Disney has made significant creative decisions in adapting Dodie Smith’s work 101 Dalmatians and its sequel. Although the original story presents intriguing and deep elements, the film versions opt for a lighter and more accessible approach for the child audience. In particular, the sequel notably deviates from the plot outlined by Smith, focusing on situations and characters that do not exist in the book.
A plot that is quite… peculiar
In the original plot, The Starlight Barking introduces a catastrophic event where all living beings are paused, allowing dogs to acquire special powers such as telepathy and the ability to fly. This philosophical narrative explores the relationship between humans and pets, and presents a critique of humanity’s self-destruction in the context of the Cold War and nuclear threats, elements that Disney deemed too dark for a children’s movie.
The story predicts that dogs must decide between abandoning their human owners to live in a utopian world or staying and facing a bleak future. This profound dilemma is completely lost in the Disney sequel, which opts for a more superficial approach. While the book leads us to an existential reflection, the film advocates for a lighter tone, filled with adventure and humor.
The story of the original movie has been etched in collective memory, with the characters Pongo and Perdita, and their litter of puppies kidnapped by Cruella de Vil. However, in the sequel, the narrative diverges from these events, incorporating twists not found in the literary work, such as Cruella’s supposed behavioral therapy, which introduces a completely different dynamic to the story.
In summary, Disney’s film adaptation of 101 Dalmatians and its sequel have varied drastically from the original material, leaving aside deep philosophical concepts for a more accessible and entertaining narrative.
