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Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo
DVD cover
Directed by
Written byTom Rogers
Based onWinnie-the-Pooh
by A. A. Milne
E. H. Shepard
A Christmas Carol
by Charles Dickens
Produced byJohn A. Smith
Starring
Narrated byDavid Ogden Stiers
Edited byRobert S. Birchard
Music byMark Watters
Production
company
Distributed byWalt Disney Home Entertainment
Release date
  • March 9, 2004 (2004-03-09)
[1][2]
Running time
65 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Springtime with Roo (also known as Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo) is a 2004 American animated direct-to-video Easter musical film produced for Walt Disney Pictures by Disneytoon Studios, and animated by Toon City Animation in Manila, Philippines.

The film features the characters from Disney's Winnie the Pooh franchise, based on the original characters from the books by A. A. Milne and E. H. Shepard. The story is loosely based on Charles Dickens' 1843 novella A Christmas Carol.

Unlike the previous Winnie the Pooh direct-to-video animated films A Very Merry Pooh Year and Seasons of Giving, Springtime with Roo does not reuse any episodes from The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.

Plot

[edit]

On Easter day in the Hundred Acre Wood, Roo and his friends Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and Eeyore visit Rabbit's house, where they expect to celebrate Easter. Upon arrival, the friends discover that Rabbit has replaced the Easter celebration with a Spring Cleaning Day. In Rabbit's absence, the group discover that all of their Easter ornaments had been hidden in Rabbit's closet. Assuming that Rabbit had simply forgotten about Easter, the gang decide to surprise Rabbit by decorating his house with the ornaments, but once Rabbit discovers this, he angrily kicks everyone out of his home for disobeying his orders.

Seeing Roo saddened over the events, Tigger returns to Rabbit's house to try reasoning with him. Still upset with his friends, Rabbit insists that Easter will never be celebrated in the Hundred Acre Wood again. Confused as to why Rabbit no longer likes Easter, Tigger and the story's narrator take Rabbit back through the book to last Easter's celebration, which was sometime after Kanga and Roo had moved to the Hundred Acre Wood. On that day, Rabbit had insisted on an organized Easter party, but his strict behavior annoyed everyone to the point that Tigger led the group into sneaking away to celebrate Easter without Rabbit, leaving him feeling left out. Embittered by the past, Rabbit continues to disallow Easter.

Tigger returns to the present and informs his friends of the reason behind Rabbit's banning of Easter, causing Roo to sympathize with Rabbit. Meanwhile, Rabbit also returns to the present, but the Narrator purposefully stops on the wrong page, where Rabbit finds Kanga and Roo's house and overhears Roo stating his wish to cheer Rabbit up, though this fails to change Rabbit's mind. Frustrated with Rabbit's stubbornness, the Narrator transports him to the future, where Rabbit's Spring Cleaning Day celebration has been organized just as he wanted. However, Rabbit is horrified to learn that all of his friends have left the Hundred Acre Wood, causing him to realize the consequences of his selfishness.

Rabbit wakes up the next morning to realize that the events were just a dream and that he still has a chance to change the future. Meanwhile, Roo decides to cheer Rabbit up by repairing his Easter hat, which the latter had damaged yesterday in his frustration. While Roo and his friends work on their surprise, Rabbit arrives at Roo's house to reveal that he has prepared a bigger and better Easter celebration, thrilling everyone as they all participate in the festivities.

Voice cast

[edit]
Main article: List of Winnie-the-Pooh characters

Production

[edit]

The film was produced by DisneyToon Studios, and its animation was outsourced to Toon City in Manila, Philippines.

Home media

[edit]

The film was released on direct-to-DVD and direct-to-VHS on March 9, 2004. It included the theatrical trailer for Pooh's Heffalump Movie and two episodes from The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh ("Honey for a Bunny" and "Trap as Trap Can"). The film was later released on Blu-ray on March 11, 2014 (for the 10th anniversary of the film) as the Hippity-Hoppity Roo edition. The film is a part of Disney Movies Anywhere program.[3]

Songs

[edit]

All tracks are written by Mark Watters.

