The Rescuers (1977)

The Rescuers (1977)

7/10

Starring

Bob Newhart

Eva Gabor

Michelle Stacy

Geraldine Page

Joe Flynn

Directed by Wolfgang Reitherman, John Lounsbery and Art Stevens

Watching this movie again in 2020, I still consider it a Disney classic from the mouse factory. It’s a touching film that dives into a wide range of emotions while staying true to its plot and keeping the viewer engaged. The story moves at a steady pace, making it easy to follow and understand.

I love the strong female character Miss Bianca, who takes charge and decides who she wants as her partner for the adventure. When things get tough, she’s the one who keeps the morale high and motivates the team to keep going.

At the time of its release, The Rescuers was considered one of Disney’s best works. The movie made a name for itself through its innovative storytelling. The idea of two little mice working to rescue a child in a human world seems far-fetched, but the story pulls it off brilliantly. We watch these mice act as detectives, investigate leads, take risks, recruit help, and ultimately succeed—all while working together for the first time.

This was Disney’s 23rd animated feature film, adapted from Margery Sharp’s series of books, primarily The Rescuers and Miss Bianca.

The film introduces us to the Rescue Aid Society, an international mouse organization dedicated to rescuing victims worldwide. After receiving a message in a bottle from a little girl named Penny (voiced by Michelle Stacy) pleading for help, Miss Bianca (Eva Gabor) volunteers to take on the mission. She chooses Bernard (Bob Newhart), the society’s janitor, to be her partner.

The message provides clues about Penny’s last known location, so the duo sets off to save her. We soon learn that Penny, who ran away from her orphanage, is now in the clutches of the treasure-hunting Madame Medusa (Geraldine Page). Medusa is using Penny’s small stature to search for a diamond called the Devil’s Eye. Obsessed with finding the jewel, Medusa is willing to endanger Penny’s life, making the rescue mission urgent.

If you dig into the development of this animation, you’ll find it fascinating how many changes the project underwent before reaching its final form. The Rescuers was nominated for an Academy Award for the song "Someone’s Waiting for You." It was both a critical and commercial success at the box office.

The beautiful voice performances by Bob Newhart and Eva Gabor bring the characters to life. While this animation is primarily aimed at children, it’s still a joy to watch as an adult. The nostalgia adds to the excitement, and I can confidently call this a classic from Disney’s golden era.

The Rescuers was also the first Disney theatrical release to receive a sequel, The Rescuers Down Under, which came out 13 years later in 1990.