Family,Music
United States of America
Song of the South is a 1946 Disney movie that combines live-action and animation. It is set in the Reconstruction Era South and tells the story of Johnny, a young boy who is struggling to come to terms with the separation of his parents and his new life on his grandmother's plantation. Uncle Remus, an African American plantation worker, tells Johnny stories about the adventures of Br'er Rabbit, Br'er Fox, and Br'er Bear, offering him advice and guidance through the tales.
Alongside the stories of Br'er Rabbit, the movie also explores the relationship between Johnny's grandmother and her black workers. Despite the fact that they are clearly oppressed and lack equality, there are moments of affection and respect between the characters that hint at the possibility of more positive race relations.
The movie was controversial even when it was released, with critics suggesting that it romanticized the antebellum South and portrayed African American characters as submissive and childlike. Today, it is seen as a product of its time and has not been released on home video in the United States. However, the songs from the movie, including "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah," have become iconic Disney tunes that are still widely recognized and celebrated.
