Ralph Bakshi’s Greatest Movie | Coonskin Review 

Ralph Bakshi- the man that showed that animation ain't just kid stuff

I honestly *like* the photographic backgrounds. They don't feel like a cheap shortcut to me; the superimposition of animated characters on real photographs gives the whole thing a "mood" or a "vibe" that a purely hand-drawn/hand-painted film wouldn't have.

From Ralph Bakshi to Don Bluth. Man legends back to back thats awesome

Right when he said "hundreds of sequels," I knew which movie he was talking about. The Land Before Time.

If anyone is reading this, I have sensational news about this movie. I am Italian and apparently, an Italian youtuber who dubbed in it's entirety alongside some friends of his "The Thief and the Cobbler" in Italian for the very first time, managed to find the lost Coonskin Italian Dub. But this isn't just a lost dub... Ladies and gentlemens, the Italian dub isn't the 1975 Bryanstone censored version but the original, uncut, 1974 Paramount version! This... This is one and only Italian dub of Coonskin: The Director's Cut.

Oscars should know that animation is not just for kids

Fun fact: Directors Quentin Tarantino and Spike Lee are said to be major fans of this film. And after watching the film myself last month, I can totally how this was an inspiration for them when it comes to their filmmaking craft, especially Spike Lee.

This movie didn’t deserve to be rioted against. This movie is far more progressive than you may think.

I did a report about controversial films in high school and featured a clip from this in the presentation. Turns out my teacher watched this when he was in college and he had a good laugh at seeing it again.

Love this film. Proud to own some of Bakshi’s original artwork.

I personally think Coonskin had the best representation on racism out of any animated media ever

Cool how this year is the 10th anniversary of Animat’s classic reviews

To be fair, the original Br'er Rabbit had a kind of supernatural ability to deal with antagonists.

Love the movie. Bakshi hired a lot of black animators for this. He also fired some animators for harassing a gay artist - so the production was... troubled.

I liked how Mat used Ralph Bakshi's face to censor all the genitals in the review. Also, it's cool that next he's going to review The Land Before Time next.

I almost did a freelance animation job for Bakshi around 2010, but then he just decided to animate it himself. He did tell me I was a Master Animator though. As a payment I asked if I could have a production cel from this movie.

“Ralph Bakshi’s greatest movie” Yes, I agree 😌

It’s unfortunate that this movie has a lot of controversy. 😔

This, Heavy Traffic, and American Pop should have all been award winners.

I remember describing this movie to my mom; she was horrified, to say the least.

Good thing that Land Before Time is next, and thank f***in god that it’s the original movie that started it all. And good timing too as this year is the 35th anniversary. Oh, and did I mention that it’s my favorite Don Bluth movie.

OMG! Could it be that he's finally getting around to reviewing The Land Before Time next???

Surprised that you didn't mention the name change. When I saw this movie, it was under the name "Street Fight".

FYI, Bakshi's original title was Harlem Nights, but the distributor changed it without his approval. I think Fritz the Cat is his best film, but this film is his strongest work.

Fun fact: The Godfather here was played by Al Lewis (the original Grandpa Munster from the Munsters) and the theme song was sung by Scatman Crothers who was in The Aristocats, the Shining, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, among other films.

I have never seen this movie, because I’m afraid that I might get into it to the point where I accidentally quote it. Also, I don’t want to offend anyone, and I am standing by the saying “If you’re not careful, you might call and say the wrong things to the wrong people, at the wrong places, and at the wrong times”! My mother actually told me those words, because she was worried that I might get the wrong people upset!

There was another controversy surrounding the distribution studio; Bryanston Distributing Company. The company has been known for releasing porn including the infamous "Deep Throat" and various movies including "Coonskin" and the famous horror film "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre". However, it had its fair share of issues with the owners of the company, who were ironically members of the mafia, particularly the Columbo family. Most of the controversy came from both their distribution of porn but also not giving "TCM" producer their fare share of the profits before eventually declaring bankrupcy in 1976. Side note: Philip Michael Thomas would later make it big with his big TV role in the 80s crime drama "Miami Vice". But he would later go back into the recording booth for his role as Lance Vance in both "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City" and the prequel "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories".

This film shows that it’s message needs to be heard and spread since bigotry in America is still a big problem in todays times. This is what makes this movie fantastic

How fitting that you reviewed this during the year of the rabbit

Ralph Bakshi's movies next to be reviewed: Fritz the Cat American Pop Lord of the Rings Don Bluth's films: The Land Before Time The Secret of NIMH Anastasia The Pebble and the Penguin Thumbelina A Troll in Central Park

I wrote an essay about censorship, and mentioned how C.O.R.E. lambasted this film in an effort to take off of the silver screen. That was also the essay that got me into Butler.

And they say Song of The South's content aged badly. Though who still think that obviously haven't even seen or heard of this.

