Almost Angels

I think this movie was a great production by Walt Disney Pictures. Vincent Winter was a great Tony Fiala. I'm just sorry to hear that he died not too long ago in Surry, England November 2, 1998. He really warmed my heart with his wonderful voice and his great talent of acting. Sean Scully (I) played a great Peter Shaifer. I think that everyone who attempted the production for this movie should be commended for the excellent job they did 37 years ago! Congratulations to all of you who made this movie a great success.

It can go slow in parts, but all in all I actually enjoyed 'Almost Angels'.

It's a sweet little story, admittedly it is one that could've been expanded upon and made more awe-inspiring than it is - similar to Disney's 'The Littlest Outlaw' from 1955 in that regard.

None of the child actors are all that great, yet are still perfectly suitable for their roles. Peter Weck is the best member of this film, as he brings a charming and kind quality to Max Heller. It's a relatively small cast.

The plot isn't perfect, as the film literally starts with one protagonist but ends with another - to the point where it kinda feels like they didn't know which story they wanted to tell most. As alluded to near the top, I would've loved if this was more grittier and harsher - so it would feel like we went on a journey with Tony (Vincent Winter) and Peter (Sean Scully).

With that said, this is still a production that leaves positive thoughts.

I saw this many years ago as a boy soprano and came home wanting to be in the choir. I got a VHS copy on ebay a few days ago and watched it again -- it probably will affect today's kids differently. (But I mean to show it in episodes to my kid's choir at church anyway.) The movie is about the odd and beautiful thing that is an accomplished boys choir. How odd it strikes us that these kids respond to the musician's discipline, they strive for excellence, and they connect with great music. Are they from another planet? This movie bears a compelling witness to an alternative to how we could view the future men of our society.

The plot provides just enough of an excuse for the wonderful music and scenery. This is not an example of great visual story telling. It has a scrubbed Disney look and feel, but it's not even up to Disney's standards. In one scene you see the camera's shadow on the wall before it dollys back out of the light. But take it for what it is: it lets you see and hear something good and fine that you might never otherwise experience.

Almost Angels would certainly benefit from a digital remastering, because the pictures and the music deserve to be as vivid as possible.(But who knows why Disney does anything? "We've got a lot of terrific material - let's lock it in the vault and not sell it to anybody, okay?" "Great idea, chief!")

This movie should have much exposure than it did. I can't really add much more to the existing comments.

It's a marvelous family movie, and especially heartwarming for any boy who has any musical talent - singing or playing - to watch.

Why Disney hasn't put this and some of their other timeless classics onto restored DVD's, I have no idea. I'd be waiting in line to buy this one if it were available.

So if any of you greedy format-inventing Disney dorks are reading, get some of the old stuff out and remaster it. You'll be even richer than you already are!

How beautiful, it must be a real anguish for these boys when they lose their children's voices, however powerful, what voices, what delights ... They deserve much applause, very cute child actors ... Cute...