Puff the Magic Dragon

This animation is suitable for all kids even for little one. Firstly, the plot has great idea, that you should come up with your fears despite how old are you. Secondly, the animation os good, it looks very soft and kindly. So, it's good animation.

Jackie Draper is a boy who has psychological problems and does not speak. A group of doctors examine him but offer no solutions. When Jackie goes to bed, he is visited by the title dragon, who does not care for being the aggressive stereotype, and who decides to help Jackie with his problems by giving him confidence. Puff makes a paper cut-out of Jackie, calling him Jackie Paper, as the real Jackie cannot join him in the fantasy world Puff takes him to.

The story is only a half-hour, but Puff does succeed in making Jackie feel confident at last, even to the point where Jackie is able to solve Puff's problem when he falls into despair. Good and charming for little children, without being soppy.

Directed by Charles Swenson and Fred Wolf, Puff the Magic Dragon was a lovely surprise. True, at 30 minutes it is very short and perhaps rather scant, but all the same it is cute, it is charming and it is intelligent.

It is made up of very cute art designs, so the animation is nice and colourful. The songs, principally the truly memorable title song, are beautiful. The cartoon itself is very funny, and has a nice story, and some nice lessons that don't preach. The characters are also very endearing, Puff has to be the most lovable dragon ever, and Jackie isn't annoying at all. And then there's the voice acting, the late Burgess Meredith was perfect as Puff and Phillip Tanzini is appealing as Jackie.

All in all, a very nice and gentle watch. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Puff the Magic Dragon (1978) is not a bad children's classic. This is one of those film shorts that I would want my kids to see (if I had any). It does have a pretty good story to teach the kids about overcoming their fears of speaking to others or giving a public speech.

I do recall seeing the movie short when I was a kid and I do recalling liking it to a degree. It was mainly Puff that I liked as a kid because he is a dragon (and not so much the story) and the song by Peter, Paul and Mary.

Any way, I do recommend this movie for the kids. As for adults, it's good for pure nostalgia or curiosity.

Good companion films (keeping with the theme of a boy and his dragon): 'Eragon' and 'Pete's Dragon'.

7/10

This is an adorable half hour special that radiates charm and intelligence. Burgess Meredith is the voice of Puff, the Magic Dragon, and he was a perfect choice for the role. Able to give an air of command or whimsy, he makes Puff come alive.

The story is pure fantasy; to give Jackie self-confidence, Puff encourages him to imagine a world where he can make a difference. Jackie and Puff sail away to the land of the Sneezes, where the inhabitants are giant noses, who have perpetual colds and are always irritable and feel awful. Jackie comes up with the idea to make it rain chicken soup, to get them well. When it works, Jackie feels better, too.

If you can find this, any child will love it. My own kids watched it over and over for years, and still remember it fondly. It's a gentle and well-done children's classic.