Disney's American Legends


Disney's American Legends is a 2002 direct-to-video animated anthology film hosted by James Earl Jones. It is a compilation of four
previously released animated musical shorts from Walt Disney Animation Studios based on American tall tales. The film features The Brave Engineer, Paul Bunyan, John Henry, and The Legend of Johnny Appleseed which is a segment from the 1948 film Melody Time.
The film's new short is based on John Henry and stars Alfre Woodard and Tim Hodge. John Henry was later released on Blu-ray in Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection on August 18, 2015.

Content

''John Henry">John Henry (2000 film)">John Henry'' (2000)

Retells the story of John Henry, who raced against a steam drill.
Based on the story of Johnny Appleseed, a nurseryman who introduced apple trees to Ohio and Indiana. The short was originally featured in the 1948 film Melody Time.
Based on the story of Paul Bunyan, a folklore giant lumberjack, and his blue-colored ox, Babe.
Based on the exploits of railroad engineer Casey Jones.
Mike Pinsky, of DVD Verdict, reviewed the compilation saying, "If, as James Earl Jones says in the finale, the message of this film is to "look for the heroes around you and celebrate them," Disney's American Legends is an interesting, if half-hearted, attempt to carry out that advice." Kirby C. Holt, Toon Talk, reviewed the compilation saying, "Although the program definitely presents the shorts in descending order of quality, it ends on a high note with these inspirational words from James Earl Jones: "Look for the heroes around you and celebrate them... you can find them in the past, in the present, even in the mirror."