So Dear to My Heart (January 19, 1949)

I had never heard about this movie before embarking on this Disney Animated film watching project. I wondered why Disney did not promote it like it does segments from the package films of the decade. After watching the movie, I found I really enjoyed it and feel strongly that more people should give it a chance. So Dear to My Heart is a charming story about a boy who lives on a farm and his determination to raise a black sheep that was rejected by his mother. He believes it is special and his goal is to enter it into the county fair in order to win a blue ribbon. It is a simple and wholesome tale of a friendship between a boy and his pet sheep and is live action with charming animated segments that give the Black Sheep personality as well as include musical numbers sprinkled throughout. It is not a must watch for older audiences (although I particularly enjoyed the animated scenes as they were sweet and goofy) but I think it is a great film for younger children and worth remembering among Disney’s collection of films.

Final Rating: 6/10