Product Description

There's magic in the memories as great Disney moments are captured right here for you and your family to enjoy. Disney brings to life this classic story based on Mary Mapes Dodge's beloved children's novel. Set in 1860's Holland along the famed Zeider Zee -- young Hans Brinker finds himself responsible for supporting his family after his father becomes injured in an accident. He and his sister Gretel travel to Amsterdam in search of funds to help pay for their father's operation. Their only hope lies in the city's annual ice skating race, where Hans must face off against his arch rival Ludwig Schimmel in the hopes of winning the prize money. Don't miss the heart-pounding race to the finish in this tale of courage and a family's determination to survive that will have everyone cheering!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15774 in DVD
• Brand: BUENA VISTA HOME VIDEO
• Released on: 2004-09-07
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 60 minutes

Customer Reviews

Classic Story, Classic Disney Storytelling
This movie was filmed for the Disney anthology TV series "Walt Disney's Wonderful World Of Color" (also known as "The Wonderful World Of Color") and was shown in two parts on January 7 & 14, 1962. The film was released theatrically outside the United States in 1964. I consider this film among Disney's best live-action films of its time.

The film is based on Mary Mapes Dodge's classic 1865 book of the same title. It is a shame that the book and film are both unknown by most people, because both are very special.

The story has everything I want in a film - characters I can admire and care about, who overcome numerous hardships and earn their happy ending.

The scenery is beautiful - filmed in the Zuider Zee area of Holland near the scenic communities of Comperduin and Volendam, as well as at Rembrandt's home in Amsterdam. The winter scenes for the skating races were filmed in Sweden.

The basic plot is of a brother and sister trying to win a skating race for money for their father's operation. He needs an operation due to brain damage from a head injury. The family is also desperately poor, because only the father knows where their savings are hidden - and he cannot remember. The story is full of adventure, hardship, mystery, and the love of a family for each other.

I first remember this film from seeing it on the Disney Channel in the mid 1980s. I have enjoyed watching the film numerous times over the years and am thrilled to finally have a chance to buy it on DVD.

silver skates
This was a wonderful uplifting family movie and was understood even by my 5 year old grandchild. It held all of our attention thoughout the movie.

Warm story with memories
I'm not quite sure how this movie would do with young people today. I saw it once nearly 30 years ago and I loved it and felt the need to buy it just to see it again when it was released on DVD. I found myself remembering certain parts of it and images in an uncanny sort of way.

The story is a bit simplistic, but the scenery is interesting and there is a surreal little dream sequence which is great, though not brilliant. Overall, I got out of it what I wanted and would gladly share this movie with other young people...though I'm not sure how much of their attention it would hold in this modern age...?