It's Tough to Be a Bird

It's Tough to Be a Bird is a charming, short animated movie produced by Walt Disney Productions in 1969. Brilliantly narrated by Richard Bakalyan and delivering an amazing acting performance by Ruth Buzzi and John Emerson, the film takes the animation genre to a different dimension.

The story of the film revolves around a red bird aptly named M.C. Bird who is more human than an avian character. He conducts an enlightening and entertaining educational monologue about the evolution, history, and significant roles that birds have played throughout human history and in human thought.

The film is enumerative, working its way through the animal kingdom and portraying birds as an indispensable creature in the ecosystem's balance. It uses impressive visual elements to narrate the avian inventions imitated by humans, from gliding feathered capes in cave people times to fledgling attempts at flight in early last century.

The time-honored tradition of bird watching gets a plot twist in the film when M.C. Bird starts using his binoculars to observe human activities and their perpetual obsessions and imitations of bird behaviors, like aviation. This reverse surveillance is not only hilarious but also underlines the curiosity shared by all living beings.

Ruth Buzzi's distinctive voice is a delight to the ears and adds an extra layer of charm to the movie, as she effortlessly brings the bird's character to life. Richard Bakalyan's narration is precisely timed and blends beautifully with the fast-paced narrative. John Emerson's animation and direction are laden with beautifully crafted moments that amplify the film story's rhythm.

What sets this film apart from others of the same ilk is its sense of humor. It's Tough to Be a Bird’s clever puns, pictorial jokes with timing that is pause-perfect, and constant shift between satire and seriousness make this one-of-a-kind cinematic experiment a memorable experience.

It's Tough to Be a Bird oscillates between an educational film and a brilliant documentation of society and history from a bird’s-eye view. It's a relatively short film, but its running time is filled with so much information and entertainment that it keeps viewers engaged from start to finish.

One aspect of the film that needs to be highlighted is the animation work. The mix of traditional and innovative animation techniques gives the film a distinctive and vibrant look. One of the awe-inspiring sequences in the film comes in the form of a showdown between the hunter and the bird, visualized in the form of a spaghetti western duel. John Emerson's complementing animation gracefully eases this transition and presents us with a wonderfully seamless visual display.

A great film has to balance its various elements, and It's Tough to Be a Bird achieves this quite effectively. The animation is artful and pleasing without losing the plot's seriousness. The narration is engaging, and the character development, although limited due to the short run time, is still impactful and memorable. The audio-visual experience is complemented by the sharp wit that carries along the storyline in an ingenious manner.

Recognized with an Academy Award for Best Short Subject, this film is not just an enjoyable watch, but it serves as an example of how animation can be so much more than mere kid's play. It carries a poignant message about the importance of wildlife, offering a sentimental plea for bird conservation, riding on the wave of environmental activism prevalent at that time.

From an artistic standpoint, It's Tough to Be a Bird is not just a film about birds. It reflects the anthropomorphic tendencies of humans and underlines the fragile line dividing civilization from savagery. It's a clear demonstration of Disney's genius in creating a comic moral tale while subtly revealing the universal truths.

In conclusion, It's Tough to Be a Bird artfully blends humor, education, and light social commentary. There’s a seamless intersection of art and message, resulting in an engaging tale that’s a delight to watch. Whether you're a fan of animation, wildlife, or simply good storytelling, this film would certainly rank high on your list. Even though it was produced over 50 years ago, it remains modern in its sensibility and delivers a timeless experience, making it genuinely difficult to forget.