Good Will to Men

I saw this cartoon over 40 years ago, and I remember it to this day. There are very few things that one sees and has such an impact on your life. This cartoon's message is one that is still alive today, as it was in the 1950's and the cold war.

Hanna and Barbera would strike out there own making decent, but cheap cartoons-mostly for children. This one is an unnecessary remake of the far superior "Peace on Earth," which was released just before World War 2. This remake is a bit updated, with nuclear weapons as the big bad of humankind. Some reviewers have complained that this shows all humans as evil-ever think from an animals point of view-we are? Look at the wanton, thoughtless destruction we've laid upon the earth. Still, the original is far superior.

Love animation, it was a big part of my life as a child, particularly Disney, Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry, and still love it whether it's film, television or cartoons.

Hanna-Barbera are better known to me for their more comic-anarchic violence-oriented shows and cartoons, many of them good to classic so there is no complaining here. Like what was said with describing in my review for 1939's 'Peace on Earth' (mentioned by many reviewers, being a cartoon with a similar story and also a message cartoon that is pretty much the same message and subject) that Hugh Harman grows up with one of his most serious and darker efforts, 1955's 'Good Will to Men' sees Hanna-Barbera turning serious and providing one of their most mature and serious works. Again like 'Peace on Earth' this different approach comes off in a good, no great, way.

Of the two, it's hard to say which is preferred of the two. They are both powerful cartoons with a daring subject, weighty themes and an important message that actually is not too irrelevant. For me 'Peace on Earth' packs slightly more of an emotional punch, while 'Good Will to Men' handles its message a touch more subtly while still making its point very forcefully. In terms of quality overall, the two are about equal.

Regardless, 'Good Will to Men' makes a big emotional impact. It packs a very poignant punch and really makes one think about what it's trying to say. The beginning and end scenes are cute but not too sentimental, while the darker content in between provokes thought and moves. Story-wise, it's simple in terms of structure and plot development while still having a good deal going on but this is a good thing, making the cartoon easier to understand and resonate with.

The characters carry the cartoon beautifully, they look adorable in appearance but show stronger personalities than one would expect. Daws Butler shows that he can do much more than comedy and he does a great job at it.

Animation is rich in detail for design and backgrounds, vibrant in colour and crisp. Composer for the prime-era 'Tom and Jerry' cartoons and regular Tex Avery composer Scott Bradley provides a lush and atmospheric music score.

In conclusion, great. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Hugh Harman's quintessential masterpiece, Peace on Earth, this is not, but Good Will To Men still marks a fascinating contrast from all of the Tom & Jerry cartoons that Bill Hanna & Joe Barbera were making at the time. As this short is set up in a church with a choir director mouse recapping the downfall of mankind to his singers, much of the similar thrilling hooks are retold but with higher production qualities and bigger effects work. Sometimes, the flashbacks can go a bit all over the place, but the resolution of animals rebuilding civilization after all the destruction remains intact nonetheless.

Really, the cartoon's biggest issue is that it doesn't offer much that the original short already didn't do better, and the ending feels too wrapped up in pro American jingoism when the church setting becomes more prominent than you'd think. That all being said, it's admirable that Hanna & Barbera tackled this remake in general since they were the only ones who could do so with the amount of respect and sincerity needed for a project like this. For what it's worth, it's a decent enough retelling of a great short film that might have benefited from a followup instead of a general remake. Check it out if you're interested this Christmas.

This cartoon is the result of William Hanna and Joseph Barbera deciding to revisit the theme explored in another cartoon, Peace on Earth, done in 1939. Both cartoons are excellent ststements and are still all-too relevant today. Exploring weighty concepts-war, hatred and destruction-both are equally effective in each its own right, although Good Will to Men is seen all too rarely. An excellent effort that is sadly out-of-print. Well worth the effort to track down. Most highly recommended.