he's Sir Ector's ward?

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    2. It's strange I never knew, will thank you.

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    3. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    4. Wart is a nickname for Arthur, though not a very complimentary one.

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  2. I hate that moment so much, I think it's not very well planned

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  3. Andreas, how The Walt Disney Company find a way to make Bambi 2 and the Great Prince of the Forest did you find the idea to make the story relationship betwene father and son.

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  4. Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man Tells No Tales.

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  5. Do you know who did the pencil layouts for the tree?
    Also who painted it? I'm assuming the designs were Ken Anderson but I don't really know.

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  6. That little moment, that one quote--it always struck me in a very deep way when I was little, and it still does now as an adult. And I love hearing your appreciation for it as well. :)

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  7. That little moment, that one quote--it always struck me in a very deep way when I was little, and it still does now as an adult. And I love hearing your appreciation for it as well. :)

    ReplyDelete