Heidi's Song

I have always loved this animated version of Heidi's song. It broke my heart when my daughters dog chewed my other one up, but now I keep this one only for me!

Timing is everything, especially when a feature film is released. When Hanna-Barbera released "Heidi's Song" in 1982 through Paramount, family films had become more edgy and sophisticated, while this warmhearted musical was something that might have been more widely embraced in the mid-60s, when "The Sound of Music" was a Hollywood smash.It's very possible that Hanna-Barbera had "Heidi's Song" in the production pipeline for many years, assigning artists to it between TV series projects. Apparently it was a difficult film for Hanna-Barbera to complete. I recall a 1982 cover story in Millimeter Magazine in which director Robert Taylor (DuckTales, Aladdin and the King of Thieves, Men in Black: The Series) was attached to the film and some of it had to be redone.Hanna and Barbera were clearly hoping for a Disney-type classic that would perhaps live on as an example of what they could do with the right amount of money and time. "Heidi's Song" really does show a lot more loving care -- and a much higher frame rate resulting in above-average animation fluidity by HB standards -- than most of their TV animation of the 70s and early 80s.Story must have been a challenge, too, but William Hanna, Joseph Barbera, director Taylor and co-writer Jameson Brewer gave it their best shot. Like so many children's tales, Heidi may not have had enough plot to sustain an animated feature in the Disney tradition. So, like Disney, the filmmakers came up with many clever ways to keep things moving and add to the plot, including subplots with dogs and cats -- which are, of course, Hanna-Barbera specialties.Among the film's biggest strengths is its score. Anyone who appreciates fine movie or show music will want to play this DVD on a stereo system to fully appreciate the scope of the music of Burton Lane (Finian's Rainbow) with lyrics by Sammy Cahn (Disney's Peter Pan, among many others). This is also the only major HB feature film arranged and conducted by house musical director Hoyt Curtin. It's a joy to hear what he could do with a gigantic orchestra and chorus (including Hollywood's best singers including Gene Merlino and BJ Baker).There are so many songs, though, that some of them advance the plot ("A Christmas-sy Day," for example, covers the time in which Heidi adjusts to mountain life and bonds with her Grandfather), while others suspend the story. These are delightful, but not always crucial to the story. As Disneylike at "Heidi's Song" is, the film has roughly twice the amount of songs and musical set pieces than the average Disney fairy tale feature.By the way, the box claims that there are 16 original songs and there are indeed 16 musical "segments," but some are reprises and instrumentals, as I have noted here:Overture (Orchestra & Chorus)Good at Making FriendsHeidi's Nightmare (Orchestra)A Christmas-sy DayHeidiAn Armful of SunshineHeidi (reprise)Frankfurt (Orchestra)She's a NothingAn Armful of Sunshine (reprise)Monkey Theme (Orchestra)ImagineAn Unkind WordThat's What Friends Are ForOde to a RatEnd Title, including "Wunderhorn" (Orchestra & Chorus)The voice cast is not star studded, but rather filled with the superstars of Hanna-Barbera and cartoons in general -- like Janet Waldo, Michael Bell, Joan Gerber, Pamelyn Ferdin, Fritz Feld, Frank Welker and others. Stage star Margery Gray (the wife of Fliddler on the Roof lyricist Sheldon Harnick) voices Heidi.On the celebrity side, Lorne Greene bellows nicely as Grandfather and Sammy Davis Jr. brings the film to an even higher level with the excellent "Ode to a Rat," a spectacular example of design, animation and especially the dazzling brass section so associated with Hanna-Barbera TV theme songs.The rat sequence near the film's end, as well as the nightmare sequence near the beginning, could be scary for the very young children. Therein lies the dilemma with films like Heidi's Song, Annie and others with a primary appeal for girls but not for boys. Knowing this, HB's team added the darker moments as well as the dog, cat, and monkey mayhem. This only makes it harder to decide if Heidi's Song works for everyone.It sure does for me, because I loved it when Hanna-Barbera reached higher than the usual level of TV animation. Personally, I think "Charlotte's Web" was their crowning achievement in theatrical films, but each one is a fascinating experience."Heidi's Song" makes a particularly great listening experience. The 1982 K-Tel soundtrack album, released on vinyl, was a story record that emphasized dialogue and edited the music. A full-fledged musical soundtrack album was not released.Now that this DVD is available, it's like having a soundtrack album. Okay, the movie can be as sticky as microwaved Jujubees, but c'mon now, that "Wunderhorn" tune is pretty magnificent in full stereo! Maybe if this DVD-R does well enough, the picture can be fully restored for Blu-ray.

