फ्रैंक और ओली

The problem with documentaries is that, short of "The Sorrow and the Pity" and "Nanook of the North," most of them are only interesting if you have a fascination with the subject. Me, I'm into dinosaurs, flight, and movies. But I guess most of all I'm interested in animation, so "Frank and Ollie" is right up my alley, even though it could be argued that a movie like this (written, directed, and produced by Frank Thomas' son, Theodore) isn't really important or in any way art.

First of all, this isn't really a Disney picture, despite the fact that Disney released it--there is not the same tone of self-congratulatory propaganda (i.e. Disney is Great/Remember the Magic) that Disney-done documentaries such as the Making of Fantasia featurette from the Fantasia DVD (in which, other than the descriptions of the techniques, the only interesting thing actually said is that Leonard Maltin used to watch the Rite of Spring section in Science class) tend to have. This is evident in the first few minutes of the movie, when various nude drawings the animators drew in college are shown. This is as much a documentary on the two animators (as mundane as some of their details may be) as it is about Disney.

One of the most interesting things revealed by Frank and Ollie is how all the animators used to draw caricatures of each other to get their creative juices flowing (and to blow off steam).

Again, a movie like this is only interesting if you enjoy the subject. I don't like basketball, so I don't care for Hoop Dreams. But if you enjoy animation of any sort, "Frank and Ollie" might just suit you fine, too. 9/10.

A study of the personal and professional relationship of Disney animators Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston, who started at the studio in the 1930s and worked together on 23 films.

Watching Disney documentaries and being enchanted with the tributes it has paid to the professionals behind great works, simultaneously watching Frank and Ollie (two more than fraternal friends, excellent designers) and the Sherman brothers (two musically talented brothers, but not They got along well and separated for years) wonderful masterpieces, well-deserved tributes, sincere, transparent, necessary and passionate works... A beautiful union that generated great successes.

What a rare gift: a longtime male friendship this genuine & kind. Whenever they tell a story, they have their own specific parts & lines, knowing where to jump in & finish each other's thoughts. It's also a decent telling of the behind-the-scenes story of Golden Age Disney, uniquely capturing the intricate art of character animation. A must for Disney fans, but any viewer will inevitably gain a new appreciation for the skilled art of animation...& fall in love with these dudes.

This documentary is about Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston--two animators from the so-called 'group of nine'. These were the important animators who worked for Disney through its classic days and helped to make the great full-length pictures* that made the studio even more famous. In addition, they were the two surviving members of the group AND were amazingly close friends...among the closest you ever could hear about and this is very touching. The film was made by Frank's son, Theodore--and Theodore went on to make some other touching and interesting documentaries, such as "Walt & El Groupo".

While at times the film seemed a bit vague when it came to the story AND I assume there was much more that I would like to have heard from the guys, it is a delightful film and well worth seeing. And, although Frank & Ollie seemed very elderly in the film, they both went on to live another decade or more after "Frank and Ollie" debuted. An amazingly nice and sweet film.

'Frank and Ollie' is the touching story of Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston, two of the original Disney animators. Lifelong friends and collaborators they tell the story of how their beginnings at Disney animation and the classic films they worked on together. Using archival footage, interviews with Frank and Ollie's respective wives and current Disney animators, the film brings to life the rich picture of the unique and enduring friendship of these talented animators.