10 Animated Disney Films That Made Big Changes To The Source Material

4. The Fox And The Hound

Based Upon: 'The Fox and the Hound' by Daniel P. Mannix The tale of The Fox and The Hound well-known. The tale of Copper (the hound) and Tod (the fox) who were childhood best friends that get parted by their owners. Once grown up, Copper's fellow hunting dog Slade gets seriously wounded by a train while they are hunting Tod. Tod is then released to the wild for his safety. He is still pursued though until he saves their lives. Copper realises that he is truly his friend and stands up to his owner to protect him. The two go their separate ways having made peace. That's the Disney version anyway. In the novel, when Tod reached maturity he returned to the wild. Copper was an older bloodhound who was the leader of his master's pack. Tod happens upon the master's house and taunts the dogs, knowing he is safe as they are chained up. One day Chief, a younger dog, breaks his chain and gets killed by an oncoming train while chasing him. The master obsesses over getting revenge but is unable to catch Tod. He does however manage to kill his family. Eventually Copper chases Tod until the fox dies of exhaustion. Practically dead himself from old age, Copper collapses atop Tod, but his master nurses him back to health. Eventually the master agrees to be put in a nursing home but dogs aren't allowed. So, through his tears, he puts Copper down. Mannix's tale is about the relationship between The Master and his dogs, specifically Copper, as is highlighted by the sombre ending. Disney changed the dynamic entirely to make the story fit more literally to its title. Swapping Tod from an antagonist of sorts, to making Copper's owner the antagonist.