Once Upon a Forest Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Three forest critters learn a valuable lesson about not playing near busy roads after a truck spills toxic waste and one of their friends gets super sick.

🍿 Once Upon a Forest: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Dapplewood and the Furlings

The film opens in Dapplewood, a peaceful forest inhabited by anthropomorphic animals called Furlings. We are introduced to Abigail, a wood mouse; Edgar, a mole; Russell, a hedgehog; and Michelle, a badger, who are all students of Cornelius, an elderly badger and Michelle’s uncle. Cornelius teaches them about the dangers of the human world and the importance of respecting nature.

The Chemical Spill

Tragedy strikes when a tanker truck crashes nearby, releasing poisonous gas into Dapplewood. Michelle is exposed to the gas while searching for her parents, who are tragically killed. Abigail manages to pull Michelle away, but she falls gravely ill from the toxic fumes. The remaining Furlings must now embark on a perilous journey to find rare herbs that can cure Michelle.

The Journey to Find the Herbs

The Furlings set out on their quest, facing various dangers along the way, including crossing a busy road and encountering predators. They must overcome their individual fears and learn to work together to achieve their goal. During their journey, they encounter Phineas, a gospel-singing bird, who helps them on their way. The journey is fraught with peril, emphasizing the fragility of their world.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Cornelius (Michael Crawford): A wise and caring badger and teacher who guides the furlings and provides them with essential knowledge.
• Abigail (Ellen Blain): A brave and adventurous wood mouse who leads the quest to save her friend.
• Edgar (Benji Gregory): A cautious and intelligent mole who uses his knowledge to aid the group.
• Russell (Paige Gosney): A greedy but loyal hedgehog who learns the importance of friendship and sacrifice.
• Michelle (Elisabeth Moss): The young badger whose accidental poisoning sets the furlings on their dangerous journey.
• Phineas (Ben Vereen): A charismatic gospel-singing bird who helps the furlings on their quest.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Cornelius: “Well, what do you have to say?” – Cornelius asks this of Edgar after Edgar and his friends are late and get in trouble.
• Cornelius: “Now listen to me, and listen good!” – Cornelius emphasizes the seriousness of the situation and the importance of their mission to the young furlings.
• Abigail: “We’ll find the herbs, Cornelius, we promise!” – Abigail reassures Cornelius that they will succeed in their mission to save Michelle.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $13,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $6,582,052
• Worldwide Gross: $6,582,052

💥 Once Upon a Forest Reviews

Personal Review

As a kid, ‘Once Upon a Forest’ had me completely captivated. The idea of these tiny creatures embarking on such a big adventure to save their friend was so heartwarming, and the songs were incredibly emotional. The ‘Please Wake Up’ scene still gets me every time. It’s a bit preachy now, but it made me care about the environment, and for that, I’ll always love it.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Families looking for animated adventures”
  • “Viewers interested in environmental themes”
  • “Fans of classic 90s animation”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Death of parents”
  • “Environmental disaster themes”
  • “Scenes of animals in peril”

Professional Reviews

• IMDB: “Despite its noble environmental message, ‘Once Upon a Forest’ falls short with bland characters and a predictable plot, making it a forgettable entry in the 90s animation scene. However, the animation is good and songs are memorable.
• Common Sense Media: “This animated film delivers an eco-friendly message effectively, but some scenes may be intense for younger viewers. The characters are endearing, and the adventure promotes courage and teamwork.

Audience Reactions

The emotional depth and message about environmental responsibility resonated strongly with viewers.: Many praised the movie’s heartfelt story, memorable songs, and positive messages about friendship and environmentalism.

Some viewers were scared by the movie.: Viewers felt that the gas in the movie had traumatizing scenes.

Overall Consensus: A nostalgic, heartfelt animated film with a strong environmental message, though some find it preachy or too intense for young children.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was originally conceived as a television movie before being retooled as a theatrical release.”
• “Ten minutes of footage, including a swan character voiced by Glenn Close, were cut due to budget and time constraints.”
• “Michael Crawford stated he had a difficult time singing the song ‘Please Wake Up’ as it was a grown-up singing to a child who was on the verge of dying, and he had to struggle not to cry while recording.”

🖥️ How to Watch Once Upon a Forest?

As of October 2024, “Once Upon a Forest” is available for purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Check your preferred streaming service for availability as options may vary by region. It is often available for rent or purchase on these platforms.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Once Upon a Forest, you might like these similar films:

• FernGully: The Last Rainforest (1992): Shares similar environmental themes and focuses on the impact of human actions on nature.
• The Secret of NIMH (1982): Features anthropomorphic animals on a dangerous quest, emphasizing courage and friendship in the face of adversity.
• The Plague Dogs (1982): An animated film with a serious and dark tone exploring themes of animal cruelty and the relationship between humans and animals.
• Over the Hedge (2006): Deals with animals confronting human encroachment on their habitat, offering a more comedic take on environmental themes.

🛒 Once Upon a Forest Related Products

• Once Upon a Forest VHS Tape: A nostalgic piece of animation history, perfect for collectors and fans of classic children’s movies. Features the original artwork and packaging.
• Once Upon a Forest Movie Poster: A beautiful reprint of the original movie poster, perfect for decorating a child’s room or a fan’s collection. High-quality print on durable paper.
• ‘Save Our Forest’ T-Shirt: A stylish t-shirt with a design inspired by ‘Once Upon a Forest,’ promoting environmental awareness. Made from comfortable, sustainable materials.
• Furling Plush Toy Set: A set of plush toys featuring the main characters of the movie: Abigail, Edgar, and Russell. Soft, huggable, and perfect for kids of all ages.

🎧 Soundtrack

Once Upon a Forest features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Please Wake Up” – performed by Michael Crawford
• “He’s Gone/He’s Back” – performed by Andrae Crouch Singers
• “Once Upon a Time With Me” – performed by Florence Warner Jones

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Nostalgia Critic – Rheumatism Compilation

Ever found yourself cringing at the ‘Rheumatism’ bit in Once Upon a Forest? The Nostalgia Critic hilariously dissects it (and more!) in this compilation. It’s kinda brutal, but so funny!

Once Upon A Forest – The Road

Curious how fans interpret key scenes in Once Upon A Forest? This short clip focuses on ‘The Road’ scene and offers a unique, fan-made perspective. Check it out and see if it aligns with your own interpretation!

✨ Rate