Love Beyond Romance: Tod And Copper

Intro

This is the start of a new series on this blog that I like to call Love Beyond Romance. We all love our romance in novels and movies. Many have been upset that there hasn't been a love interest in Disney for a while...

But while I love a good romance myself, there is more to love than just romantic. Many characters have allies who they grow close to. But they don't even have to play a big role. Some friendships appear on the screen just a few times, but to me, it makes an impact. Let's of course also not forget about sibling love.

Today, we are going to look at an old movie about friendship, possibly the first one and one that really focuses on the friendship. A little fox, and an adorable little puppy that meet, and instantly become friends. Not knowing they should be enemies.

You've guessed it! It is time to dive into the movie of The Fox And The Hound. Analyzing the friendship between the two.

Childhood Friendship, But Not Allowed

We see a glimpse of both of them in their daily life. Tod is a little lonely because no one wants to play with him, and his owner is busy with the farm work. Copper is just outside with Chief, also having his usual morning. Until he smells something he has never smelled before, and goes to see what it is, against his master's wishes.

 

They're just doing their own thing, until Tod notices Copper sniffing around and his interest is caught. The two of them instantly hit it off and soon start to play together as if they have been knowing each other for a very long time.

 

Writer's note: It might seem quick and unrealistic to have this in a book or movie. But think about how you made friends yourself when you were a kid on a new school day, or even vacation... Personally, I could meet someone and instantly play with them without even knowing them. Even in a foreign country where we couldn't actually understand each other. If you want to write about kids, even as a side character, think about the way you were as a kid. This is how they act. Including believing you will always be best friends forever.

 

Sadly, the two of them are separated very quickly by their owners, who don't seem to like each other. Also the other animals don't think they should be playing together, just because one is a fox, and the other is supposed to be a hunting dog. But the two of them don't see it that way and just see each other as the best of friends. The song 'Best Of Friends' says it all.

 

 "If only the world wouldn't get in the way. If only people could just let you play..."

After some mischievous playfulness from Tod, and a misunderstanding, the two are completely separated by their owners. Tod is forced to stay inside. But not long after, he watches Copper leave with his owner for a hunting trip, and they won't be back for a very long time. The two of them don't even get a chance to stay goodbye.

Writer's Note: To be honest, this could be a fun plot, or at least sub-plot for a book. Two people from very different families becoming friends, but needing to deal with other people's judgement about their friendship. Sort of Romeo And Juliet, but without the romance. It could be a quite interesting thing if done well. Doesn't even have to be kids, it could be teenagers, or even adults.

We Won't Ever Change... Or Will We?

Time quickly goes by and both Copper and Tod are adults now. The moment Tod sees Copper coming back, he thinks everything will be just as it was when they were kids. Technically just a few months have gone by. What could change within a few months?

Copper is also glad to see Tod, but he tells him to stay away, because of Chief and his owner. Because the moment they see him, they will go after him again. But Tod doesn't listen and once again Chief wakes up and goes after him, getting into a dangerous situation once again.

This clearly showcases a few of Tod's bad traits. He is adorable, yes, but he is also reckless and VERY stubborn. Copper tried to warn him. He tried to tell him to stay away, but he refused to listen. He also refused to listen when he was a child, which is why the first chase happened and he had to be locked up.

Writer's note: Once again, we show a main character who is not perfect. He has his good traits of being loyal and adventurous. But his bad traits get him into trouble. This is what it should be like in every story with every main character, and this is no exception either.

The chase scene is a very intense scene. This time it is not only Chief and the Hunter who go after him, but Copper himself is let loose to hunt him... And he does. Or at least he pretends too. Remembering their childhood friendship, he finds Tod and tells him he'll let him go this one time, because he doesn't want to see him get killed. He still has loyalty for his old friend, even though he is also loyal to his owner and Chief.

Sadly, this is where things go down hill. Even though Tod runs, and Copper distracts his owner, Chief finds Tod. After a short chase, Chief gets hit by a train and hurt. Copper blames Tod for what happened, indicating he wanted him to stay hidden, instead of running away too fast. He vows to get Tod for what happened. This is where the two best friends have turned on each other. Just like everyone always told them that they could not be friends.

Writer's Note: To be honest, in my opinion, it would have made a better impact if Chief had died from this, instead of just having a busted leg. They changed it because it's a Disney movie, but in this case, it would have made a better impact. Taking revenge for simply a busted leg, instead of for the death of someone you looked up to is a little bit underwhelming if you ask me.

The Old Feelings Never Disappear

The last part of the movie is a cat and mouse chase between Tod and Copper. They even fight each other for a small moment because Tod wants to protect his new girlfriend. But it soon turns into a bear fight. The hunter is attacked by the bear, and Copper tries to protect him. Obviously a large bear against a dog, is a very unfair battle.

Tod is running away, but then he hears Copper's painful whines. You can see him stop, continue and stop again, clearly in distress and conflicted. His old best friend was hunting him but now he is in danger. He could run away and be safe. Start a new life and forget about his old life... But his memories with Copper are still there, and he turns back to fight the bear.

By the end of the whole scene, Tod is weak and injured, barely able to even walk. The hunter is prepared to kill him, like they've planned too. But Copper also remembers his best friend. He steps in front of Tod, begging his owner not to kill him. They then go their separate ways...

Writer's note: This is honestly an open ending. You can see the ending as going their separate ways and never seeing each other again... But at the ending image, you can see Tod sitting on a hill, watching his old home, and copper. Maybe they see each other again. Maybe they never will... Who knows? I suppose that is the viewers or readers job to think about.

Conclusion

Though one of the oldest Movies from Disney, it is also a very great one about friendship. There isn't even really a villain in it, unless you count the hunter as one... I don't, to be honest, not even Chief. But that is a topic for some other time.

Let me all know what you thought of this essay, and what you would like to see me cover. What is your favorite Disney familial or friendship love?  

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