Brave Little Tailor (1938) User Reviews

He Qickley Adapts

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 29 December 2015]

Mickey Mouse is a tailor in a fairy tale town that has been ravaged by a giant. One day he kills seven flies, all at once. His bragging is mistaken for a claim to have killed seven giants with one blow. He is charged with the task of killing the aforementioned ogre. He is promised great wealth and the princess (Minnie) if he can do the job. He struggles to avoid the task but is soon out there in no man's land. Of course, the giant appears and it is his job to use his skills to accomplish things. The town is wonderfully colorful and the animation excellent. It never ceases to amaze me how brilliant the animation is in something produced in 1938. Very good job.

One of my personal favourite Mickey Mouse cartoons

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 26 September 2011]

Not my favourite, but up there. The animation is mostly excellent with beautiful colours and fluid backgrounds. The character designs aren't quite up there, but they are acceptable. The music has always been one of my favourite assets about these Silly Symphonies, and because it is so jaunty and energetic here Brave Little Tailor is no exception. The writing is funny with the parts with the giant amusing and I loved it when Minnie kisses Mickey and the story is charming. Mickey is a very cute and likable hero, and all the support characters make an impression while never bland. All in all, a great cartoon. 9/10 Bethany Cox

At last a good Mickey short

[CuriosityKilledShawn · 8/10 · 15 March 2005]

This time Mickey is starring all on his own, with no back-up. And for a change he's actually got a good story instead of the usual 'disaster' plots. In this cartoon, he plays a tailor who, through a series of misunderstandings, is sent on a mission by the king to take out a giant who is about to pound on their village. Princess Minnie is his reward so obviously he's going to oblige no matter how impossible that mission may be.

Shock horror, there are actually some laughs and Mickey manages to hold our attention instead of making us drift away. The gimmicks and imagination are very good and the ending in which the villagers use the sleeping giant as a power source is very clever.

Definitely one of the best Mickey shorts.

Mickey's second-finest hour!

[llltdesq · 10/10 · 13 February 2001]

This short, nominated for an Oscar for 1938, is the best color Mickey Mouse short, certainly and maybe the best short ever starring this most illustrious of rodents. Because of a misapprehension of a simple declarative sentence, our stalwart sets out on a course to become a somewhat reluctant hero. Well-executed and with Disney's usual attention to detail, this is an excellent cartoon, but it had the great misfortune to come out in the same year as an equally marvelous cartoon (also made by Disney) and so did not bring home the statuette for Walt. Most recommended.

The Mouse Achieves Greatness

[Ron Oliver · 10/10 · 1 May 2003]

A Walt Disney MICKEY MOUSE Cartoon.

A BRAVE LITTLE TAILOR, mistakenly acclaimed as a great champion, is sent to stop the depredations of a fearsome giant who is terrifying a tiny kingdom.

This is one of the truly classic color Mouse films, featuring excellent animation, sly humor & some genuine thrills. This vivid, fast-moving reinterpretation of the Brothers Grimm tale gave Mickey one of his grandest adventures and he obviously relishes his return, albeit briefly, to the top of the Disney heap. Without Donald, Goofy or Pluto to steal the limelight, Mickey proves to be a most dashing hero. Miss Minnie's involvement in the cartoon is mainly to add encouragement to Mickey's resolve and provide a reward for his heroics. Walt Disney supplies Mickey's squeaky voice.

