Puff the Magic Dragon

When I was little, I watched it every time I was sad and afterwards I would be happy. Now that I'm a teenager, I still have the temptation to watch it even though my social status would be wrecked. The animator had a good sense of humor that makes even the toughest goth laugh.. I should know because I'm one of them. If you haven't watched it, you're missing out on funny jokes and cute designs..

Puff the Magic Dragon (1978) is not a bad children's classic. This is one of those film shorts that I would want my kids to see (if I had any). It does have a pretty good story to teach the kids about overcoming their fears of speaking to others or giving a public speech.

I do recall seeing the movie short when I was a kid and I do recalling liking it to a degree. It was mainly Puff that I liked as a kid because he is a dragon (and not so much the story) and the song by Peter, Paul and Mary.

Any way, I do recommend this movie for the kids. As for adults, it's good for pure nostalgia or curiosity.

Good companion films (keeping with the theme of a boy and his dragon): 'Eragon' and 'Pete's Dragon'.

7/10

This is one of those films that for maybe only a sliver of time was iconic and absolutely unforgettable. It came out when I was four years old, my mother loved the song, as so many people did. This film was the very essence of my childhood imagination and joy, also my sorrows, as this was the generation where many kids experienced the relatively new increase in divorce and fractured families, as my family did. This film deals with change and growing up - and I for one was greatly enriched and strengthened all my life because of it. It is beautifully done and still stands up fairly well, especially as a snapshot in time and history with ideas and lessons that are timeless for any child or adult. Some others like this (if you can find it) The Electric Grandmother, based on the story I Sing The Body Electric by Ray Bradbury (also a Twilight Zone episode), The Velveteen Rabbit etc were of a time when it seemed such shorts were created to inspire and educate, to bring beauty and music and imagination to kids. We have great films like this today, of course, but it seems these were more rare to find in the days before VCRs, Cable, the Internet etc.

This animation is suitable for all kids even for little one. Firstly, the plot has great idea, that you should come up with your fears despite how old are you. Secondly, the animation os good, it looks very soft and kindly. So, it's good animation.

Directed by Charles Swenson and Fred Wolf, Puff the Magic Dragon was a lovely surprise. True, at 30 minutes it is very short and perhaps rather scant, but all the same it is cute, it is charming and it is intelligent.

It is made up of very cute art designs, so the animation is nice and colourful. The songs, principally the truly memorable title song, are beautiful. The cartoon itself is very funny, and has a nice story, and some nice lessons that don't preach. The characters are also very endearing, Puff has to be the most lovable dragon ever, and Jackie isn't annoying at all. And then there's the voice acting, the late Burgess Meredith was perfect as Puff and Phillip Tanzini is appealing as Jackie.

All in all, a very nice and gentle watch. 9/10 Bethany Cox