It was the first movie I ever saw in the theater.
We could all do with a revisit toAn American Tail.
twice; apparently this alsomeant little to Siskel and Ebert at the time.
All of this dark material is preceded by a warm, wonderful moment showing the Mousekewitz family celebrating Hanukkah.
To put it briefly, they were not alone in their tragedies nor their hopes for a better tomorrow.
From 1880 to 1930, the Great Wave of European immigrants flooding into America was estimated at 27 million.
Image via Universal Studios
A modern crisis of emigration and refugee flight iscurrently happening in Europe, though theU.S.
tends to be less warm and receptivethan that of our friends and allies across the Atlantic.
Regardless, this was a relatively insignificant slight for the family after the loss of their only son.
Image via Universal Studios
Except Fievel is alive, if not exactly well.
But Fievels travels through the hard-luck streets of New York City were not what he had been promised.
Its here that Fievel meets the slick and charismatic Warren T. Rat.
Image via Universal Studios
He quickly befriends Fievel before selling him to a sweatshop.
Its also where Fievel meets the very helpful Tony Toponi.
What follows is a whirlwind of other immigrants who cross Fievels path.
Image via Universal Studios
Did the filmmakers think that their little animated movie would solve the world’s problems?
Clearly, we’re all in need of a refresher.
But there’s always hope.
Image via Universal Studios
Image via Universal Studios
Image via Universal Studios
Image via Universal Studios
Image via Universal Studios
Image via Universal Studios