Walt Disney (1901-1966) was always intrigued by pictures & drawings. As a lad in Marceline, Missouri, he sketched farm animals on scraps of paper; later, as an ambulance driver in France during the First World War, he drew comic figures on the sides of his vehicle. Back in Kansas City, along with artist Ub Iwerks, Walt developed a primitive animation studio that provided animated commercials and tiny cartoons for the local movie theaters. Always the innovator, his ALICE IN CARTOONLAND series broke ground in placing a live figure in a cartoon universe. Business reversals sent Disney & Iwerks to Hollywood in 1923, where Walt's older brother Roy became his lifelong business manager & counselor. When a mildly successful series with Oswald The Lucky Rabbit was snatched away by the distributor, the character of Mickey Mouse sprung into Walt's imagination, ensuring Disney's immortality. The happy arrival of sound technology made Mickey's screen debut, STEAMBOAT WILLIE (1928), a tremendous audience success with its use of synchronized music. The SILLY SYMPHONIES soon appeared, and Walt's growing crew of marvelously talented animators were quickly conquering new territory with full color, illusions of depth and radical advancements in personality development, an arena in which Walt's genius was unbeatable. Mickey's feisty, naughty behavior had captured millions of fans, but he was soon to be joined by other animated companions: temperamental Donald Duck, intellectually-challenged Goofy and energetic Pluto. All this was in preparation for Walt's grandest dream - feature length animated films. Against a blizzard of doomsayers, Walt persevered and over the next decades delighted children of all ages with the adventures of Snow White, Pinocchio, Dumbo, Bambi & Peter Pan. Walt never forgot that his fortunes were all started by a mouse, or that childlike simplicity of message and lots of hard work will always pay off.

lovely

[Kirpianuscus · 12 June 2020]

First - for the seductive crafte, the care for details being one of the best points. Second - for atmosphere and humor. Not the last - for a great, great giant. So, just lovely.

Another good early Disney cartoon

[Horst_In_Translation · 6/10 · 12 July 2015]

"Brave Little Tailor" is Walt Disney's take on the David vs. Goliath story. Mickey plays the main character and manages to kill seven flies at once. Sadly the townsfolk misunderstand and believe he killed seven giants at one. And as there is a giant coming closer to terrorize the place, Mickey is appointed to protect everybody. Oh well.. maybe it would have been better if he hadn't managed to kill a single one of these flies. Anyway, now he is in deep trouble and we see him go against the giant. Back in 1939, 4 of 5 nominees at the Oscars for Best Cartoon were Disney movies. This one was among them, but lost to "Ferdinand the Bull". I would say these two are on par in terms of quality, both good watches, but neither among Disney's best really. Still I recommend them and the thing I found the funniest here was maybe that all the townspeople looked a lot like Goofy. The director and the actor who voiced the giant worked on a couple real Disney classics such as Bambi and Dumbo. The actress who voices Minnie did so in many other cartoons. And then, of course there is Walt Disney's unique Mickey voice. It's a really good team and one of the reasons why this one here succeeded. Recommended.

"Don't move! I've got you covered!" Go Mickey!!!

[Foreverisacastironmess123 · 10/10 · 30 December 2013]

This is yet another of my favourite animated shorts of the early Disney canon, as everything in it is just so great! I love how it has one of those really memorable theme tunes that takes the viewer right back to how they felt when they first watched it years ago as a kid, least it always does for me. I can't believe this lost out to "Ferdinand the Bull", which although is a good animation in its own right, just generally comes nowhere near the kind of legendary status that this short has achieved. This should have won every possible award that it deserved, as it actually feels like it would've made for a pretty good movie of its own. There are a couple of really noticeable precursors to that evergreen masterpiece "Pinocchio" which would be landing two years later, such as the hilariously weird moment when the baby with the croaky voice exclaims "Jiminy Cricket!", the inside of the giant's mouth is similar to that of Monstro the Whale's, when Mickey gets briefly sent down his gullet it looks similar to when Jiminy gets shot down the pool table, and when Mickey gets shoved out of the castle to face his herculean task was very similar to the scene in the classic where the giant gates of nightmarish Pleasure Island are sealed shut. The rich details of the medieval-looking backgrounds were all beautifully done. The thrilling action of the sequences brilliantly matches the quality of the artwork, the two taking centre stage and both coming out winners. The immense animation involved with the thunderous footsteps of the giant as he approaches is epic and very suspenseful - I actually fear the brave little Mickey may get squashed like a bug as he gets swept away! The unnamed giant that's featured may be even dumber than Willie from "Mickey and the Beanstalk", not even seeming to be able to speak in complete sentences! Although he doesn't have half the charm or charisma of Willie, this guy on the plus side is a *real* giant, and the thing that I love the most about this fantastic feat of a short is really the smaller things, the fascinating little details and situations that arise from the size and scale of the giant:the way he tears the well out of the ground for a swig, the way he rolls a cigar out of the bale of hay and then uses the cottage's oven like a lighter! I also loved the miniature pumpkins, so cute! And Mickey in comparison is about what a real mouse would be to an average-sized human. The way he conquers his mountainous foe is very fun and imaginative. The ending is too cute, me and my brothers always used to get a big laugh out of the flamboyant way the king yells out "whoopee!" while riding the carousel with his ice cream! At least they made a productive use out of the giant.. Now surely sooner or later he's gonna have to wake up! This is the last appearance of Mickey with the black button eyes and white face. After this he would be given the, for me less appealing pink facial skin and eyes with pupils. The end of a little era... Love it, one of the all-time Mickey classics - that's for darn sure!!!

