| Disney's American Legends | |
| Director: | Lara Shapiro |
| Producer: | Richard Kaylor |
| Narrator: | James Earl Jones |
| Starring: | Alfre Woodard Geoffrey Jones Tim Hodge Thurl Ravenscroft Dal McKennon Dennis Day Jerry Colonna Ken Darby |
| Cinematography: | Sergio Rodregez |
| Editing: | Leland Gray Adrian McKetch |
| Studio: | Walt Disney Home Entertainment Walt Disney Productions Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida |
| Distributor: | Buena Vista Home Entertainment |
| Runtime: | 58 minutes |
| Country: | United States |
Disney's American Legends is a 2002 American animated anthology film narrated by James Earl Jones. A compilation of four previously released animated musical shorts from Walt Disney Animation Studios based on American tall tales, the collection includes The Brave Engineer (1950), Paul Bunyan (1958), John Henry (2000), and The Legend of Johnny Appleseed which is a segment from the 1948 film Melody Time.[1]
The film's new short is based on John Henry and stars Alfre Woodard and Tim Hodge. John Henry was later released on Blu-ray in Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection on August 18, 2015.[2]
Based on the story of John Henry, a mighty railroad worker who raced against a steam drill.
Based on the story of Johnny Appleseed (voiced by Dennis Day), a nurseryman who introduced apple trees to Ohio and Indiana. The short was originally featured in the 1948 film Melody Time.
Based on the story of Paul Bunyan (voiced by Thurl Ravenscroft), a folklore giant lumberjack, and his blue-colored ox, Babe.
Based on the exploits of railroad engineer Casey Jones.
Mike Pinsky, of DVD Verdict, reviewed the compilation: "If, as James Earl Jones says in the finale, the message of this film is to 'look for the heroes around you and celebrate them', Disney's American Legends is an interesting, if half-hearted, attempt to carry out that advice."[4] Kirby C. Holt of Toon Talk, commented: "Although the program definitely presents the shorts in descending order of quality, it ends on a high note with these inspirational words from James Earl Jones: "Look for the heroes around you and celebrate them ... you can find them in the past, in the present, even in the mirror".[5]