No.TitlePerformer(s)Length
1."We're Huntin' Eggs Today"Jimmy Bennett, Jim Cummings, Jeff Bennett & Peter Cullen 
2."Sniffly Sniff"Jim Cummings 
3."Easter Day with You"Jimmy Bennett, Jim Cummings, Jeff Bennett & Peter Cullen 
4."The Way It Must Be Done"Ken Sansom & Chorus 
5."Easter Day with You (Reprise)"Jimmy Bennett 
6."The Grandest Easter of Them All"Ken Sansom 
7."Easter Day with You (Finale)"Ken Sansom & Chorus 

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Springtime with Roo

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Springtime with Roo is a 2004 American animated produced by and released by [Walt Disney Pictures](/page/Walt Disney Pictures). The 65-minute feature centers on characters from A.A. Milne's stories, with young kangaroo leading his friends—, , Piglet, and —in convincing a disgruntled to embrace celebrations over his proposed " Day." Directed by Blinkoff and Elliot M. Bour, the story draws loose inspiration from Charles Dickens's , reimagining its themes of redemption and holiday spirit in an context, where the film's narrator acts as ghostly guides to help rediscover joy and friendship. The film features voice performances by as Winnie the Pooh, as the narrator, as Rabbit, as , as Piglet, and as Kanga, among others, with original songs with music composed by and lyrics by John Kavanaugh, performed by the voice cast, to enhance its musical elements. Produced as part of Disney's ongoing video series, it emphasizes moral lessons on sharing special days with loved ones, targeting young children with colorful animation and lighthearted adventures in the . Upon release on March 9, 2004, the film received mixed reviews, praised for its family-friendly charm and cute visuals but critiqued for predictable plotting, earning a 64% audience score on . It has since become a seasonal favorite, available on streaming platforms like Disney+, continuing to introduce new generations to the Pooh franchise's themes of kindness and community.

Synopsis

Plot

The story opens on Easter morning in the , where wakes up filled with excitement for the annual egg hunt and festivities at 's house. Accompanied by Pooh, Piglet, , and , eagerly leads the group to 's garden, anticipating the traditional celebrations. However, upon arrival, they discover that has canceled entirely in favor of "Spring Cleaning Day," citing past disappointments with disorganized egg hunts that left him feeling unappreciated and overworked. Undeterred, Roo attempts to revive the Easter spirit by discovering hidden eggs and decorations in 's closet, prompting the friends to secretly prepare a surprise party inside the house. Their efforts lead to chaos, with Pooh accidentally spilling and the others making a mess during cleaning tasks, which infuriates and results in him angrily sending everyone away. Later, confronts and transports him via flashback to the previous , revealing how 's overly rigid planning caused the friends to enjoy the day without him, deepening his resentment and decision to ban future celebrations. The narrator then intervenes to show the current disappointment among his friends, particularly 's , before envisioning a bleak future where lives in isolation, shunned by the group for his selfishness. These visions, structured similarly to visits from holiday spirits, compel to reflect on his actions. Realizing the error of his ways, Rabbit apologizes to his friends and embraces the Easter traditions, organizing a grand celebration complete with egg hiding around the garden. The group participates in a joyful led by , followed by a where they share treats and laughter. Roo's optimism serves as the catalyst for , culminating in a final group that unites everyone in springtime cheer.

