An American Tail Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A mouse family moves to America to avoid cats, but the littlest one gets lost and spends the whole movie playing hide-and-seek with his parents in a city overrun by, you guessed it, cats!

🍿 An American Tail: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Leaving Russia

In 1886, Shostka, Russia, the Mousekewitz family, Jewish mice, faces persecution from cats. After a violent attack, Papa Mousekewitz decides to take his family to America, believing there are no cats there. This sets the stage for their journey and the film’s central theme of immigration and hope for a better life.

Separation at Sea

During their voyage to America, a fierce storm separates young Fievel Mousekewitz from his family. He’s washed overboard, lost at sea. This pivotal moment marks the beginning of Fievel’s solo adventure, filled with challenges and the relentless pursuit of reuniting with his loved ones.

New York Arrival and Challenges

Fievel arrives in New York City alone and encounters various characters, both helpful and deceitful. He’s tricked into working in a sweatshop, highlighting the exploitation faced by many immigrants. Despite these hardships, Fievel remains determined to find his family, showcasing his resilience and unwavering spirit.

Friends and Foes

Amidst the chaos of New York, Fievel befriends Tony Toponi, an Italian mouse, and Bridget, an Irish mouse activist. They assist him in his search, while also facing the ongoing threat of cats, led by the disguised Warren T. Rat. This segment builds towards an epic showdown between the mice and the cats.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Fievel Mousekewitz (Phillip Glasser): A young and hopeful Russian mouse who gets separated from his family and embarks on a journey to find them in America.
• Papa Mousekewitz (Nehemiah Persoff): Fievel’s father, a loving and optimistic mouse who believes in the promise of America and the importance of family.
• Mama Mousekewitz (Erica Yohn): Fievel’s mother, a practical and caring mouse who worries about her family’s safety and well-being in a new and uncertain land.
• Tanya Mousekewitz (Amy Green): Fievel’s older sister, who shares a strong bond with him and a longing to reunite their family.
• Tiger (Dom DeLuise): A kind-hearted and vegetarian cat who befriends Fievel and helps him on his quest, defying typical cat behavior.
• Warren T. Rat (John Finnegan): The deceptive and villainous rat who scams immigrants and is secretly a cat, exploiting the mice community for his own gain.
• Henri (Christopher Plummer): A French pigeon and the builder of the Statue of Liberty who encourages Fievel and offers him hope in his search.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Papa Mousekewitz: “In America, there are no cats.” – Papa Mousekewitz says this iconic line to reassure his family that America will be a safe haven from the cat persecution they face in Russia, setting the stage for their journey.
• Fievel: “Papa!” – Fievel shouts this repeatedly as he searches desperately for his father throughout New York City, representing his unwavering hope.
• Henri: “Never say never, Fievel.” – Henri encourages Fievel to remain optimistic despite his dire circumstances, reinforcing the film’s theme of hope.
• Papa Mousekewitz: “My son! Now, you are a mouse.” – Papa proudly says this after returning Fievel’s hat when it finally fits, showing his son has grown and truly belongs in America.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $9,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $47,483,002
• Worldwide Gross: $84,542,002

💥 An American Tail Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this as a kid and being completely captivated by Fievel’s journey. The scene where he’s separated from his family on the ship was heartbreaking, and I was on the edge of my seat, hoping they’d find each other. ‘Somewhere Out There’ is still one of my favorite movie songs. Re-watching it as an adult, I appreciate the deeper themes of immigration and the struggle for a better life.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Families with young children.”
  • “Fans of classic animated films.”
  • “Those interested in stories about immigration and perseverance.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild peril and scary scenes (cats).”
  • “Themes of separation and loss.”
  • “Brief depiction of sweatshop labor.”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “A charming tale with beautiful animation, although it sometimes leans heavily on sentimentality, especially in its musical numbers. Still, the historical context adds a layer of depth.
• RogerEbert.com: “An American Tail is a heartwarming film that deals with the immigrant experience with a surprising amount of sincerity. The animation is top-notch, and the story is engaging for both children and adults.
• Variety: “An American Tail is a colorful and exciting animated feature that tells a touching story about family, immigration, and the American Dream. While the darker themes might be intense for very young children, the overall message is uplifting.

Audience Reactions

The song ‘Somewhere Out There’ always makes me tear up. It’s so beautiful and perfectly captures the feeling of longing and hope.: Viewers consistently praise the film’s emotional depth, beautiful animation, and memorable songs, especially ‘Somewhere Out There.’

The animation is amazing! It is so much more engaging than most movies today.: Many viewers praise the animation that has stood the test of time.

Overall Consensus: An American Tail is a beloved animated classic celebrated for its emotional storytelling, beautiful animation, and memorable music, although some find the darker themes intense for very young viewers.

Awards

1. Golden Globe Award (Best Original Song)- 1987

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Fievel was named after Steven Spielberg’s grandfather, a nod to his own family’s immigrant history.”
• “The film’s darker tone and themes of immigration were a departure from typical animated fare at the time.”
• “James Horner’s score, particularly ‘Somewhere Out There,’ won a Grammy Award and became a major hit, boosting the film’s popularity.”

🖥️ How to Watch An American Tail?

An American Tail is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability and pricing. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray may also be available for purchase online or in stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed An American Tail, you might like these similar films:

• The Secret of NIMH (1982): Directed by Don Bluth, this film shares a similar animation style and darker, more mature themes compared to typical children’s movies.
• Oliver & Company (1988): An animated film about an orphaned kitten navigating New York City, similar to Fievel’s journey of survival and finding a new family.
• Anastasia (1997): Another Don Bluth animated film with a historical setting and a protagonist searching for their family, with a similar blend of adventure and emotion.
• Paddington (2014): A modern film about a young, displaced individual finding their way in a new city and seeking acceptance, mirroring the immigrant experience in a family-friendly way.

🛒 An American Tail Related Products

• An American Tail: The Complete Collection: Includes An American Tail, An American Tail: Fievel Goes West, and An American Tail: The Treasure of Manhattan Island. Relive all the adventures in one digital collection.
• Funko Pop! Movies: An American Tail – Fievel: A stylized collectible vinyl figure of Fievel Mousekewitz. Perfect for displaying your love of the movie.
• An American Tail (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Relive the magic with James Horner’s beautiful score, including ‘Somewhere Out There’.
• An American Tail Movie Poster: This poster is made of silk and looks great on walls!

🎧 Soundtrack

An American Tail features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Somewhere Out There” – performed by James Horner
• “There Are No Cats in America” – performed by James Horner
• “Never Say Never” – performed by James Horner
• “A Duo” – performed by James Horner

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

An American Tail: Fievel Goes West – Nostalgia Critic

Ever wonder why the ‘An American Tail’ sequel didn’t quite live up to the original? The Nostalgia Critic dives deep and hilariously dissects it. Honestly, he brings up some really good points that I hadn’t even considered!

Everything Wrong With An American Tail in 14 Minutes or Less

CinemaSins strikes again, and this time it’s ‘An American Tail’ in the hot seat! They point out all the little things that you might have missed (or tried to ignore). It’s all in good fun, though!

Did you know this about FIEVEL GOES WEST

Did you know Steven Spielberg directed Jimmy Stewart in ‘Fievel Goes West’? How awesome is that!?

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