If you are looking for edgy humor, the 1930s are NOT the era to search. Very often, the cartoons of the era featured lots of singing and nice, cute characters. The more irreverent style of Tex Avery with MGM and the Looney Tunes bunch (Bugs, Daffy and the gang) were still to be developed in the 1940s. So, although THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE definitely lacks a comedic edge and is a bit on the cutesy-cutesy side, it's head and shoulders better than the typical product of the age. Why was is Oscar-worthy? Well, it's because the animation quality was simply amazing. The colors were very, very vibrant, the backgrounds were amazing and the character animation was smooth. During the 30s, it's hard to find cartoons that look better than this. My only regret is that the more mainstream cartoons like Mickey Mouse were not seriously considered. Perhaps they lacked the snob appeal, but GULLIVER MICKEY or TWO-GUN MICKEY would have been better choices--having both the great animation and a more enjoyable and less predictable story.
18 Reviews
Slow and steady wins the race, huh
CuriosityKilledShawn2 November 2010
There's not much to say about this cartoon. I guess it's the original underdog tale. It doesn't expand upon the fable and presents the story in its most basic form.
A tortoise and a hare have a race, viewed by a large audience. The dull-witted tortoise seems no match for the cocky, over-confident hare. But when the race actually begins the hare is too busy with distractions while the tortoise focuses on winning.
It may be a cautionary tale on never straying or deviating from following your dreams. Never accept what is and always chase what can be.
Apparently the design of the hare was an inspiration on the design of Bugs Bunny, I character I like much better.
A tortoise and a hare have a race, viewed by a large audience. The dull-witted tortoise seems no match for the cocky, over-confident hare. But when the race actually begins the hare is too busy with distractions while the tortoise focuses on winning.
It may be a cautionary tale on never straying or deviating from following your dreams. Never accept what is and always chase what can be.
Apparently the design of the hare was an inspiration on the design of Bugs Bunny, I character I like much better.
Slow and steady wins the race.
OllieSuave-00716 November 2013
This is one of Walt Disney's classic Silly Symphony shorts, adapting Aesop's classic fable about the slow Tortoise who triumphs over the speedy Hare in a race. Some characters were added to the story like audience members and the hare's cheerleaders to enhance the content of the cartoon.
I like how the hare was depicted as cocky and confident, sure that he will win the race, and how the tortoise was depicted as steady, humble and calm, not worrying about losing, just doing his part fair and square. This shows that arrogant, overly- confident and know- it-all people don't always have it their way, and that humble and quiet people can win the race!
Overall, a fun cartoon that serves a good balance of entertainment and moral lessons to the little ones.
Grade B+
I like how the hare was depicted as cocky and confident, sure that he will win the race, and how the tortoise was depicted as steady, humble and calm, not worrying about losing, just doing his part fair and square. This shows that arrogant, overly- confident and know- it-all people don't always have it their way, and that humble and quiet people can win the race!
Overall, a fun cartoon that serves a good balance of entertainment and moral lessons to the little ones.
Grade B+
nice
Kirpianuscus6 June 2020
Slow but safe
flaviomarcelo4 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
It is the 49th short film of Silly Symphony, it is about a hare and a tortoise that are preparing for a race both are going to compete and decide to prepare for it, the hare is very smug and begins to make fun of him saying that he would never win because she is too slow, but the tortoise humbly tells her to always do things with caution and patience. The race begins and the hare has the advantage and falls asleep for a moment in a tree, he sees the tortoise go by and they make fun of him and he runs back, the poor tortoise stays behind, then the hare arrives at a school of girls where he brags about his speed and starts talking and playing to be able to impress them but the tortoise doesn't stop, he continues to the end, seeing how the tortoise almost reaches the finish line the hare gets his act together and starts running but It's too late, the tortoise wins the race.
Moral: Never brag about your skills whatever it is, there will always be someone else who has theirs and who will achieve many things, sometimes always walking cautiously and slowly is good, not always the fastest wins a race, but the most cunning .
The hare trusted too much and his ego was so much that they beat him, the tortoise on the other hand was very humble and always preferred to walk slowly but surely.
Undoubtedly a short film to analyze and reflect on life, I liked it a lot. Simply beautiful music and animation.
Moral: Never brag about your skills whatever it is, there will always be someone else who has theirs and who will achieve many things, sometimes always walking cautiously and slowly is good, not always the fastest wins a race, but the most cunning .
The hare trusted too much and his ego was so much that they beat him, the tortoise on the other hand was very humble and always preferred to walk slowly but surely.
Undoubtedly a short film to analyze and reflect on life, I liked it a lot. Simply beautiful music and animation.
