The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977)

Disney has created a whole slew of characters that a lot people recognize. From Mickey Mouse to Goofy, these and many more have become iconic in the realm of entertainment for many people. But one such character wasn't created by Disney, and that was Winnie the Pooh, originally created by author A. A. Milne. The company created several shorts with the character in question, before settling on a feature film. And that was 1977's “The Many Adventurist of Winnie the Pooh”. While it is obvious that it's just a bunch of shorts to make up a feature length production, the stories themselves are quite memorable, to say the least, With clever scenarios and a huge supply of imagination, “The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” is a fun and simple feature that is sure to entertain most everybody.

The main story has three individual shorts compiled together to create one big feature. The first involves Winnie the Pooh (Sterling Holloway), or Pooh for short, trying to get some honey from a tree, only get stuck in Rabbit's (Junius Matthews) hole. The second has a gust of wind lead to a rather stormy day in which the surrounding area is flooded; this also is the short that introduces the character of Tigger (Paul Winchell). And finally, the third story has Tigger causing mischief, that Rabbit decides to do something about it. There is also an epilogue where Pooh is conversing with his best friend Christopher Robin (Bruce Reitherman, Jon Walmsley and Timothy Turner in the shorts, with Walmsley returning for the epilogue) and discussing the inevitable future.

“The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” is definitely a throwback to childhood. What this means, is that children will more than definitely enjoy this, but adults will watch this and reflect on a much more simpler time. It may be nostalgia creeping up with viewers, but one cannot simply deny that at one point in our childhoods, we were given the opportunity to watch Winnie the Pooh, and enjoyed it greatly.

As for the movie itself, it's actually quite good.

Each of the three stories have a beginning, middle, and end, which makes viewing them individually a nice little touch. The last one feels as if we're reading the epilogue to a book; ironically enough, the whole presentation is done via book where all of the characters interact with.

Speaking of the characters, each one is memorable and unique with their own type of charisma and charm. From the humble Pooh, to the timid Piglet (John Fiedler), and even the bouncy Tigger who is full of energy. Every character is special and can relate to someone in their own special way.

The animation is also handled very well. From beautiful detailed backgrounds, to character designs that have become iconic, there is something for everyone to enjoy here. Plus, there is a hint of surrealism in the 'Hefalumps and Woozles' segment during the second story.

The songs are also great. Done by Richard and Robert Sherman, the songs can either bring out the jollity of the situation at hand, and the funnest moments of the environment. And even though they only take up two-thirds of the feature, the songs definitely singable and memorable to boot.

If there is any negative criticism it would be that once you realize that it's just a bunch of shorts compiled together to make one long feature, and the only new segment is some brief interludes and the ending, then there is a sense of disappointment coming over. But again, that's the only negative thing that I could at least find with the film that was wrong.

Overall, “The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” is a brilliant look at imagination, and a sense of looking back to the past. I would say that if you're convinced on the charm that Winnie the Pooh has on everyone, then see this film to prove your doubts.