Side Vault - The Disney Rankings: The Silver Age
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The Silver Age
The Silver Age of Walt Disney animated films are the movies that are most associated with classic Disney movies and childhood memories. A generation grew up with these and passed them on to their children, who in turn have done so to the next generation and so on. This was also when Disney started their formula of happily ever after princess films.
This was when Disney started to enter American pop culture. Through Post-War America, Walt would open Disneyland and start making live action films. The Disney name became synonymous with wholesome family fun.
Some major consequential films and characters in the Disney catalog came out in this era. Tinkerbell, who is as much a mascot as Mickey Mouse, first appears. Movies like Sleeping Beauty and One Hundred and One Dalmatians introduced us to noteable villians like Cruella de Vil and Malificent. Notably, this was the last era with a Walt Disney-controlled film, as he would pass away right before the release of the final movie in the era - The Jungle Book.
I love these movies like most, but there are a couple I was surprised I didn’t like as much as I thought I would. My all-time favorite Disney film is also in here - Sleeping Beauty.
To catch up, here are the rankings (as well as explaining how they work) for the first two eras: Golden Age of Disney and The War Era
Cinderella (1950)
Recently, this movie has gotten a lot of play in my household, as my daughter loves it. It sets up the formula we know of the Disney princesses and the “happily ever after” endings. It has a really good soundtrack and some beautiful animation. The mice add to the movie while not taking away from the main character of Cinderella. There are also some great shots, especially with the evil stepmother Lady Tremaine (who is voiced by Eleanor Audley, also the voice of Malificent). Plus, there’s really well-written dialogue and comedy.
This movie was a success and got the Disney company rolling in what would be a great decade for them. To this day, even if modernized a bit, the fairy tale and princess formula dominates the Disney ideology and ethos; and its all thanks to this film.
Animation and Art Style - 10
Story and Concepts - 8
Characters - 9
Soundtrack - 8
Modernity - 7
Rewatch Value - 8
Personal Enjoyment - 8
Critical and Financial Acclaim - 9
Pop Culture - 10
Disney Legacy - 9
Final Score - 86
Alice in Wonderland (1951)
I think this movie has some really good animation. You can tell the animators had a lot of fun making this. Of course, we know all the memorable characters here, but I actually wasn’t super crazy about the movie overall. I think the middle part feels too much like filler, and the best part is the first and final acts. But this is still a must-watch movie with a huge legacy for the company. Also, this movie actually ages really well in its themes and messages. The Queen of Hearts is scarily close to the narcissistic horrible people we’ve seen in public life recently.
Animation and Art Style - 10
Story and Concepts - 7
Characters - 9
Soundtrack - 8
Modernity - 10
Rewatch Value - 7
Personal Enjoyment - 7
Critical and Financial Acclaim - 6
Pop Culture - 10
Disney Legacy - 9
Final Score - 83
Peter Pan (1953)
Peter Pan is one of the more famous movies of the era. From a legacy and pop culture standpoint, Peter Pan is extremely important to the company. Tinker Bell has become part of the Disney imagery as Jiminy Cricket’s song and Mickey Mouse. Like most of the movies of the era, the animation and cinematography are beautiful.
However, the movie is also known for not aging well in its depiction of Native Americans. This will become more jarring as time goes by and newer generations watch it. For me personally, the movie is good but not great, and it’s mostly due to the fact that I kind of didn’t like Peter Pan as a character. For whatever reason, I just kind of didn’t like him that much (lol). Like Alice in Wonderland, I think the first and final acts are the best part of the movie.
Animation and Art Style - 10
Story and Concepts - 8
Characters - 9
Soundtrack - 7
Modernity - 5
Rewatch Value - 7
Personal Enjoyment - 7
Critical and Financial Acclaim - 8
Pop Culture - 10
Disney Legacy - 10
Final Score - 81
Lady and the Tramp (1955)
Famous for the spaghetti scene and one of the best romance films, especially in animation, Lady and the Tramp is a great film. The movie’s animation, writing, and characters are all top-notch. The only downside is the cats that don’t age well due to their insensitive characterization. This was a movie that Walt held near and dear to his heart due to his love for dogs. Its one of those Disney films that people still remember to this day. The middle is probably the weakest part, but its overall story and the ending are A-grade.
