Thumbelina [G]

When a lonely woman wishes for a child to call her own, she is blessed with a lovely little girl named Thumbelina, so named because she is the size of the woman’s thumb. Sad that she is the only person in the world her size, Thumbelina soon finds love when she meets Cornelius, the fairy prince, who asks for her hand in marriage. Before the vows can be made though, Thumbelina is kidnapped by a toad and soon finds herself alone and lost in the forest with all manner of terrible suitors after her. But, if she follows her heart, Thumbelina may just find the strength and courage to find the Vale of the Fairies and marry her true love. 

This is another animated classic from my childhood. By no means as dazzling as a Disney production, Thumbelina is nonetheless a beautiful animated movie from Don Bluth and Gary Goldman who brought is other such classics as Rock-a-Doodle and Anastasia. Based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen, Thumbelina is a lovely film: one of my favourites growing up. 

When a lonely woman wishes for a child to call her own, she is blessed with a lovely little girl named Thumbelina, so named because she is the size of the woman’s thumb. Sad that she is the only person in the world her size, Thumbelina soon finds love when she meets Cornelius, the fairy prince, who asks for her hand in marriage. Before the vows can be made though, Thumbelina is kidnapped by a toad and soon finds herself alone and lost in the forest with all manner of terrible suitors after her. But, if she follows her heart, Thumbelina may just find the strength and courage to find the Vale of the Fairies and marry her true love. 

The animation is not the standard of Disney, but it’s enchanting nonetheless, but what really makes this movie for me is the beautiful soundtrack composed by Barry Manilow. The love duet of the two romantic leads, Let Me Be Your Wings, is equally as beautiful as Can You Feel the Love Tonight or Beauty and the Beast. 

The film delivers a strong and positive message to the junior audience: follow your heart and nothing is impossible, but the appeal for the adults lies in the beautiful songs, the sometimes-clever script and song lyrics, and the excellent voice work. 

Featuring the voice talents of Jodi Benson who also provided us with the voice of Ariel in The Little Mermaid, Gino Conforti, Barbara Cook, June Foray, Kenneth Mars, Gary Imhoff, Charo, Gilbert Gottfried, Carol Channing, and John hurt, Thumbelina is a lovely little animated classic from my childhood that still stands up in my adulthood: although that could be the nostalgia factor. Filled with romance, music, magic, beauty, lovable characters, and adventure, it’s a movie that may seem childish to some, but I am proud to have it in my collection. 

Let me be your wings. Let me be your only love. Let me take you far beyond the stars.