The Great Mouse Detective
Year: 1986
Directed by: Ron Clements, Burny Mattinson, Dave Michener & John Musker
Starring: Val Bettin, Barry Ingham, Susanne Pollatscheck & Vincent Price
Runtime: 74 mins
BBFC: U
Published: 07/06/21
Directed by: Ron Clements, Burny Mattinson, Dave Michener & John Musker
Starring: Val Bettin, Barry Ingham, Susanne Pollatscheck & Vincent Price
Runtime: 74 mins
BBFC: U
Published: 07/06/21
Considering Disney has made an adaptation of just about everything for the Animated Classics collection, I have to say it took me by surprise slightly when I learned that The Great Mouse Detective is actually an adaptation of Sherlock Holmes…or sort of anyway. More specifically it’s an adaptation of the Basil of Baker Street children’s books by Eve Titus, but these tales are based upon the stories of Holmes created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
London 1897, on a dark and stormy night toymaker Hiram Flaversham (Alan Young) is abducted by a bat-like figure leaving his daughter Olivia (Susanne Pollatschek) scared and alone. After returning from a tour in Afghanistan, Dr. David Dawson (Val Bettin) finds Olivia alone in the street and takes her to the famous Basil (Barrie Ingham) of Baker Street. Intrigued by the description of the assailant, Basil agrees to take the case as he believes it will bring him face to face with his nemesis, Professor Ratigan (Vincent Price).
London 1897, on a dark and stormy night toymaker Hiram Flaversham (Alan Young) is abducted by a bat-like figure leaving his daughter Olivia (Susanne Pollatschek) scared and alone. After returning from a tour in Afghanistan, Dr. David Dawson (Val Bettin) finds Olivia alone in the street and takes her to the famous Basil (Barrie Ingham) of Baker Street. Intrigued by the description of the assailant, Basil agrees to take the case as he believes it will bring him face to face with his nemesis, Professor Ratigan (Vincent Price).
The Great Mouse Detective is a true return to form from Disney following The Black Cauldron. Where that film drowned itself in dark themes and mature imagery, The Great Mouse Detective feels more in line with the kind of film presented by The Rescuers. It still has dark themes at times, but these are accompanied by larger than life characters who balance the scales back towards family fun.
It also has a good story. Using the Sherlock Holmes stories and characters as a foundation does the film wonders as it allows for the focus to be placed on how the story can be uniquely presented, in this case by presenting all the character as animals, particularly mice.
That being said there’s not much that stands out as truly great about The Great Mouse Detective. It’s certainly enjoyable, and it does little wrong, but it doesn’t do anything particularly interesting either. The musical number for main villain Ratigan is a highlight and would pave the way for what would come in the near future with the Disney Renaissance on the horizon. On top of this the climactic battle between Basil and Ratigan inside Big Ben is visually impressive with its early use of 3D animation tech, but outside of this it’s a by the numbers Disney animation.
The Great Mouse Detective is certainly a good time, but it has a tendency to play it safe. This is probably a reaction to The Black Cauldron’s poor reception, but rather than excel the studio to new heights, it simply restores the status quo they had enjoyed for some time. An enjoyable, but mostly unremarkable entry to the long running Classics series.
It also has a good story. Using the Sherlock Holmes stories and characters as a foundation does the film wonders as it allows for the focus to be placed on how the story can be uniquely presented, in this case by presenting all the character as animals, particularly mice.
That being said there’s not much that stands out as truly great about The Great Mouse Detective. It’s certainly enjoyable, and it does little wrong, but it doesn’t do anything particularly interesting either. The musical number for main villain Ratigan is a highlight and would pave the way for what would come in the near future with the Disney Renaissance on the horizon. On top of this the climactic battle between Basil and Ratigan inside Big Ben is visually impressive with its early use of 3D animation tech, but outside of this it’s a by the numbers Disney animation.
The Great Mouse Detective is certainly a good time, but it has a tendency to play it safe. This is probably a reaction to The Black Cauldron’s poor reception, but rather than excel the studio to new heights, it simply restores the status quo they had enjoyed for some time. An enjoyable, but mostly unremarkable entry to the long running Classics series.