The Ugly Duckling (1971)

The Ugly Duckling (Danish: Den grimme ælling)is a 1971 Danish-American comedy family film directed by Asbjørn Andersen adapted from the 1843 literary fairy tale The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen.
The Ugly Duckling was theatrically released in Denmark on August 31, 1971, by Egmont Group. It was a commercial failure, Then in America grossing $178,590 thousand on a $2 million budget, and was nominated for six Academy Awards.
Despite being a box office bomb, It gained positive reviews from critics.
== Plot ==
In this animated adaptation, a young bird named Danny who is rejected by his peers due to his unusual appearance. Despite feeling lonely and isolated, Danny finds comfort in his dreams of becoming beautiful and flying with the other birds. However, his hope is soon crushed when he discovers that he will always be different from the others.
One day, while wandering through the forest, Danny meets an old wise owl who teaches him that true beauty comes from within. The owl encourages Danny to embrace his uniqueness and never give up on his dreams. With renewed confidence, Danny returns home and begins to spread joy and happiness wherever he goes.
As time passes, Danny's peers begin to see him in a new light and accept him for who he truly is. They learn valuable lessons about kindness, compassion, and embracing diversity. In the end, Danny realizes that being different is not something to be ashamed of but rather something to be proud of. He learns to love himself and find happiness in his own way.
Throughout the story, themes of self-acceptance, perseverance, and the importance of friendship are woven throughout. The film concludes with a message reminding viewers that everyone has their own unique path in life, and it's essential to appreciate and celebrate individuality.
== Reception and legacy ==
=== Box office ===
The film earned $178,590 thousand in domestic rentals in North America.
=== Critical reception ===
Chicago Sun-Times critic Roger Ebert gave the film four out of four stars in his original review and named it the best animated film of 1971. He later added it to his "Great Movies" list.
=== Sequel ===
On April 16, 2021. a live action remake of the animated film is in development, And set to release on October 31, 2026.
== Home media ==
The film has been released on VHS on December 30, 1991 and was released on DVD by SparkToon Features Home Entertainment on January 28, 2014, Then got reissued on January 15, 2024 as part of the Special Edition Collectioncitation needed]