TheLittleSongbird The first instalment in the Dot film series, 'Dot and the Kangaroo' is one of the better entries of that series of films, is one of Yoram Gross' better films and is one of the best overall examples of Australian animation. While not perfect, it is a lovely film and, while remembered fondly by those who saw it as a child, under-appreciated now.It is agreed that the animation is not too great, lacking in vibrancy and the drawing does lack finesse. A good deal of it is also rather repetitive, particularly in some of the songs. Speaking of the songs, my feelings on them were mixed. The songs that don't really work, due to excessive cheesiness and pointlessness, is "Platypus Duet", "I'm a Frog" and "In the Kangaroo Pouch".However, some of the songs do work. The best song is the sublime "Dreamtime" and "Quark Ducks" is pretty funny, the sometimes hilarious lyrics are easy to quote. "The Bunyip" is suitably creepy without being traumatising.While the animation was not great on the most part, the live photographic backgrounds were very detailed and quite beautifully done. The script is funny, sometimes scary and heart-warming and the characters are engaging with a relatable titular character, a creepy villain and some other fun characters. The voice acting is good from the likes of Barbara Frawley, Spike Milligan and Ron Haddrick.It is the story where 'Dot and the Kangaroo' most shines. Parts are fun and others are scary, but it's the charm and emotional heart that's particularly note-worthy, really warming the heart and moving even the most cynical of adults to at least a tear or two. The messaging is sincere and never preachy or tacked-on.Overall, a lovely film and one of the better Dot films. A good example of Australian animation. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Lee Eisenberg Ethel Pedley wrote the Dot series as a criticism of the humans' impact on Australia's wildlife. And so, Yoram Gross adapted them to film. "Dot and the Kangaroo" has the girl lost in the woods and befriending a marsupial who lost her baby to humans. In the process, Dot comes to develop a better connection to nature.I recommend the movie. It's got some interesting songs, and I like the mix of animation and live action. But mostly it reminds us that we can't separate ourselves from nature as much as we think. After all, you can't fight nature and win. I have a vague memory of seeing some of the Dot movies when I was little, but the characters were dubbed with American accents.PS: One scene has the kangaroo mention a creature called the bunyip. We don't see the bunyip here, but a later movie in the series focused on smugglers who are after him, and we get to meet him.

dbf1979 Australian cinema was in a vibrant state between the 1970's and the mid 1980's.....We had Mountain Men!, Disappearing Girls!, Apocalyptic Futures! and Crocodile Wrestling! We also had "Dot!"....A fun little tale about a lost girl, A Kangaroo and an Adventure In the Australian bush!...With Animation on a live action background, Which was cutting edge in 1977 and secured the movie as a children's favourite.However, Looking back on this movie (After recently buying the boxset!), It's painfully obvious as too the age of it, As The Writing, The Animation, Music and Songs don't stand up well now....Though, It's the type of movie, Where it's good natured charm Overcomes it's obvious flaws.It's certainly worth showing to children..Or adults for that matter?, As it's one of the far too few examples of good Feature length Australian Animation.

wozzasfc This Australian part animation, part live is now nearly 30 years old, and maybe this is the time for a remake. I am never a fan of remakes ordinarily, but though a classic in it's own right, Dot and the Kangaroo is a hazed memory for many adults, and is almost never shown on television for the latest generation of children.The story of a young girl lost in the Australian bush is befriended by a kangaroo who has lost her very own joey (which is never found). The film follows their adventures in returning Dot to her family using some now very dated looking crossover filming between live action and animation, which at the time was very impressive.This is not a traditional feature length cartoon for two simple reasons. Almost every cartoon has a happy, everybody lives happily ever after feel to it...this one doesn't. And there is a creature called a Bunyip in this movie which is going to GET YOU... As a young child, you may just worry about this for a while, especially if you live in Australia... Usually the token scary monster of a cartoon is so over the top it's laughable. This is a little more than that, and must not be dumbed down for any remake. That would be unacceptable!This is a must for anyone who remembers the film and wants a nostalgic trip, but for newcomers, maybe you should wait for a remake (if ever) -or just avoid the film as I have no doubt you will never understand what all the fuss is about. You will hear Dot singing about the best way to travel being in the pouch of a red kangaroo, and switch off immediately. This aside, the film may still appeal to young children.