Animation and Art Style - 10
Story and Concepts - 9
Characters - 9
Soundtrack - 8
Modernity - 6
Rewatch Value - 8
Personal Enjoyment - 9
Critical and Financial Acclaim - 9
Pop Culture - 8
Disney Legacy - 9
Final Score - 85
Sleeping Beauty (1959)
I’m going to level with you; this is my all-time favorite Disney film. It has beautiful art, memorable characters, a great soundtrack, and the most famous Disney villain and final battle. Malificent alone makes the film. Prince Phillip actually puts the work in, not just showing up and kissing/marrying the princess. The iconic final battle with Malificent’s dragon form is, in my mind, the best battle in animation. Unfortunately, this didn’t make the money at the box office it needed to, as the movie ran over budget.
The movie’s legacy lives on, especially in the theme parks. Walt was so confident in the movie that he made Sleeping Beauty Castle the staple of Disneyland, eve though it hadn’t released yet. I have nothing but great things to say about this film; I love it.
Animation and Art Style - 10
Story and Concepts - 8
Characters - 10
Soundtrack - 9
Modernity - 9
Rewatch Value - 10
Personal Enjoyment - 10
Critical and Financial Acclaim - 6
Pop Culture - 9
Disney Legacy - 10
Final Score - 91
One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)
This is the movie that most surprised me when I saw it. I actually didn’t love this movie, and yet it’s one of the more famous ones in the era. Cruella steals the show. However, I think the pacing and middle part could be a lot better. Even more annoying is the big dip in the quality of the animation. This was the first of a new style of animation Disney employed to save money that would go on to be called the “scratchy films” due to the look. It’s an above-average movie, but it’s not one I would rush to watch, despite having a great villian.
Animation and Art Style - 8
Story and Concepts - 8
Characters - 8
Soundtrack - 7
Modernity - 10
Rewatch Value - 7
Personal Enjoyment - 7
Critical and Financial Acclaim - 10
Pop Culture - 9
Disney Legacy - 9
Final Score - 83
The Sword in the Stone (1963)
This is a very underrated film. I had a lot of fun with this one and is well-paced and well-written. I wish this one was talked about a lot more and deserves a better legacy. There are also a lot of really good messages that still resonate and age well. Unfortunately, the art and animation are that scratchy look I’m not crazy about. But I highly suggest people give this movie a chance. Lots of fun.
Animation and Art Style - 7
Story and Concepts - 8
Characters - 9
Soundtrack - 8
Modernity - 10
Rewatch Value - 8
Personal Enjoyment - 8
Critical and Financial Acclaim - 6
Pop Culture - 5
Disney Legacy - 6
Final Score - 75
The Jungle Book (1967)
The final movie Walt was involved with and the last one of the Silver Age. This is a fun movie. The animation is still disappointing, but the catchy songs and plot make up for it. The movie feels like listening to a good music soundtrack inside of a good animated film. Shere Khan is an incredible villain, and you can’t pass on hearing George Sanders’ voice.
Animation and Art Style - 7
Story and Concepts - 8
Characters - 9
Soundtrack - 9
Modernity - 7
Rewatch Value - 9
Personal Enjoyment - 8
Critical and Financial Acclaim - 9
Pop Culture - 10
Disney Legacy - 9
Final Score - 85
Final Thoughts
Overall the Disney Silver Age got Disney back on track and set up a lot of moments and characters still a part of the company’s history and image today. There are some fun movies here, including the underrated Sword in the Stone. Plus, my favorite animated film, Sleeping Beauty, is in this era. Even as Walt started to focus on live-action movies, the company still got out some quality animated films.
Next is going to the Disney Bronze Age, or as some call it - the Disney Dark Age. The company would begin to struggle without Walt’s leadership and excitement for the movies dipped. However in the end, a new CEO would come in and start to right the ship and finish the era off with a bang.
Era Total Rankings (Tie-Breaker is personal enjoyment)
Sleeping Beauty - 91
Cinderella - 86
Lady and the Tramp - 85
The Jungle Book - 85
Alice in Wonderland - 83
One Hundred and One Dalmatians - 83
Peter Pan - 81
The Sword in the Stone - 75