I couldn’t remember the name of the movie for a long time but when I saw my mistake and was able to find it I was extremely happy about seeing this old classic

I loved watching this as a kid. My mom bought the vhs for my sister and I and we would watch it over and over again. Unfortunately, we moved and somehow the movie was lost but after searching and searching I finally found it here for a reasonable price.The disc arrived in an accurate time frame and the picture is very clear. However, the volume is not at all what I expected as throughout the entire film the volume goes up & down on its own and in certain scenes the characters have echos when speaking. Im not sure if the seller was unaware or simply didnt mention it out of fear it wouldnt get purchased if buyers were aware. I have to use my tv remote to change the volume up & down trying to hear it instead of enjoying the movie with my baby. Because of this I rate 4 stars.

As with apparently every other reviewer here, this film made a huge impression on my childhood, and I lately found myself thinking about it and tracked it down. After watching it again I was not disillusioned one bit--it is a masterpiece of a children's movie like Disney managed two or three times long ago and nobody bothers to make anymore. When was the last time your daughter watched an animated tale with an actual overture? In constrast to the wannabe-pop thing the big corporations have been dealing lately, with their frantically quipping heroes and slapstick animal sidekicks, this movie gives leash to the kind of magic usually left to the Grimms. There is indeed an undiluted evil-stepmother type figure (who is laughed at in due time.) There is also a dream sequence in which Heidi is abducted (to her soon delight) by mythical spirits of the wind. The Swiss mountain "Wonderhorn" where Heidi lives with her Grandfather is carefully built up to an Eden-like magnificence that will heal everyone who crosses there. Interspersed are many moments of humor and spunk, including a charmingly wicked song and dance by rats. As a bottom line, it feels like a lovingly crafted production--even children know when they are watching fluff. Show it to them, and they will notice the difference.

I must've watched it more than a 100 times when I was a little girl! The music is wonderful, the animation smooth for its day, the voice acting is great! Heidi's great determination to be cheerful and always make the best of her situation is what makes her character admirable! When I was little, I'd always enjoyed the dream sequence because of all the imaginative creatures and bright colors. I still found myself laughing at the ballroom ghost sequence and I was still smiling by the end of this rich cartoon.This last year I began searching for it and found the VHS offered on Amazon. But I wanted the DVD. My waiting was rewarded. :) And it was at a lower price! Made it even better.There is a lot of singing in it (8 songs or so). But the story of how one little girl changes several lives by her positive outlook and kind nature is more than worth it!Family appropriate. :)

It's as wonderful and awful as all the cartoons I grew up with. Felt wonderful waves of nostalgia watching this one. The kids were less impressed, but I bought this one for me!

I remember watching this movie when I was a kid recently I just came across one of the songs on YouTube and found it here on Amazon it's really held up a lot after not seeing it for a long time great for people of all ages

An old cartoon I remembered from a young age and found it. So I brought it. Have not watched it yet.

A disney feeling cartoon of the classic story of Heidi with songs to sing along, singing rats, a sweet little girl who talks to animals, even a psychedelic scene with the mountain creatures.A childhood movie of mine that i am crying in happiness to find of DVD so thank you for having this here

just as I remember from when I was a kid, loved this film and now my daughter loves it too, so happy

Good graphics and music, lovely film. Dvd plays on region 2 disc player.

Fantastic DVD delivered in good time! Excellent quality, works in Australian region despite being US import.