BC, on "The Fox and the Hound ."

Tod : Copper, you're my best friend.  
  Copper : And you're mine too, Tod.  
Tod : And we'll always be friends forever. Won't we?  
Copper : Yeah, forever.

•  The Fox and the Hound (1981)

The film that I have featured in this video is entitled The Fox and the Hound .   In this film, a young fox named Tod befriends a puppy named Copper.   Eventually, as they grow, Copper and Tod are forced apart by circumstances related to their traditional roles as hunter and prey.   This culminates in Copper helping his owner, Amos, hunt Tod after the fox was released into the wild.   Initially Tod is forced to run from his former friend.   However, when Amos and Copper are attacked by a bear, Tod can not bring himself to stand by and watch the bear hurt his friend.   He bravely lunges at the bear, and almost loses his own life in the process.   Later we see Tod weakened by the fight.   Amos is ready to shoot him, but Copper stands over Tod and convinces his owner to let the fox survive.   Afterwards, their childhood pledge of friendship echoes in their minds.   Despite their opposing natural roles, Copper and Tod remain loyal to each other.

This video is intended to address the criticism that Disney films promote racial intolerance.   Copper and Tod are two different species (as opposed to “races”), but they still come from two opposing groups in nature.   As children they promise to remain “friends forever”, however as they grow older they are pressured to adopt predetermined roles and subsequently, prejudices.   This is especially true for Copper, who turns away from his former friend and even actively hunts him later in the film.   Despite this, when Copper is in imminent danger Tod's former friendship with Copper causes him to come to his friend's aid.   Likewise, Copper recognizes Tod's loyalty and steps in to save his life.   Therefore, this film portrays a message that friendship and individual relationships are stronger than the roles that society determines for us.   In addition, it sends a message that we shouldn't limit our friendships to those within our own societal “group”.

I chose the song You've Got A Friend , because it describes an enduring friendship.   Even when friends are separated, “…All you have to do is call and (they'll) be there…”   As well, the song cautions “(People will) take your soul if you let them…but don't you let them”, which ties into the message that we shouldn't let others determine our actions and our relationships.   These concepts relate closely to the messages displayed within the film.   As well, I included the audio of Tod and Copper pledging to remain friends, as that final scene emphasizes their childhood promise to each other and reflects the impact that it has had on their actions as adults.