Hans Brinker, Or The Silver Skates

BEHIND THE SCENES & TRIVIA: Shot on location in Amsterdam, and the towns of Camperduin and Volendam. The ice skating races on the frozen lake and river were shot in Sweden according to the Disney film book by Harry Tytle. Harry was the European Disney Representative overseeing film project s for many years. Like many of the films made in Europe under Walt Disney's guidance, this film was made with local actors and crew with the exception of a few administrative special positions. The art director, cameramen, wardrobe, sound, lights, and set construction was all provided by local talent. The very capable acting was all local talent as well. The film was directed by Norman Foster and he also acted as the local associate producer, (Walt's name always appeared as producer), and had previously directed some of the episodes of Davy Crockett, Zorro, and Elfego Baca shows for Disney. He also makes an appearance in the October 27, 1954 show The Disneyland Story". Mr. Foster also wrote the screenplay for this film based upon the classic book of the same name by Mary Maples Dodge. A co-director from the region worked with Foster on the set. The music was by one of the long-time Disney Studio staff composers, Oliver Wallace who won an Academy Award ® for his work on Dumbo, as well as working on scores for Cinderella, Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, and Lady and the Tramp. The artwork that Hans sketches throughout the film was created by an artist hired for the film, Joshua Meador.The film was made for the television show "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color" as a two episode movie airing January 7 & 14, 1962. It aired three years later on April 18 & 25, 1965. The episodes were edited together for European theatrical release as a movie in 1963. Unlike many Disney films, this one had not been released to the VHS rental market in the 1980's and so this is the first release for the U.S.A. home market. The new DVD was released on September 7, 2004. The picture and sound were clear and bright. The aspect ratio is 1.33:1. Total length is 90 minutes.This films works in a big part because Walt Disney allowed his producers to go to Europe and film on location with local acting talent, scenery, and a local film crew for authenticity. No backlot recreations of Dutch villages, or dubious Dutch period costumes would do, he strove for authenticity and it shows. Leonard Maltin calls this film, "First Rate" and I heartily agree. The exciting story, cast, costumes, culture and scenery all come together just right in a quickly paced film. This is a great family film, and the way the family comes together to help each other is a great role model for any family.THE STORY: This highly recommended period film is about the lives of the Brinker family who lives in a rural Dutch village near the Zuider Zee. The father Raff, is a fisherman and although the family is poor they are a very close and happy family. His teenage son Hans is a budding artist who helps his family, but would like to go to school to become a professional artist. His father not only supports this, but has been saving money towards his education. Teenage daughter Gretel helps at home and is very talented with her own skills in making lace. Mother Hilda keeps them all together, but when tragedy strikes the family when Raff is injured they are challenged. Hans and his sister quickly chip in to find inventive ways to earn income to eat and afford their fathers medical care. When Hans and Gretel learn of a big ice skating race with a cash prize race, they decide to join in. There is some romance as Hans and a girl fall in love, but her wealthy father will not allow her to see someone of that is not in the upper class.

This movie was filmed for the Disney anthology TV series "Walt Disney's Wonderful World Of Color" (also known as "The Wonderful World Of Color") and was shown in two parts on January 7 & 14, 1962. The film was released theatrically outside the United States in 1964. I consider this film among Disney's best live-action films of its time. The film is based on Mary Mapes Dodge's classic 1865 book of the same title. It is a shame that the book and film are both unknown by most people, because both are very special. The story has everything I want in a film - characters I can admire and care about, who overcome numerous hardships and earn their happy ending. The scenery is beautiful - filmed in the Zuider Zee area of Holland near the scenic communities of Comperduin and Volendam, as well as at Rembrandt's home in Amsterdam. The winter scenes for the skating races were filmed in Sweden. The basic plot is of a brother and sister trying to win a skating race for money for their father's operation. He needs an operation due to brain damage from a head injury. The family is also desperately poor, because only the father knows where their savings are hidden - and he cannot remember. The story is full of adventure, hardship, mystery, and the love of a family for each other. I first remember this film from seeing it on the Disney Channel in the mid 1980s. I have enjoyed watching the film numerous times over the years and am thrilled to finally have a chance to buy it on DVD.

What a great kid's movie. I gave my granddaughters Barbie dolls of the world; among them Dutch Barbie. I always try to find books and films for children that will give them additional background on whatever country their dolls are from. They thoroughly enjoyed this great old Disney Film which teaches familial love and compassion as well as self sacrifice. The countryside was just beautiful and the village was so authentic looking with the fishing boats. Costumes were very authentic....one expects that from Disney. The reclamation of the land from the sea was in the introduction to the film and was so well explained. References are made to the many famous Dutch painters. Of course the book it was based on is a classic. Disney didn't let me down. The plot moved right along and the acting was solid. Definitely for the young....and very well done. A very nice oldie but goodie.

I bought one copy for myself and 2 other copies for my 2 sisters.

The story of a young-man and his family who live in Holland along the Zeider-Zee (Southern-Sea).Filmed in Holland and Sweden with Dutch actors / ice-skaters. Disney-color.Hans is poor. The girl he loves is wealthy. The girl's father wants her to date only wealthy boys. The wealthy rival gives Hans trouble.Half of Holland was once ocean; made into dry farmland, by building dikes / dams, and draining the water by windmill-driven-pumps into canals. One city in Holland reaches 23-feet below sea-level.A story of action, adventure, friendships, and family. Will Hans win the 26-mile ice-skating race and the prize-money he needs?This Disney-version is the best version. The other version is pleasant, and has several ok songs; but this Disney-version has more story and more drama.

I love this movie! I remember being very young (early seventies) and going to see this movie with my whole 2nd grade class. And now to be able to see this again after so many years, bring brings back great momories. Oh sure, the acting is not academy award worthy, but it's message and it's feel-good ending is what this movie is all about. And watching this also reminds me of Sunday nights in front of the television watching Disney movies.... So order this movie, sit back an let yourself remember when life was innocent.

Arrivé en très bonne condition et avant la date prévue. Ma mère cherchait ce film depuis des années. Il contient bel et bien le doublage français. Beau petit film agréable.

... overall condition of DVD good and working well without problems .The movie itself a bit on the slow side, the acting mediocre - a few nice sceneries though .

My Mom and I watched it right away and we love it. I remember watching it when I was a kid on a black & white t.v. (hate dating myself lol) and watching it again took me back to a wonderfully happy time with my father.My Mom loves it too.

This is a great family film; just the same as when I saw it on television on "The Wonderful World of Disney" as a child. Amazon offered it for a very fair price and I received it about two days after placing my order. Great service and value!

It a movie what else is there to say.