Themes

Springtime with Roo explores the primary theme of redemption and second chances through Rabbit's transformation, paralleling Scrooge's arc in ' A Christmas Carol. Rabbit, initially embittered by a past failed attempt at organizing an egg hunt where he aspired to be the Easter Bunny, cancels the holiday in favor of , reflecting a Scrooge-like rejection of joy. Guided by visions of past disappointments, present isolation, and a gloomy future without communal celebration, Rabbit ultimately embraces renewal and restores , underscoring the possibility of personal change when confronted with one's regrets. The film emphasizes the importance of community and shared holidays over rigid individual routines, as Rabbit's friends in the unite to challenge his solitary focus on cleaning. This collective intervention highlights how interpersonal bonds foster emotional growth, prioritizing festive traditions that bring everyone together rather than personal agendas that isolate. Through this motif, the story conveys that true fulfillment arises from participating in group rituals, reinforcing bonds among characters like Pooh, , Piglet, and . Central to the narrative is the celebration of spring and as symbols of renewal, joy, and innocence, viewed largely through Roo's youthful perspective. Roo's excitement for the and festivities embodies unspoiled wonder, driving the plot as he rallies others to revive Easter despite Rabbit's resistance. This portrayal subtly addresses overcoming past disappointments, such as Rabbit's botched , by encouraging characters to let go of failures and embrace the present's possibilities, transforming setbacks into opportunities for fresh beginnings. The special adapts the structure of , with serving as a Marley-like figure revealing the past, the narrator manipulating time to depict the present and future, and standing in for [Tiny Tim](/page/Tiny Tim) as an innocent catalyst for change. This framework amplifies the moral lessons on and festivity, relocating Dickens' Christmas redemption to an setting to explore seasonal rebirth.

Production

Development

Springtime with Roo was conceived as the latest installment in Disney's direct-to-video holiday specials featuring the characters, continuing the tradition established by earlier releases such as in 1999 and , also from 1999. These specials aimed to extend the franchise's appeal through seasonal storytelling drawn from A.A. Milne's original works. The writing process centered on adapting Milne's characters into an Easter-themed narrative loosely inspired by ' . This approach allowed for a focus on elevating to the title role, positioning the young as a central figure to engage younger audiences while emphasizing themes of spring renewal and holiday joy. Development progressed at , with initial announcements appearing around 2003 via teaser trailers included on releases like . Key creative decisions included centering the story on Rabbit's personal backstory and the communal seasonal traditions of the , culminating in the film's premiere on March 9, 2004.

Animation

Springtime with Roo was primarily produced by DisneyToon Studios in the United States, with the animation outsourced to Toon City Animation in Manila, Philippines. This collaboration allowed for the creation of detailed hand-drawn visuals characteristic of the studio's output during the early 2000s. The film utilized a traditional 2D hand-drawn animation style, maintaining consistency with prior direct-to-video entries in the Winnie the Pooh franchise, such as The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and its sequels. This approach emphasized fluid character movements and expressive designs, particularly in scenes depicting the Hundred Acre Wood's whimsical environments. The 65-minute runtime integrated musical sequences seamlessly with narrative elements, including flashback scenes that revisited past Easter celebrations to advance the story's emotional arc. Editing ensured smooth transitions between everyday spring cleaning routines and the fantastical visits from "ghosts" of Easters past, present, and yet to come, enhancing the film's rhythmic pacing. The animation incorporated vibrant springtime colors—such as lush greens, blooming pastels, and sunny yellows—alongside Easter motifs like decorated eggs, baskets, and bunny figures in backgrounds and character accessories, contributing to a festive and immersive visual tone.

Personnel

Voice cast

The voice cast of Springtime with Roo consists of veteran Disney voice actors who reprise their roles from previous productions, delivering performances that emphasize the characters' distinct personalities in this Easter-themed adaptation. The ensemble includes both speaking and voices, with notable contributions that enhance the story's emotional arc centered on Roo's enthusiasm and Rabbit's transformation.
ActorRole(s)Notable Aspects
Jimmy BennettProvides an energetic and innocent portrayal as the young leading the spring festivities, central to the narrative's focus on and renewal.
/ Delivers dual voices for the laid-back, honey-loving and the bouncy, exuberant , maintaining consistency with prior Pooh franchise entries.
RabbitOffers a first-rate performance as the grumpy, control-freakish gardener undergoing a Scrooge-like redemption, capturing the character's initial resistance and eventual warmth.
PigletVoices the timid, supportive piglet with a quivering delivery that underscores his loyalty amid the group's adventures.
Piglet (singing voice)Supplies the singing vocals for Piglet, adding a gentle, harmonious touch to musical sequences.
Portrays the melancholic donkey, using a somber tone to represent one of the "ghostly" figures in Rabbit's visions.
NarratorProvides elegant, mellifluous narration that frames the tale with a comforting, warmth, guiding the audience through Rabbit's arc.
KangaVoices the nurturing mother , offering a caring and maternal presence supportive of 's initiatives.
Andre StojkaDelivers the wise but absent-minded owl's lines with scholarly flair in brief appearances.
Overall, the vocal performances are praised for their quality and fidelity to A.A. Milne's originals, contributing to the special's appeal without overshadowing the or music.

