The Magical World of Disney (TV Series) Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates: Part 1 (1962) User Reviews

One of the Few Times a Movie is Better than the Book

[AloneAgainNaturally · 8/10 · 4 June 2018]

I read Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates by Mary Mapes Dodge as an adult. While Hans' story is charming, Ms. Dodge had the unfortunate structure of interspersing a chapter of Hans' story followed by a chapter of Dutch history. I believe her intention was to make Dutch history accessible to youngsters, but she did not integrate the story and the history very well. Disney did a good job of taking out the "boring bits" while preserving the fictional story of Hans Brinker. Disney was able to beautifully integrate a little of Dutch history and culture without it being a thinly disguised history lesson. I like history, and I liked Dodge's book- but I did not particularly like how she wrote her story. The film is charming and uses a complete Dutch cast, which does much to lend an air of authenticity to the movie. The production was so well done, I was surprised to learn Brinker was a television film and not a theater release. It is a lovely little story about a lovely little family.

Very Professional Version

[evc-11418 · 9/10 · 31 October 2018]

The actors here are not known to me in the US, but they are excellent Dutch and European actors. This is an excellent true version done in the Disney tradition of fine film, even though it was presented for television. It is often easier to appreciate a pure story when one does not know the "stars." Highly recommend.