Pete's Dragon

1977 "Brazzle Dazzle Brilliance!"
6.3| 2h8m| G| en| More Info
Released: 03 November 1977 Released
Producted By: Walt Disney Productions
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
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Synopsis

Pete, a young orphan, runs away to a Maine fishing town with his best friend a lovable, sometimes invisible dragon named Elliott! When they are taken in by a kind lighthouse keeper, Nora, and her father, Elliott's prank playing lands them in big trouble. Then, when crooked salesmen try to capture Elliott for their own gain, Pete must attempt a daring rescue.

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Reviews

Grimerlana Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike
Matrixiole Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.
Invaderbank The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.
Isbel A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.
goolizap Pete's Dragon was my favorite Disney movie when I was growing up, but I hadn't watched it since I was little. Recently, I've revisited many films I loved as a child only to be disappointed by them. So naturally, I was afraid the same was going to happen to the one I loved the most.The film is about a boy, Pete, who has escaped with his dragon, Elliot, from his abusive foster family. The two of them come to the town of Passamaquoddy, where they meet a lighthouse owner, Nora (Helen Reddy) and her father, played by Mickey Rooney.As far as the music goes, the songs are some of Disney's best. It's hard to point out highlights, since all of them are so memorable. My favorite might be the film's first song, "The Happiest Home in These Hills," which is as memorable of an opening as could be. They say that in most films, the part you remember the least is the beginning. But in Pete's Dragon, it's one of the best scenes. The choreography and the creepiness of Pete's orphan family chasing him through the swampy forest is still ingrained in my head all these years later and sets the tone for the rest of the film.But the dark tone shifts a lot throughout and we end up getting more of a campy musical feel the rest of the way out. But at least that's what it wants to be.Elliot, the dragon, is as adorable as any Disney character. He brightens up the screen whenever he's on it. In fact, the biggest problem is probably the fact that he only gets 22 minutes of total screen time in a movie that's 134 minutes.It's still better than the original plan, which was to have him absent in the movie altogether. Instead, remaining in Pete's imagination only. What we get is better than nothing.Most films back then aren't without their issues, and neither is Pete's Dragon. It has its fair share of plot holes. It doesn't make much sense why Pete waits almost the entire movie to show Elliot to Nora. He has no reason to hide him from her. But if you throw in nostalgia, these things don't really matter as much.It's a fun movie. Kids will enjoy it, and it's completely tolerable for adults.Twizard Rating: 92
myspecialparadise Another classic from Disney ... this is a movie I actually find myself watching ... and smiling. The talent is a mixture of classic actors from an era long gone, and replaced, all too often, by actors that just don't have the magic needed to engulf us with a hundred and one emotions.Red Buttons, Shelley Winters, Mickey Rooney, and many of the musical industries best dancers that have worked with stars like Jane Powell, Shirley Jones, and Kathryn Grayson. I did notice one of the male dancers that was also dancing up a storm in Seven Brides For Seven Brothers.Sean Marshall is the perfect Pete ... and it was refreshing to hear someone else say that entertaining is wonderful, but the fame is the pits! I often wonder how people like the stars of this little gem deal with the fame. Imagine having perfect strangers running up to you ... wanting autographs, and to just touch you, as if whatever you've got may rub-off on them.Helen Reddy was excellent as Nora ... the entire cast was perfect casting. If you are into feel good musicals ... on one of those rainy blue Mondays ... this film is for you.The songs are catchy ... you'll have them roaming through the corridors of your mind for days! That's Entertainmant!
OllieSuave-007 In the tradition of Mary Poppins and Bedknobs and Brooksticks, this movie combines live action and animation, courtesy of the animated Pete's dragon friend called Elliott. Set in New England in the early 20th century, nine-year-old Pete escapes his abusive adoptive parents, the Gogans, with Elliott and journey to Passamaquoddy, Maine, where they indirectly cause of ruckus among the townspeople. Pete and Elliott are taken in by lighthouse keeper Nora (Helen Reddy) and her father, Lampie (Mickey Rooney), but Elliott is spotted by con artist Dr. Terminus (Jim Dale), who wants to use Elliott for fame.The interaction between Pete and Elliott were quite touching and the special effects for animation and live action were neat. The location of the story - in the ocean/harbor sides of Maine - gives you a carefree and lazy-day feel, making you want to relax and contemplate things you've done in your life. The acting is a little off-the-wall, which coincided with a long, drawn-out and excitement-lacking plot that made this movie more on the boring side.The song, "Candle on the Water," sung by Helen Reddy, is a breath of fresh air in the film - soothing and emotionally connecting that gives a strong message of treading on despite hard times.Overall, this film is far too long for its lack of intrigue, and more on the whimsical side that is best left for the little kids to watch.Grade C
mike48128 What a surprise! Much better than I remembered it. Great songs and cast with great performances by Red Buttons and Mickey Rooney. Shelly Winters plays a wonderfully-horrible villain with "blackout" teeth. A simple story about a magical dragon that only Pete can see (at first) and clever dragon mechanical effects: Pete riding Elliott, toasting apples, dragon footprints, his "outline" on the schoolhouse wall, thrashing around inside a whale-sized net. The dragon animation by Don Bluth is fanciful, which is good because this is a children's' movie. Some technical glitches, as the "yellowscreen" (sodium vapor) process renders Elliott the Dragon somewhat prone to minor color-"timing" shifts. But this is not something that kids care about anyway. Some of the songs are way too long or are there just too many songs? When shown on "broadcast" TV it was often abridged. Like "Bedknobs and Broomsticks" it attempted to become the next "Mary Poppins" and we will have to see how that works out when its upcoming sequel appears. My two favorite segments are Helen Reddy rolling around on exploding beer barrels (ridiculously fun!) in the town pub, and the "Professor's 3-part musical "rant" "using every little piece" of Elliott the Dragon in potions and powders Although "Candle on the Water" is the Oscar-nominated song, Red Buttons and Mickey Rooney round out a great cast I bet your kids start humming "Brazzle-Dazzle Day" as the movie ends! Remade in 2016 with a friendly, furry, green (CGI) dragon.