Animalympics (1980)

[Count Ratfink]

I watched this movie for the first time several days ago and was blown away by how excellent this animated film was. Pardon the pun, but it's a gold medal winner in every sense of the word.

For those who haven't heard of this gem, it's basically a movie about anthropomorphic animals who come to Animalympic Island to compete in various sporting events, both summer and winter games. At 75 minutes long, you definitely need to devote quite a bit of time to watching this movie, but it's worth it. The movie contained a lot of wonderful humor, not being afraid to be a bit politically incorrect at times, and laying down all sorts of great puns.

The characters are a wonderfully diverse lot, ranging from alligators to orcas to sable to pigeons. All of them are portrayed as honest, likable, and unique individuals. Amazingly, only four people acted as the voice talents for such a huge diversity of characters, but managed to give each one their own distinct "something."

The songs too, performed by Graham Gouldman of 10cc are fantastic, my personal favorites being "Now That We've Made It" and "Go For It."

The movie also contains great messages for kids, such as good sportmanship, striving for your goals, celebrating differences, and that members of different cultures can work together with-and even grow to love-each other. If you enjoy animals, animation, or sports, you'll enjoy this movie a lot.   

[BoyScoutKevin]

I saw this a number of years ago on television. Frankly, I don't remember too much about it, but I did enjoy it, and I think I was taken by the variety of animals in the film.

[JJ80]

I used to have this entertaining little movie on video when I was much younger. I particularly liked the Japanese Penguin gymnast/martial artist and the version of the 100 metres where the competitors turned into dragsters.

[Ash]

I remember this one.
Didn't it have a jogging cheetah who kept saying, "Viva La Victory.  Viva La Victory" ?

[WingedSerpent]

I remember this one.
Didn't it have a jogging cheetah who kept saying, "Viva La Victory.  Viva La Victory" ?

And didn't he fall in love with his competitor? who was an antelope or something.

I need to look this up now.  I loved this as a kid.  The fencing match was my favorite (go figure)

Oh-then there was the part where the single hockey player takes out the enitre opposing team.  I think he was a bison or something.


OK, I'm looking at it on youtube right now, and there's a lot of scences I had forgotten about.  The diving event with an otter vs a killer whale's a good one.

[Count Ratfink]

I remember this one.
Didn't it have a jogging cheetah who kept saying, "Viva La Victory.  Viva La Victory" ?

Actually, that character was a goat called Renee. The way he grows to love his lioness competitor, Kit Mambo, and vice versa, is just so sweet and beautiful. 

My favorite character in the movie, hands down, is Bolt Jenkins. That gator deserved every one of his medals! And he's an awesome dancer too.  Bruce the Japanese penguin and Ivan the Russian bull elephant were pretty cool as well.

[retrorussell]

I remember this was on ALL the time on cable in the morning back in the day.  So was Dot And The Kangaroo, and Peter No-Tail.  Good times.