This animated short raises many questions, such as . . .

[pixrox1 · 7/10 · 28 January 2022]

. . . How is it that the king of dogs reigning in Dog Town has a mouse for a daughter? And why doesn't anyone bother to ask WHAT the male mouse killed seven of in one blow? Also, why did the strict film censors give their seal of approval to a giant who rolls a huge blunt, and then tokes deeply on his joint? Furthermore, why doesn't the big guy chew his food, instead of swallowing his pumpkins and rodents whole? Plus, wouldn't it be gratuitously painful for the behemoth to haphazardly consume a fully intact stone well like a sword swallowing specialist, rather than simply dumping the water into his mouth like any rational being would have done? Finally, what are all the people at the giant's snore-powered carnival going to do when he wakens from his rock-to-the-noggin induced stupor?

One of the best (and well-known) Mickey Mouse cartoons of all time

[ja_kitty_71 · 10/10 · 1 April 2008]

This is one of the best (and well-known) Mickey cartoons of all time. And it's also another cartoon where Mickey goes against a giant, like in the 1933 short "Giantland" and "Mickey and The Beanstalk" for the 1947 film "Fun and Fancy Free". Also, this cartoon is a favourite of mine. The short is based on the fairy-tale by The Grimm Brothers, with Mickey as the tailor who kills seven flies "with one blow!" Of course, everyone mistook the flies for seven giants, and they thought Mickey was a giant-killer. The short was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Short Subject, but the award went to the short "Ferdinand The Bull."

I love the main title theme music. Also, I love the scene where everyone spreads the story of Mickey killing seven giants. And the rumour then reaches the ears of the king and his daughter, Princess Minnie.

Any other year, this one would have probably won the Oscar

[planktonrules · 10/10 · 17 January 2014]

"Brave Little Tailor" was nominated for the Oscar for Best Animated Short but lost to "Ferdinand the Bull". Any other year, this cartoon probably would have won but "Ferdinand" was simply magnificent and charming. Regardless, I strongly recommend you see both films.

This short begins with Mickey killing seven flies at the same time. People THINK he meant giants and he's appointed by the king to be the Royal Giant-Killer! Mickey wants no part of this until he learns he'll also receive the hand of Princess Minnie--so he agrees to take out the giant. Can our brave little mouse possibly defeat an enormous and not particularly nice giant?!

The biggest thing that stood out for me about this film was the outstanding animation. It might just be the best looking MIckey cartoon ever--with exquisite backgrounds and animations. It is an artistic masterpiece. Fortunately, it's not all great artwork--with a lovely story and lots of clever touches to make the entire package worth seeing. Plus, it was nice that the Disney folks came up for a way for Mickey to defeat the giant that wouldn't compromise Mickey's character, as he's supposed to be a genuinely nice individual--not some killer. Overall, I very strongly recommend you see this one--it's a classic.