Crew

The film was directed by Saul Blinkoff and Elliot M. Bour, who shaped its overall creative vision and directed individual scenes. John A. Smith served as producer, managing the budget and coordinating efforts between and international partners. The screenplay was written by Tom Rogers, adapting characters and themes from A.A. Milne's original stories. Mark Watters composed the original score, blending whimsical orchestral elements with playful motifs to complement the film's lighthearted tone. Key additional roles included Ed Ghertner, who designed the vibrant springtime visuals and seasonal environments, and a team of artists such as Alex Mann and Frank Montagna, who planned the integration of musical sequences into the narrative flow. The project fell under executive production by , presented as a production.

Music

Songs

"Springtime with Roo" incorporates seven original songs into its 65-minute runtime, each serving to propel the story and highlight character emotions during the Easter-themed adventure. These musical numbers blend upbeat rhythms with heartfelt lyrics, drawing from the whimsical style of the series. The songs are as follows:
TitlePerformersNarrative Function
"We're Huntin' Eggs Today" (), (), (Piglet), ()Builds opening enthusiasm for the egg hunt among the friends.
"Sniffly Sniff" ()Depicts Pooh's comical honey-related mishap amid Rabbit's cleaning efforts.
"Easter Day with You"Reminds the group of the holiday's joy, led by 's innocent perspective.
"The Way It Must Be Done" () and chorusServes as Rabbit's determined anthem for his spring cleaning regimen.
"Easter Day with You (Reprise)" ()Features 's solo plea to restore the Easter celebrations.
"The Grandest Easter of Them All" ()Marks Rabbit's triumphant realization and shift toward embracing fun.
"Easter Day with You (Finale)" () and chorusConcludes with a celebratory ensemble uniting the characters in holiday spirit.

Composition

The original score for Springtime with Roo was composed by , an Emmy Award-winning composer known for his contributions to Disney's animations. Watters collaborated with orchestrator Mark Gasbarro on arrangements, drawing from his experience scoring prior projects to create a whimsical that evokes cheer through light-hearted, character-driven melodies. The score's style reflects influences from earlier Pooh films, incorporating brass elements for festive scenes and softer strings to underscore emotional moments, while integrating spring motifs via upbeat tempos and nature-inspired sounds that enhance the setting. The music was recorded and mixed at O'Henry Studios and the Newman Scoring Stage at 20th Century Fox Studios, with preparation handled by Booker White and Marshall Bowen, ensuring tight synchronization with the animation timing in musical sequences under the guidance of directors Saul Blinkoff and Elliot M. Bour. No separate soundtrack album was released, with the score tailored exclusively for the format to complement the film's narrative without standalone commercial distribution.

Release and reception

Home media

Springtime with Roo was initially released on VHS and DVD on March 9, 2004, by Walt Disney Home Entertainment. The DVD edition featured a 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, with bonus content including the Pooh shorts "Honey for a Bunny" and "Trap as Trap Can", the interactive "Sounds of Spring" activity, and guides for decorating Rabbit's house along with Disney's Art Academy projects like making a butterfly. A Blu-ray edition, titled the Hippity-Hoppity Roo Edition, followed on March 11, 2014, offering enhanced 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 visuals and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 sound, while also integrating with the Disney Movies Anywhere digital service for cross-platform access. Extras on this release comprised a Backstage Pass featurette, interactive art projects, and sing-along options such as "Get Up and Dance!" tied to Rabbit's musical numbers. The film became available for streaming on Disney+ starting November 12, 2019, coinciding with the platform's U.S. launch, and has since featured in seasonal promotions around to highlight its springtime theme.

