101 Dalmatians

“101 Dalmatians” is a live-action comedy film released by Walt Disney Pictures in 1996. The movie is based on the 1961 animated classic of the same name, which, in turn, was inspired by Dodie Smith’s novel “The Hundred and One Dalmatians.”

Directed by Stephen Herek, the film stars Glenn Close as the iconic villain Cruella de Vil. The story follows the adventures of Roger and Anita, played by Jeff Daniels and Joely Richardson, respectively, who own two Dalmatians named Pongo and Perdita. When their beloved Dalmatians give birth to 15 adorable puppies, Cruella de Vil becomes obsessed with obtaining the puppies for their fur to create a lavish fur coat.

Cruella enlists the help of her bumbling henchmen, Jasper and Horace, to kidnap the puppies. However, Pongo and Perdita, with the help of other animal friends, lead a daring rescue mission to save their puppies from Cruella’s clutches. The movie is a heartwarming tale of family, friendship, and the power of love.

“101 Dalmatians” received positive reviews from both critics and audiences. Glenn Close’s portrayal of Cruella de Vil was particularly praised, earning her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy.

The film’s success led to a sequel titled “102 Dalmatians,” which was released in 2000. Glenn Close reprised her role as Cruella de Vil in the sequel as well.

“101 Dalmatians” is often cited as one of the successful live-action adaptations of Disney’s animated classics. It was praised for its witty humor, charming performances, and the impressive use of animatronics and special effects to create the large pack of Dalmatian puppies.

The success of “101 Dalmatians” also paved the way for Disney to produce more live-action adaptations of its classic animated films, creating a trend that continues to this day.

Overall, “101 Dalmatians” remains a beloved and timeless family film that captures the spirit of the original animated classic while adding its own unique charm and humor. The film’s enduring popularity has solidified its place as a beloved Disney live-action classic.

Fun Facts

The 1996 version of “101 Dalmatians” is a live-action adaptation of Disney’s animated classic from 1961. It stars Glenn Close as the iconic villain Cruella de Vil.
Glen Close’s portrayal of Cruella de Vil is memorable. She wore 47 different costumes in the film, each more extravagant than the last.
To create the realistic look of 101 Dalmatian puppies, a combination of real Dalmatians, animatronics, and computer-generated imagery (CGI) was used. It was a groundbreaking use of CGI for its time.
The film features a cameo appearance by the animated version of Pongo, one of the original Dalmatians, as a nod to the animated classic.
The movie was a commercial success and led to a sequel, “102 Dalmatians,” released in 2000, with Glenn Close reprising her role as Cruella de Vil.