This unsung mastpiece needs all the love it can get, 👏👏👏👏👏

The Land Before Time is next. April 2023. I wonder what AniMat has plans for its 10th Anniversary of Classic Reviews in May 2023

Bakshi is the gift that keeps on givin….

Something else I notice but don’t really know if is intentional is how the three brothers are more offensive looking the more they try to fight the system. Rabbit is the one who leads the charge in taking back Harlem and opposing everyone who tries to fight them and so he’s the most offensive looking with pitch black skin and red lips. Fox doesn’t really get involved but he still profits off of Rabbit taking back Harlem and is always on Rabbits side so he’s drawn with the big lips as well but his skin is a more reasonable shade. While Bear does help Rabbit a lot he also is more interested in settling down and even joins the mafia at a point, he goes against the system the least and as a result is drawn fairly normally with his skin a regular shade and no emphasis on the lips. It kinda paints the picture of if you play along with the corrupt system while you’ll still be seen as less it’ll see no reason to target you specifically, but if you dare speak out against the system all you’ll be seen as is a problem to be scrutinised and degraded

Gotta love how times haven't changed: people get offended by media they haven't even seen

The Bakshi head censor is gonna get a LOT of work with this one.

Man, I had watched most of this video when I was way too young and got bored. I wish I had finished it, or have watched it again. Edit: So conflicted over Brother Rabbit's design: it's a caricature, but he looks the coolest.

Congratulations AniMat!! Your review of this movie bumped the Rotten Tomatoes score up from a 50% Rotten to a 67% Fresh!!!!🍅🍅

The land before time is the next classic review! I hope you will talk about the deleted scenes of the movie and mention the tv series that aired on Cartoon Network and sprout (now universal kids).

The next review is The Land Before Time (The first one not the army of sequels)

Now you're just replacing the word racist with "republican" 😂

20:57 Opportunists during MeToo.

Loved the video, I was worried at first it wouldn’t be my thing but your review improved my thoughts on the film. I love the style of the animal characters especially Brother Bear

I've never heard of this movie before, and I'm not sure if I'm willing to check it out anytime soon. Wanna know what I am gonna check out though?! The next review when it comes out because we're FINALLY getting to one of my favorite animated movies ever, "The Land Before Time". I'm super excited to see how that review is going to play out. Oh yes...or as Ducky would say, "yep, yep, yep!"

The Land Before Time (1988) is up next, heading in April.

I remember this. When you talked about it in the “top 10 controversial cartoons 1/2” video you made.

Caricatures aside, Brother Rabbit’s design kinda goes hard ngl.

I really need to catch up on Bakshi's work, and I'll be sure to check out "Coonskin" when I get the chance. I'm pretty intrigued with the commentary here, along with the use of live-action photos for backgrounds with the animated characters. Can't wait to hear you talk about Littlefoot and the gang's first (and easily best) adventure next time. Yep, yep, yep!

What's this about the Northern Republicans and Southern Democrats working together?

The symbolism of American racism was done so well here. I am excited for the review of The Land Before Time.

Yep yep yep! The OG "Land Before Time" is next. Another great Don Bluth film. Also have sequels 2 to 10 on videotape since I was a kid but only really grew up with 2 to 6 since I'm a 90s baby. Haven't seen 11 to 14, but don't plan on doing it anytime soon. Personally miss Kenneth Mars' voice of Grandpa Longneck.

I'll have to check this one out now, I admire the level of controversy he went for about topics society overall wished to ignore. It takes a true artists to "go there," with topical themes and with how heated things are now I think we are overdue for something of this vein. Thanks again for the review, and analysis

The virgin Song of the South Vs the Chad Coonskin.

So the "please dont throw me out that window, i was born and raised in a garbage can" was fun writing and an on the nose refference to song of the souths 'briar rabbit' i didnt catch if you acknowloedhed that or Brier/Brother rabbits ol' slave tail origins of him hoodwinking the slaver/ the white man.

I haven’t seen this movie, though I’ll admit, even though the character designs might be offensive by today’s standards that rabbit looks cool!

Yes, I’m so happy that you’re reviewing the land before time this is like the best 80s movie and the best Don Bluth movies

Great choice of review! Haven't watched it but I've wanted to.

Guys a italian guy found the MoMa version of the movey but its in italian

Great review mate, looking forward to The Land Before Time.

“The First Movie That Started it All” The Land Before Time is next

Its been awhile since you made a video related to Ralph Bakshi

The Land Before Time is next (hopefully I don't get this one wrong like I did last time)

Seal of approval? What a surprise

Next review up is The Land Before Time!

5:24 Captain America: Language!

Will you be looking at The Land Before Time next?

There was a missed opportunity to review the anime Mario movie next month considering the Illumination movie is also coming out the same month

So The Land before Time is next

12:53 That shade! and yes I've seen this movie before years ago by happenstance back in the Blockbuster video days and I had no idea what to make of it but it was still memorable as hell. Bakshi has made several films I've hardly even heard of before and I've gone out of my way to seek them out one by one. Something about his style just keeps me coming back.

