Told from a Russian Jewish mouse immigrant perspective, we follow the adventures and misadventures of Feivel and his family, as he is exposed to the glories and seemier underside of American culture and the American immigrant perspective as they seek a promised land with no cats.
The story kind of meanders here and there, and isn't too cohesive, but it's still a good watch as we see Don Bluth bring a Spielberg production to life. And the main character, young Feivel, really is an adorable mouse, rivaling Mickey of Disney fame and Jerry of MGM notoriety.
I love animation, but I typically don't like child oriented or so-called "family" fare where the story is meant strictly for young kids, but this film is kind of endearing on all levels, and because it isn't the ultra clean fare so accustomed to being given to children and their parents for entertainment. It gives the spirit of what it must have been like to be an immigrant in late 18th century or early 20th century America, and does so by showing us the grittiness of the environment and surroundings without being explicit in nature to keep the film family and child friendly.
And that's the real magic of this film. It can get down to brass tax of the hardships and still tell a rather endearing story with Don Bluth's usual high caliber film making techniques. And the message at the end of the film is heart warming.
Don Bluth really is a magician when it comes to animation. The man is an absolute sorcerer when it comes to conjuring animated magic on screen. Check out "An American Tail". Good value for money.
![An American Tail [Blu-ray] [1986]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/6319/6319687_so.jpg;maxHeight=400;maxWidth=400)
