Basil – the Great Mouse Detective,
is a welcome return to the Disney full-length animated feature films
of the sixties. In particular, 101 Dalmatians (1961),
which has always been one of the wittiest and most effective of the
studio's post-fifties output. In the intervening years Disney
have tried, without success, to capture the flavour and spirit of
films such as 101 Dalmatians and The Jungle Book
(1967). The Aristocats (1969) and Robin Hood
(1973), however, are almost carbon copies of Mowgli's romp in the
Indian jungle — they both utilise similar voice credits and
a rather avant-garde jazz score. The Fox and the Hound's
released in 1981 lacked character, whilst the excellent effects of
The Black Cauldron (1985) overshadowed any impact that the
film may of had.
The only feature-length animated picture that succeeded
during this period was The Rescuers (1977). Its emphasis
was on a good story and strong characters. It told how some
mice, living beneath the United Nations Building, bravely set off
to rescue a little orphan girl from the clutches of the evil Madam
Medusa.
Interestingly both The Rescuers and Basil
– the Great Mouse Detective feature mice. If that's
the secret of their success at the box-office, then it comes as no
surprise to learn that the profitability of the vast Disney organisation
owes its existence to a small rodent called Mickey Mouse. Mickey
has played the company's ambassador ever since, and many of his long
tailed friends have featured prominently in Disney films, whether
it's in a more naturalistic setting such as Bambi, battling with a
ferocious cat in Cinderella or imitating one of the world's
greatest detectives.
EDUCATED MOUSE
In their latest film, Basil is very much the educated
mouse. His little house, deep below the damp-course in the basement
of 221B Baker Street, is filled with all kinds of wonderful crime
detection devices. He spends his whole life exploring new ways
of capturing the villains of Mousedom.
Fiends who, in all respects, parody their human counterparts
on the foggy streets on the foggy streets of Victorian London.
But all of Basil's expert sleuthing is required for this, his greatest
adventure, a battle to the finish with his arch-enemy Professor Ratigan,
a repulsive smooth-talking individual whose rat brain schemes to overthrow
the Queen and become the supreme ruler of all Mousedom.
Unlike Sherlock Holmes who lives in the human world
above Basil's ceiling, the Great Mouse Detective usually works alone
on a case. Alone that is until Dr. Dawson appears on the scene,
a kindly "Watson" type of character who proves an invaluable
asset to Basil during his search for a kidnapped toymaker. This
poor wretch has been forced, against his will, to turn Ratigan's maniacal
plans of Mouse-domination into reality. En route Basil is aided
and abetted by Olivia Flaversham, the toymaker's daughter, and Toby,
Sherlock Holmes' faithful hound, who even though he towers above the
tiny mice leaves no stone unturned in his efforts to help them.
But Ratigan, unbeknown to Basil, has some sneaky
plans up his finely tailored sleeves, plans that will involve Fidget,
his peg-leg assistant, and an enormous feline 'mouser' called Felicia.
VINCENT PRICE
Creating the characters for Basil – the
Great Mouse Detective was a difficult but highly enjoyable task.
Professor Ratigan was originally to have been a thin wiry rodent.
But as he is a rat pretending to be a mouse (it's more than his henchmen's
lives are worth to say the opposite) it was decided to make him large
and flamboyant, making him a satisfactory contrast to the more agile
Basil. As soon as Vincent Price was chosen to voice the character,
Ratigan's evil demeanour changed even more.
Basil had to be as strong in character, otherwise
Ratigan would dominate the picture. Clever use of voice (Barrie
Ingham) and editing, gave Basil the appearance of quick wits, and
indomitable courage. A mouse to be reckoned with. His
accomplice Dr. Dawson, voiced by Val Bettin, was fashioned after veteran
animator Eric Larson. Larson has worked at the Disney studios
for over fifty years, and acted as creative consultant on Basil.
Fidget, voiced by another veteran employee of the
Disney studios, Candy Candido, was designed to be scary, but at the
same time very comical in appearance. He is always making mistakes,
which hardly endear him to the Professor. Felicia and Toby,
on the other hand, don't have voices, but their sheer size in comparison
to the film's stars add plenty of touches of humour.
In development for over four years, animation on
Basil began in 1984 under the auspices of Roy E. Disney,
son of Walt Disney's brother and company co-founder, Roy O. Disney.
The release of Basil – the Great Mouse Detective, mid-1986,
made its proximity to the release of The Black Cauldron a
matter of months. Roy E. Disney would like to see an increase
in the animation output of the studio, having grown up with the first-hand
knowledge of the company's achievements in that area.
Basil's producer is 33-year Disney employee Burny
Mattinson who worked on a number of animated films from Lady and
the Tramp (1955) to present day. He chose as his directors
John Musker, Ron Clements, and Dave Mitchner. Animators Phil
Nibbelink and Ted Gielow added some remarkable computer animation
as a dramatic backdrop for a two-minute sequence within the confines
of Big Ben. During a nail-biting chase between hero and villain,
giant cogs, gears, chains and ratchets whirr dizzily around them.
This weirdly-lit sequence is further highlighted by vivid lightening
flashes from a storm raging outside the clock-face.
Adding an extra dimension to the seriousness of this
life and death struggle is a superb musical score by Henry Mancini.
Mancini's music also features two delightful songs, both of which
are sung by the diabolical Ratigan. The third song in the film
is sung by Melissa Manchester, and takes place in a seedy waterfront
bar called "The Rat Trap" where, disguised as sailors, Basil
and Dawson attempt to infiltrate the Professor's secret hideout.
The amusing lyrics of all three songs underline the
other important facet of the film — a very funny script.
Ratigan is really a most agreeable rogue, even when executing the
most dastardly of crimes, and the Queen Victoria of Mousedom has some
of the film's best lines, particularly when she is quizzing one of
Ratigan's henchmen. Combined with fast-pacing, skilful editing
and brightly lit animation, Basil – the Great Mouse Detective
is an excellent film. It's better, funnier and more enchanting
than The Black Cauldron, which looked for a while as if it
was to be the symbol of everything new from Disney animation.
Rumour has it that due to the failure of such films as Young
Sherlock Holmes, Disney may want to underplay Basil's detective
connections. That would be a great pity and a complete waste
of the film's merchandise potential. Basil – the Great
Mouse Detective is a highly recommended picture and should not
be missed under any circumstances.