Some raters have given this brief cartoon a "9" or even a . . .
tadpole-596-9182568 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
. . . "10," in total ignorance of its historical context. THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE is carefully crafted to ridicule the number one hero of the American Jewish community at the time of its release (you can read all of these details for yourself at the Wikipedia page for Max Baer). Released by a producer with a notorious history of anti-Semitism, the villain of TORTOISE is called "Max Hare." Coincidence? Hardly. The Real Life Mr. Baer was the world's heavyweight champ from June 1934 through June 1935. He won his title by whipping Adolf's favorite fighter, who goose-stepped during the lead-up to the Yankee Stadium title bout and parroted all of the personally dictated lies Adolf ordered him to spout to the American press. By lampooning Max as a know-nothing preening airhead, the makers of TORTOISE play right into the hands of the Reich and against historically persecuted U. S. War Heroes.
The Tortoise and the Hare
CinemaSerf9 February 2024
The hare emerges from his tent like a boxing champion, the tortoise more like a lethargic geriatric - and the entire crowd assume this is a fait-accompli. Racing away, the hare even stops for a nap. His opponent politely tip-toes past him, only for him to be easily overtaken again and this time allowing the complacent hare time to flirt with some bunny girls watching from a wall, generally taking his victory as assured. He even plays himself at baseball and tennis and generally just shows off! Meantime, with just yards to go, the tortoise is approaching the finish line so the hare has to get a move on - else the unthinkable might happen! It's quickly paced if a little over-scored this animation, but the cocksureness of the hare and the steadfastness of the tortoise play out well in an engaging tale of never taking anything for granted - however confident you might be.
I think a standing ovation is in order!
TheLittleSongbird22 September 2009
What can I say, brilliant! It is funny, original and fast paced. Adapted from the Aesop fable, it deals with overconfidence and perseverance in the way only Disney can do, and at no time does it preach. The Technicolour animation is very very good, and the music was just wonderful. The little rabbits were adorable, and both the tortoise and the hare(who I admit is a bit of a jerk) are great with great personalities that positively shine through here. There is an irreverent script, and although the pace is very fast, it is a hugely enjoyable silly symphony, that keeps true to the original fable, and in the meantime putting its own irreverent spin on it. Time to give it the standing ovation it deserves. 10/10 Bethany Cox
The Tortoise and the Hare review
JoeytheBrit20 April 2020
Lessons in the pitfalls in overconfidence and the value of perseverance, Disney style
llltdesq16 January 2001
While Disney has all too often taken a classic and "cuted" it into inanity, this actually is a very good cartoon that still manages to retain the underlying message (while still being almost too cute for it's own good). Toby Tortoise is every kid who had to fade into the background to avoid being stuffed into a locker and manages to win out as much through being too lightly regarded as through his own determination. This won Disney it's third straight Oscar for Animated Short, a category they maintained a death-grip on until the early 1940's, when another mouse and his cohort started winning. Recommended.
The Tortoise and the Hare was another excellent Disney Silly Symphony
tavm31 December 2008
Just watched this Oscar-winning animated short on YouTube. Based on the classic Aesop Fable, the obnoxious hare challenges the shy tortoise to a relay race. If you're familiar with the tale, you know how it goes but this being animated, you get the hare causing some wind to blow as well as him stopping to chat up some feminine admirer fans while the tortoise keeps going. There are some amusing gags but nothing hilarious. Still, this was a pretty exciting cartoon from Walt Disney's Silly Symphonies and it spawned a sequel-Toby Tortoise Returns-that I did think was hilarious. Oh, and it's easy to see why Frank Tashlin thought the hare-eventually called Max in the sequel-was the inspiration for Warner Bros.' Bugs Bunny. So for all that, I highly recommend The Tortoise and the Hare. P.S. I first saw some of these scenes when The Disney Channel presented on their "DTV" program their version of The Doobie Brothers' "It Keeps You Running" with this as well as other Disney cartoon scenes for the music video.
Despicable Disney teaches America's Youth How to Cheat . . .
pixrox14 October 2017
Warning: Spoilers
. . . during this phoned-in lackluster version of THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE. During the early going of this Battle of the Sexless, the terrapin sees himself passed by a herd of slowly slithering snails. However, when the race is on the line, he guzzles a can of Human Growth Hormone while popping a bottle of Steroid Pills. To encourage this sort of prohibited Substance Abuse, Disney then shows the hopped-up turtle putting additional inches on his legs faster than Barry Bonds went through bigger and bigger baseball helmets. Speaking of cheating, Disney also adds about five minutes of "padding" to the middle of this ho-hum affair showing the hare's main way to impress the ladies: by playing with himself! Rather than being judge, jury, and executioner, this show-off rodent offers himself as pitcher, catcher, and Aaron Judge on the ball diamond. If you think that this is fair, just ask yourself one question: How can he lose? Finally, the misguided Thumper makes hay in the tennis racket, risking nothing as he's again BOTH the Ying and the Yang. It's as if Siamese Twins are playing Twister!
Disney Animates A Fable From Aesop
Ron Oliver18 October 2000
A Walt Disney SILLY SYMPHONY Cartoon Short.
THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE compete in a foot race. While Max Hare struts & smirks & shows off, Toby Tortoise keeps plodding right along...
Aesop's Fables provided the inspiration for this Academy Award winning cartoon. Max is rather insufferable, but Toby's gentle good nature provides the core of the story. This little film was followed by a sequel, TOBY TORTOISE RETURNS (1936).
