Ben and Me

I remember see this cute movie long time ago at the Underground Museum in Franklin Court in Philadelphia. It took a light heart look at Ben Franklin's life told by Amos the Mouse. The film is enjoyable to watch with the whole family. I wish they will release this on video and DVD.

I have always loved films (animated and live action) and theatrical shorts based on books. This short story holds a special place in my childhood memories, owing to my frequent viewings of it during that time. I've even read the book too.

This short has a wonderful cast, featuring Sterling Holloway as Amos Mouse/Narrator, Charles Ruggles as Benjamin Franklin, and Hans Conried as Thomas Jefferson. I love the talents of Hans. I also love why they joined old paintings and the animated characters in the backgrounds-excellent work! I recommend this short to those who like literary shorts and films like me.

This is by far one of the cutest animated "history" lessons anyone can watch or show to children. Of course it is fictional with a mouse as the hero and main character but does present the founding of our nation and the writing of the constitution in a very entertaining matter. Amos is really portrayed as the hero in place of Benjamin Franklin, with Franklin portrayed as somewhat of a bumbling, "absent-minded" professor type. We are also shown some of Benjamin Franklin's inventions as well as some of his famous sayings scattered throughout the short movie. We do have a video version of this and I believe it is still available. I highly recommend this very entertaining and educational 25 minute feature by Disney at his best.

Guess what? It turns out that the much lauded Benjamin Franklin wasn't actually one of the architects of American independence after all. Nope. It was his mousey friend "Amos" who came up with all that "we the people" malarkey. After Benjamin had visited King George III and left with short shrift, he returned home to colonies full to brimming with folks like Thomas Jefferson determined that it is time to sever the links with the mother country. Treason? They'll all be hanged? Well first things first, they have to come up with a declaration that will set their daring vision onto paper and into motion. Thing is, they just can't find the words. Well, not for the first time, that's where the eloquent ball of fur comes to the fore and the rest is history... Well if Scottish history sees no problem awarding credit for it's rebellions to a spider, then why not the US of A according the same accolades to a wily and journalistic critter that is colourfully and mischievously depicted here. It's good fun with some entertaining dialogue from both the kite-flying mouse and his printer mentor. History, schmistory - maybe there really was a mouse on the moon, too?

I saw it as history teacher and I was just seduced by this smart lesson about a colaboration with great results.

Fine image of alternate history perspective , fair remind of events more than familiar and , at the final, fair wish to have each political man...an Amos Mouse as conseler.

In short, just lovely.