Peter and the Wolf is a 1946 animated short film produced by Walt Disney, based on the 1936 musical composition and fairy tale by Sergei Prokofiev. The film was originally released as a segment in Make Mine Music and was narrated by Sterling Holloway. It was later reissued in 1947 as a standalone short accompanying the re-release of Fantasia and subsequently made available on home video in the 1990s.
Background and Production
During Sergei Prokofiev’s tour of the West in 1938, he visited Los Angeles and met Walt Disney. Prokofiev performed a piano version of Peter and the Wolf for Disney, whom he referred to in a letter to his sons as "le papa de Mickey Mouse". Disney was impressed by the composition and considered adapting it for Fantasia (1940). However, World War II interrupted these plans, and Disney did not proceed with an animated version of Peter and the Wolf until 1946.
It remains uncertain whether Prokofiev, who was behind the Iron Curtain by that time, was aware of Disney’s adaptation.
Plot Summary
The story follows young Peter, who ventures out to hunt a dangerous wolf that has been lurking near his village. Along the way, he is accompanied by his animal friends:
- Sasha, the songbird
- Sonia, the duck
- Ivan, the cat
However, their adventure takes a dramatic turn when the wolf appears, leading to a suspenseful chase. Ultimately, Peter and his friends manage to capture the wolf, and in a child-friendly change from Prokofiev’s original story, Sonia the duck is revealed to be alive after a seemingly tragic encounter with the wolf.
Changes from Prokofiev's Original Story
Disney’s version of Peter and the Wolf introduced several key changes to make the narrative more accessible and appealing to children:
- The animals are given names:
- Sasha the songbird
- Sonia the duck
- Ivan the cat
- Peter and his friends are already aware of the wolf and prepare to catch him at the beginning of the story.
- The hunters are given names: Misha, Yasha, and Vladimir.
- Peter carries a wooden pop-gun and daydreams about hunting the wolf.
- Unlike the original version, Sonia the duck is not eaten by the wolf. Instead, she hides inside a hollow tree, leading Peter and his friends to mistakenly believe she has been devoured. When the wolf is captured, Sonia emerges unharmed, reuniting with her friends.
Music and Narration
Disney retained Prokofiev’s musical composition, where each character is represented by a specific musical instrument:
- Peter – String instruments
- Sasha (songbird) – Flute
- Sonia (duck) – Oboe
- Ivan (cat) – Clarinet
- The Wolf – French horns
- The Hunters – Timpani and bass drum
Narration was provided by Sterling Holloway, whose voice guided the audience through the story. A separate audio recording of this version, with expanded narration, was released on Disneyland Records (DQ-1242).
Home Media Releases
Peter and the Wolf has been included in multiple home media releases:
- DVD: Walt Disney Gold Classic Collection – Make Mine Music
- DVD: Walt Disney’s It’s a Small World of Fun! Vol. 2
- VHS: Belle's Tales of Friendship, featuring an alternative narration by Belle instead of Sterling Holloway
- TV Appearance: Featured in House of Mouse
Legacy
Disney’s Peter and the Wolf remains one of the most recognizable adaptations of Prokofiev’s work. Though it deviates from the original darker tone, its humorous and engaging animation, combined with Prokofiev’s iconic score, has made it a beloved classic among Disney’s animated shorts.