The SILLY SYMPHONIES, which Walt Disney produced for a ten year period beginning in 1929, are among the most fascinating of all animated series. Unlike the Mickey Mouse cartoons in which action was paramount, with the Symphonies the action was made to fit the music. There was little plot in the early Symphonies, which featured lively inanimate objects and anthropomorphic plants & animals, all moving frantically to the soundtrack. Gradually, however, the Symphonies became the school where Walt's animators learned to work with color and began to experiment with plot, characterization & photographic special effects. The pages of Fable & Fairy Tale, Myth & Mother Goose were all mined to provide story lines and even Hollywood's musicals & celebrities were effectively spoofed. It was from this rich soil that Disney's feature-length animation was to spring. In 1939, with SNOW WHITE successfully behind him and PINOCCHIO & FANTASIA on the near horizon, Walt phased out the SILLY SYMPHONIES; they had run their course & served their purpose.
THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE compete in a foot race. While Max Hare struts & smirks & shows off, Toby Tortoise keeps plodding right along...
Aesop's Fables provided the inspiration for this Academy Award winning cartoon. Max is rather insufferable, but Toby's gentle good nature provides the core of the story. This little film was followed by a sequel, TOBY TORTOISE RETURNS (1936).
The SILLY SYMPHONIES, which Walt Disney produced for a ten year period beginning in 1929, are among the most fascinating of all animated series. Unlike the Mickey Mouse cartoons in which action was paramount, with the Symphonies the action was made to fit the music. There was little plot in the early Symphonies, which featured lively inanimate objects and anthropomorphic plants & animals, all moving frantically to the soundtrack. Gradually, however, the Symphonies became the school where Walt's animators learned to work with color and began to experiment with plot, characterization & photographic special effects. The pages of Fable & Fairy Tale, Myth & Mother Goose were all mined to provide story lines and even Hollywood's musicals & celebrities were effectively spoofed. It was from this rich soil that Disney's feature-length animation was to spring. In 1939, with SNOW WHITE successfully behind him and PINOCCHIO & FANTASIA on the near horizon, Walt phased out the SILLY SYMPHONIES; they had run their course & served their purpose.
Every scene a winner
Horst_In_Translation11 July 2015
Warning: Spoilers
This is an 80-year-old cartoon (so the turtle may very well still be alive today!) from Walt Disney that won him his 3rd Academy Award. Sports have not really been frequent in these early cartoon movies, but this one here is proof that Disney can also deliver in that area. And there is not only the race in here, but also all the different ways in which the rabbit impresses the female rabbits. Too bad that he is not as smart as he is fast. Or as smart as he is boastful, which would make him probably the smartest animal on the planet then. Anyway, this is a very enjoyable short film. Of course, it is never really in doubt that the tortoise is going to win, but that's not a problem at all. I was delighted to see that hard-fighting, kind and forgiving turtle win in the end. Or was I delighted to see the arrogant hare lose? Maybe a bit of both. In any case, this was a great watch. The raccoon firing at the turtle to get going was as funny as everybody moving away from the skunks in the audience. I absolutely enjoyed these 8 minutes. Highly recommended and there is a sequel for this one which is pretty decent as well. Good job from Holden, Norton and Wilfred Jackson of course, a really great mind in the world of early animation and cartoons.
Well Done Fable
Hitchcoc1 January 2019
Disney creates an arrogant Hare, who is not just talented, but so overconfident that his life is dedicated to showing off. When someone decides to have a race with the most slow moving reptile, he uses every opportunity to taunt and disrespect his adversary. This is a really well done little story, The characters are fun. The Hare is incredibly obnoxious. When he meets those cute little bunnies, his distractions cost him.
Short children's movie which highlights and delivers the moral more strongly than full length expensive movies
DVR_Brale27 July 2016
This movie teaches, in my opinion, one of the most important life lessons ever. Treating something like it is important involves rejecting disturbances no matter how tempting they might be.
The Tortoise has become a sort of a coat-of-arms to me. The Hare on the other hand embodies all the typical flaws including being conceit.
Being skillful and gifted means nothing unless we stay humble. Without humble character skills might even do us damage.
In short, the moral is: Finish things once started. Work humbly.
Watch this precious gem whenever you need to remind yourself on how to do your work. You may even become a child again for a moment.
The Tortoise has become a sort of a coat-of-arms to me. The Hare on the other hand embodies all the typical flaws including being conceit.
Being skillful and gifted means nothing unless we stay humble. Without humble character skills might even do us damage.
In short, the moral is: Finish things once started. Work humbly.
Watch this precious gem whenever you need to remind yourself on how to do your work. You may even become a child again for a moment.
But fun, cute...
RosanaBotafogo6 July 2021
Among all the existing fables, this one by Aesop I consider one of the best, when willpower, persistence, and even aware of its limitations, the slow tortoise does not give up, nor discourages, and wins the hare, reminding us that it is not enough to be the best, but you have to be committed and responsible, adorable short, fair, somewhat exaggerated, but fun, cute...
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