Critical reception

"Springtime with Roo" received mixed reviews from critics, who generally praised its Easter-themed content and appeal to young children while critiquing its formulaic storyline and unremarkable animation. awarded it 4 out of 5 stars, describing the film as "harmless, colorful, and cute" with songs, silliness, and heart-tugging moments suitable for preschoolers. Variety noted its strong draw for easily amused tykes through familiar characters and passably pleasant original tunes, though the 65-minute runtime felt padded and the plot heavily borrowed from "" with limited innovation. Audience reception has been more positive, particularly among families, with the film earning a 64% approval rating on based on over 5,000 user ratings. On , it holds an average score of 6.3 out of 10 from nearly 3,000 users, who frequently highlighted the enjoyable songs, Roo's charm, and overall delight for viewing, though some criticized the quality as inferior to the 1970s films. Reviewers often called it "delightful but not groundbreaking" within the Pooh series, appreciating its themes of redemption while expressing mixed views on Rabbit's exaggerated overreaction. The special has endured as a popular choice for seasonal family watchings, emphasizing friendship and holiday spirit.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0384696/
  2. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/winnie_the_pooh_springtime_with_roo
  3. https://variety.com/2004/digital/features/winnie-the-pooh-springtime-with-roo-1200534594/
  4. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/winnie-the-pooh-springtime-with-roo
  5. https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-4de7efc4-70c8-4906-bb96-010985af45ef
  6. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0384696/plotsummary/
  7. https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Winnie_the_Pooh:_Springtime_with_Roo
  8. https://movies.disney.com/winnie-the-pooh-springtime-with-roo
  9. https://www.filminquiry.com/57-christmas-carol/
  10. https://www.disneyplus.com/movies/winnie-the-pooh-springtime-with-roo/2Aqm3rkSoYKV
  11. https://d23.com/all-the-ways-to-celebrate-winnie-the-pooh-on-disney/
  12. https://d23.com/winnie-the-pooh/
  13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3pF3dpXLBg
  14. https://www.animationmagazine.net/2004/03/winnie-the-pooh-case-tossed/
  15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzXV7WLzq-c
  16. https://www.retrojunk.com/m/g6Nro9qXhp/winnie-the-pooh-springtime-with-roo
  17. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0384696/fullcredits/
  18. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/movies/Winnie-the-Pooh-Springtime-with-Roo/
  19. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/movies/Winnie-the-Pooh-Springtime-with-Roo/Winnie-the-Pooh/
  20. https://www.alternateending.com/2013/03/disney-sequels-this-place-could-use-some-bounce-in-extra-large-amounts.html
  21. https://www.tvguide.com/movies/winnie-the-pooh-springtime-with-roo/cast/2030098869/
  22. https://vhs-and-dvd-credits.fandom.com/wiki/Winnie_the_Pooh:_Springtime_with_Roo_VHS_2004
  23. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0384696/companycredits/
  24. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jw-vPv6c7SM
  25. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlwAWJpZXCE
  26. https://www.markwatters.com/credits
  27. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0915053/
  28. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0384696/soundtrack/
  29. https://soundcloud.com/markwattersmusic/winnie-the-pooh-springtime
  30. https://movies.fandom.com/wiki/Winnie_the_Pooh:_Springtime_with_Roo/Credits
  31. https://www.what-song.com/Movies/Soundtrack/106551/Winnie-the-Pooh-Springtime-with-Roo
  32. http://disney.go.com/disneyvideos/newsletter/feb2004/spotlight_03.html
  33. https://videolibrarian.com/reviews/childrens/winnie-the-pooh-springtime-with-roo/
  34. https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Winnie-the-Pooh-Springtime-with-Roo-Blu-ray/91556/
  35. https://bluray.highdefdigest.com/10428/winnie_springtime.html
  36. https://www.silive.com/news/2019/10/heres-every-tv-show-movie-coming-to-disney-in-november.html
  37. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/winnie_the_pooh_springtime_with_roo/reviews?type=user
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