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List Price: $19.99 | | Label: Walt Disney Video
Salesrank: 13379
Released: February 12, 2002 |
| Our Price: $5.66 |
| Used Price: $3.62 |
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MPAA Rating: G (General Audience)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Disney celebrates the legends that inspired a country with classic stories of real American heroes in this all-new, full-length animated collection, DISNEY'S AMERICAN LEGENDS! You'll meet the doers and dreamers who made America great -- including John Henry, the railroad builder, who proved the value of believing in oneself. John Henry was created using rough-style animation over a scratchboard background, a technique that dates back to Disney's 101 DALMATIANS! This artistic style was chosen specifically by the director in order to convey the power and emotion of the story. Journey with the giant lumberjack Paul Bunyan as he clears the land for American settlers. Follow the trail of the beloved American icon Johnny Appleseed, whose peaceful planting of apple trees blossomed along the new frontier. Then take an unforgettable ride with Casey Jones, The Brave Engineer, who never failed to deliver the mail, no matter how difficult the route! Each story is introduced by celebrated actor James Earl Jones, and filled with unforgettable characters, adventure, and memorable songs. Gather the family together and enjoy these timeless tales ... an experience no childhood should be without!
Description of American Legends:
American history and pioneer mythology blur in this collection of animated Disney shorts hosted by James Earl Jones. From Disney's Golden Age come the marvelous Johnny Appleseed (1948), a fanciful, folksy, story-song tale of the real-life planter who seeded the Midwest, and The Brave Engineer (1950), a screwball version of "The Ballad of Casey Jones." Paul Bunyan (1958) is pure tall tale turned energetic American myth: the giant lumberjack is a homespun Zeus in flannel and logger boots creating the mountains and valleys of the American West with his big, blue ox, Babe. Joining these classics is Disney's stylized new take on the folk song John Henry (2000), narrated by Alfre Woodard. The sketchy, roughed-up style echoes Jacob Lawrence in moments, and the rich soundtrack soars with spiritual-influenced music. Like the best of Disney, these spirited folk tales speak to both children and adults. --Sean Axmaker
American Legends Reviews:
american legends 
2009-11-11 - I ordered this dvd because online said Pecos Bill was in the group of movies.
It was not and that was what I was looking for. I was disappointed!!!!
I kept it only because I like the other shows also.
Watch for PC revisions 
2009-10-28 - I was hoping to get the original Disney clips from when these "tall tales" were aired. HOwever, this DVD has been revised to make it PC especially for the John Henry tale. Too bad we feel the need to redo/repackage everything these days.
american legends 
2009-10-10 - THis is the video I was looking for, THe product was shipped very quickly and I was able to enoy it with my grad son, He liked it also and I feel that he was able to enjoy a very big part of my childhood with me. I use to watch the old disney catoons with my parents. IA tradition is passed on.
A good little history lesson
2009-09-09 - This was a good video that told interesting stories about our American Folk heroes. The stories brought out the moral lessons that they were created to teach in the first place. My son loved it, but my daughter was a little disappointed that there weren't any heroes that were girls.
Where's Pecos?
2009-07-06 - I think this collection would have been up a notch had they included Pecos Bill, which is in MELODY TIME and not MAKE MINE MUSIC. Even Pecos Bill tale has been altered digitally for lack of smoking cigar. Why did they let Alice's Caterpiller alone, and bleep all the other innuendos, I just dont know. Disney, get over it! They've been putting on the brakes for releasing Song Of The South because of racist portrayals, and I adore Uncle Remus and his country critters. Please dont delete the tar baby sequence if it ever does go for dvd release. With all that comes across on the big screen now in days, Disney should loosen up its own censorship for the real deal in its cartoons. Anyone like me would rather see the genuine article, than an overlay of touchups in the studio due to some worrysome corporate figureheads at a board meeting that think certain scenes might seem unsuitable with todays crowd. God give the monumental Gone With The Wind, I love Hattie Mcdaniel to this day, and do not disown her for her honest portrayal of how black people really were in the golden age of American history.
Anyway, Disney has nothing to be ashamed of, and these constant censors are entirely unnecessary, but thanks for trying, and thanks for at least letting us view the archive cartoons, although I wish it was in original form. I am a non smoker, and Cruella De Vil had no affect.