Its been a while since Animat has destoryed a movie

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Well said, amigo. I’ve read a lot of other reviews, critics, and did research on this movie, and I must say…you definitely covered all the bases and brilliantly explained what this movie is, at its core. Right on.

I hope you can do a classic review on finding Nemo in honor of the little mermaid remake because finding Nemo is similar to little mermaid

Ralph lit the fuse. The whole new revolution in animation and film is coming and we aim to misbehave.

The next movie is The Land Before Time isn’t it?

Hey Animat, at some point for your Classic reviews, there's a couple movies I'd really like to see you review one day, particularly because they don't get as much love from the other animation critics on the internet. One maybe for good reason, the other is underrated. The films I'd like you to look over one day are: Tubby the Tuba [1975; 1977] [I have 2 years listed because the film's release date is April 1st, 1975, but the copyright date on the opening credits says 1977 according to the roman numerals]. and Nutcracker Fantasy [1979] [If you do look over his one, avoid the "remastered" copy here on RU-vid; it's a cut-down version of the already shortened English dub, and has the live-action ballet sequences removed in favor of animated ones. If you want the authentic experience, either just watch the original 94 minute Japanese version, or the 81 minute English dub.] If you don't take requests for reviews, then there's no need to review these films, but in case you do, then the decision's up to you.

Whats going to be the next animation lookback brunet A) annoying orange B) nickedoleon C) hit entertement D) aumsum Let me know

The next one will be The Land Before Time, if I'm not mistaken.

Someone posted this movie to youtube and I just watched it last night which is probably why this review popped up today. I have to say I whole heartedly agree with your review.

20:57 Well well well, if it isn't the original Malty Melromarc only blonde, American and targets black people.

Ralph Bakshi, Richard Williams, Hayao Miyazaki, Chuck Jones, Wolfgang Reitherman and Don Bluth... The best of the best. :)

Fantastic video as always man

Is The Land Before Time next?

I love this film to, I put this movie along with Spike Lee films that teach about the wicked American System and the racism towards people who look like me. Honestly this is Song of the South cranked up and giving truth. This is a movie that needs to be watched today.

Well, next one is going to be a softer one instead of a harder one. And this one is going to be the 1st movie of a major franchise where it has dinosaurs on it.

the Land Before Time is next! Yep Yep Yep!

Lol the opening line of “f-k you”

Ok so the Godfather's sons being crossdressing gay nymphomaniacs was a extra jab at the mafia and how they petray themselves as macho

Good timing since this is shortly after splash mountain closed

An Italian RU-vidr just found the LOST MOMA's cut of the movie and published on YT. It's italian dubbed but it is long 1:39:15. The youtuber's name is 151eg

Dude, be proud. I really enjoyed your review! 🎉

I liked this movie. I just have one question. What the hell is Fox supposed to be? Rabbit and Bear look like a rabbit and bear but, Fox looks nothing like a fox. He kind of looks like Squidward did when his head deflated after his nose popped off. I don't know the name of the episode but Krabs leaves Squidward in charge of the Krusty Krab and he tries to trick Spongebob into doing everything. He then drives himself crazy thinking that Spongebob is going to destroy everything while he's gone.

3:52 When he tricks Simple Savior and his goons into throwing him out of a window into a garbage can where he was "born and raised": this pays homage to the original folk tale of Br'er Rabbit getting stuck in Br'er Fox's tar baby and solving his predicament by tricking him into throwing him into a briar patch, where he was born and raised and in his element while it's impassable for Br'er Fox. This establishes that Br'er Rabbit is in his element in the crime-ridden streets of Harlem and will easily rise to the top of its food chain. But, given that he essentially admits that he is a garbage person: his ambition is selfish and coming to power won't make any substantial changes for Harlem, much less positive ones. By the time his story ends and we cut back to the present day: his exploits are nearly forgotten with only an old fool to recount them and nobody to give a rat's ass about it.

This movie was known as Street Fight when it was only released on VHS it is one of those movies i have heard stories about

Who is gonna tell him this is a slur and he said it too proudly💀

I’ve been asleep 😴 and was literally dreaming 💭 that this review was going to be Coonskin

He's actually doing the land before time, I hope he talks about the 11 minutes that were cut from the film, ooooooooooooooh.

Get this, I came across this movie on RU-vid and as I play the feature, it start off with a whimsical fanfare of the classic Walt Disney Pictures variant logo (Blue and White)., then got to the serious intro. Freaking hilarious 😂 🤣

This movie is more about corruption on so many levels and how they pit everyone against each other than what everyone seems to focus on. Which just tells you that there's still a lot of work to do to take down that corruption. We need Rabbit now more than ever. imo