Heroes come in small sizes.

[OllieSuave-007 · 9/10 · 6 September 2014]

One of my favorite Disney cartoons when I was growing up, as I would always rent this cartoon at the local video store when it was part of a video compilation of cartoon shorts.

This short stars Mickey Mouse as the Brave Little Taylor who single handedly takes on a giant when he was invading his peaceful village. It is fun to see Mickey worm himself in and around the giant as he attempts to bring him down.

The giant himself is pretty comical looking, but you could tell he is a force to be reckon with as the entire earth trembles as he stomps by. It is also nice to see Mickey in an underdog role without any magic tricks to save the day, instead, relying on his physical self.

This cartoon short serves a good message that heroes can come in small packages, and quick wit and thinking can defeat even the strongest or biggest foes.

Grade A

A short reminder of quality

[kyle-350-235584 · 8/10 · 21 June 2018]

Watching this in the early 80's as a child I loved this short. And now in 2018 watching it again, I assumed it was at least made in the late 50's. Because of the quality and craftsmanship. Shocked and even more impressed now that I now it was created in the late 30's. Still holds up and should be on the shelf of any Disney or animation fan.

An enjoyable short

[mitsubishizero · 8/10 · 21 September 2020]

I remember watching this as a kid. It was a nice little short. The story's about Mickey being dispatched to slay a giant making life for his village rough. At first he's reluctant but with some quick thinking, he comes out on top.

It's a cute underdog story. In spite of a misunderstanding with the king, Mickey gets the attention of Minnie and finds the courage in himself to subdue the giant after it wrecks havoc around the village by stealing food from them. Whether you're a kid or not, this's a short anyone will enjoy. With that being said, swing on in to see for yourself.

Mickey Tailor Soldier Gi(-ant).

[southdavid · 8/10 · 19 May 2023]

The next short in the Disney Plus 'Shorts' section was "The Brave Tailor", a Mickey Mouse effort from 1938, that is a loose retelling of the Brothers Grimm Fairy tale.

A Kingdom has been terrorised by a giant (Eddie Holden) and requires a brave knight to eliminate him. Mickey Mouse (Walt Disney) kills seven flies in one go in his workshop and opens his window to brag about it, the villagers he speaks to are already talking about killing the giant and when Mickey says he "killed seven with one blow" a misunderstanding sees him hired as a giant killer. Though naturally reluctant, he's offered the hand of Princess Minnie (Marcellite Garner) as a reward and decides to give it a go.

This is one of the absolute undisputed classics and it brought back vivid memories from my childhood seeing it again. The animation style is already iconic, even this early on with the character designs spot on. The audio mix is less successful, with some decisions, such as the realistic rather than stylised performances from the crowd sounding jarringly odd. If you wanted to be hyper critical about the story, it doesn't actually add up to very much once the quest has started.

Those are quibbles really, in a cartoon that is an undisputed classic and well worth the nostalgic occasion.

Neat Adaptation Of A Fairy Tale

[jeremycrimsonfox · 10/10 · 8 June 2023]

Based on the Brothers Grim fairy tale, Mickey Mouse is the tailor who is doing tailor work in a Middle Ages kingdom as a giant is causing trouble. After killing seven flies in one blow with two flyswatters after they annoying him while doing tailoring, he is taken to the king, as he tells of his feat to a group of townsfolk who were asked if they ever killed a giant, causing them to mistake his answer as he killed giants. Mickey is taken to the king and is tasked with slaying the giant causing trouble, which he agrees as succeeding means he can marry the King's only daughter, Princess Minnie.

This is a neat old time cartoon that is a great adaptation of an old fairy tale. Mickey Mouse (voiced by Walt Disney) plays the role of a normal tailor whose bragging gets him into a situation real well, and even goes to become an underdog. Also, the short takes its own liberties with the story. A neat cartoon short from the 1930's, I recommend it for all ages.