Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore

"Winnie" is having an amble when he finds a fir cone. He drops it into the river - inadvertently discovering the game of "Pooh Sticks" - and is soon playing with his friends "Rabbit", "Piglet" and "Roo". Their game is disrupted by a large floating object - and that turns out to be the glass-half-empty character that is "Eeyore". What's he doing in the river? Seems he was "bounced" into it - and there can only be one culprit for that. "Tigger" denies all knowledge but a bit of intervention from the narrator proves who did what and reminds us that it's also the gloomy donkey's birthday! Quickly they decide that they have to get him some gifts - but what chance "Pooh" is actually ever going to remember his task. "Owl" might be able to help out? "Piglet" has got him a balloon - or has a balloon got him a "Piglet"? "Pooh" eventually gets him an useful pot and "Christopher Robin" gets everyone together for a nice birthday tea - well it's nice until "Tigger" arrives and we are soon all back where we started - on the bridge with the sticks! It's a little bit long, this animation, but the characters and the friendly nature of the story makes for an easy watch with just about everyone in on the act and trying to pull together to cheer up "Eeyore".

I do think out of the four Winnie the Pooh vignettes this is my least favourite, but it is fun to watch. It isn't as funny as the other three, though Tigger is still very funny, and the narrator just lacks the thoughtfulness of Sebastian Cabot.

That said, it is well animated, the voice acting especially from Paul Winchell and John Fiedler are without fault, and it is still very charming, and has a good story that just about engages the young audience.

The music is not so bad either, and the Pooh Sticks scene was inspired.

All in all, not the best our favourite bear has to offer, but worth watching. 8/10 Bethany Cox

This forth installment in Disney's Winnie the Pooh series of short is in many ways the most endearing and rewarding of the four. The story revolves around Eyeore's forgotten birthday and Pooh and friends' attempts to make amends. It rings true in its themes of isolation, desiring and achieving companionship, and true friendship.

Thankfully, this short is available in the supplemental material on the DVD (2002 release, Region 1) edition of `The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh'. If you have this DVD, don't pass over this delightful extra.

One of the best shorts from Disney and one of the best versions of Pooh. Very good story with otimas character. Perfect for all toddlers. Highly recommend.

It's Eeyore's birthday, but none of his so-called friends have bothered to notice. Pooh has made a new game involving chucking sticks into the river to see which one wins in a race. He calls it 'Pooh Sticks'. Now, where I come from that particular noun means something completely different.

When Eeyore comes floating along they realize that he is more depressed than usual. When he reveals why the day is supposed to be so special they all run off to find makeshift presents and prepare a party. It actually works, and he cheers up.

A fine Winnie the Pooh short, with the great animation and wonderful backgrounds we've come to expect. It also keeps Christopher Robin to a minimum.