#118: The Old Mill
Part of the Top 150 Films series
I’m not sure what it says about me that my favourite Disney film is a nine minute short about woodland animals grouping together in the midst of a storm, and released before the studio’s first feature effort. At least I’m in good company with Hayao Miyazaki! Famous in animation circles as marking the first use of Disney’s multiplane camera, The Old Mill also incorporates realistic depictions of animal behaviour, complex lighting and colour effects, representations of extremely harsh weather still impressive to this day, and impeccable timing to induce a substantial emotional impact out of an unforgiving and un-human nature. It’s the emotional element that elevates the film above mere technical exercise, with the water wheel scene alone being my personal Bambi’s mother and Mufasa combined. Though many lessons were learned and incorporated into future Disney efforts, the ability to connect with its audience was paramount from this film onwards.
