Horst in Translation ([email protected]) "The Devil and Daniel Mouse" is a 25-minute animated short film from 1978, so this one will soon have its 40th anniversary. It is a Canadian Nelvana English-language production and the director is Clive A. Smith. The music comes from John Sebastian. The main characters in here are two mice who make music, but don't have a lot of success. So one of them (the female) makes a deal with the devil and becomes very successful. But then the day of revenge comes for her. This is a decent story on morals and friendship and also has a couple fun moments I guess. All in all, it's a solid watch for young and not so young audiences I would say. The message is decent, the music is not bad (not good either though) and the characters are nicely animated and interesting to watch overall. The 1970s have certainly not been among the greatest animated short films had to offer and the Golden Age of Animation was over at that point already, but here we have a television special from 1978 that proves that with all the dark in terms of the genre, there is also some light. I recommend the watch.

Julia Arsenault (ja_kitty_71) I love animation from Nelvana Ltd., along with animation from: Fleischer Studios, Disney Studios, Rankin/Bass, Studio Ghibli from Japan, and Hanna/Barbera. Nelvana has great series like "Redwall," "Class of the Titans," "Little Bear", etc. Yes, Nelvana is an awesome studio. Well anyway, I loved this special "The Devil and Daniel Mouse," after I had watched when I was in Junior High. The special was broadcast as a Halloween special in on October 22, 1978 on Canada's CBC, then released on VHS in the 80s; of course I did not know whether it is a Halloween special, I guess I had heard that Halloween can be the highest satanic holy day, right? Well anyway (again), this musical special is about two young mouse folk singers named Daniel and Jan, who find themselves with a bleak future after finding their audience drying up in favour of rock music. Desperate for a better career and life, Jan vows that she would do anything to become a rock star. Instantly, the Devil arises to take advantage of that and offers to make her a star in exchange for her soul. She agrees and she quickly becomes the star she's dreamed of while Daniel, is left behind. On the night of her greatest triumph - her concert, the devil comes to collect on her soul. In desperation, she turns to Daniel who must attempt the impossible task of trying to find an escape loophole for his girl's release.Nelvana also remade this special as the movie "Rock & Rule," both about a couple in a musical group struggling in talent joints, the female member used in a diabolical scheme, and ending with the heroines dressed in white tatters and their lovers vanquishing an evil with a song from the heart. So my last word that I love this special, with excellent music and a top-notch cast.

movieman_kev This 22 minute short, short of a precursor to the later much better "Rock and Rule", features two folk singer mice who are going nowhere. The female mouse, Jan, signs a deal with the devil to become a hit rock star. So it's up to Daniel Mouse to save her soul. Made in the late '70's this has all the trappings of said decade (crap music, crap clothing and hair style, awful folk tunes) This cartoon is featured on the Second disc of the 2-Disk Collector's Edition of "Rock and Rule", it also comes with a Making of that runs almost as long as the show itself.My Grade: D+

dtucker86 I remember watching this cartoon as a kid growing up in Fairmont, West Virginia (the home of Mary Lou Retton). It is an excellent modern day adaptation of Benet's classic story told in animation. They do a wonderful job of bringing it into the 70's, in fact you could almost say that it is a cartoon for adults in some ways. The message is meaningful in so many ways that a song from your heart sets you free and beats the devil every time. I am so sorry but I still have that song stuck in my head from over twenty years ago......look where the music will take you when your getting low....a song from your heart sets you free and beats the devil every single time.