I've seen it numerous times and it never ceases to amaze me. It takes a simple part of a landscape, an old fashioned windmill, once used to grind grain, and introduces us to an eco-system that lives in and around it. There are doves, an owl, frogs, bats, a couple bluebirds, and so on in this bucolic setting. They manage to coexist, living in a beautiful balance until one day a storm hits and the mill becomes active. This confuses the residents whose lives depend on everything at stasis. This is probably the most beautiful animation I have ever seen with every image breathtaking. There is also a score that masterfully integrates the incredible scenery with music. The storm is probably the most impressive part of this because the music raises the threat many-fold. Just wonderful.

The Disney cartoon "The Old Mill" depicts a bunch of animals living in an abandoned windmill...and then a violent thunderstorm blows on in. As always, you're helpless against nature.I've never been a fan of Disney, but I liked the depiction of the thunderstorm. This Silly Symphony starts out like any other Disney cartoon: nauseatingly cute with everything drawn to look as realistic as possible...until the elements take over. Sixty-eight years later, Hurricane Katrina showed everyone just how violent the weather can get. But anyway, this cartoon is OK.In conclusion, the answer really is blowin' in the wind.

I can't praise this beautiful masterpiece of a cartoon enough. The animation is absolutely stunning, and the storm effects were excellent, certainly give Snow White and Fantasia a run for their money. I didn't find the Old Mill dull in any way, it was beautiful and just perfect. Another special mention has to go to the music, its lyricality somehow reminded me of the countryside on a beautiful summer's day, and the animals the swallows especially were a delight. They never spoke, but were beautifully incorporated into the story, and there was a lot of genuine fright when the storm started. Who wouldn't be frightened, it was a truly wonderful moment. Overall, just beautiful, I can't find another word to describe how good it really was. I will admit I forgot I was watching a eight minute or so cartoon, and insisted I was watching a work of art. 10/10 Bethany Cox

The folks at Disney won an Oscar for this astonishing piece of work and deservedly so! It's got to be one of the most meticulously done animations I have seen in my life! The detail work is inspired and it's apparent that a great deal of time, effort and creativity was given to this gem. While it isn't available commercially (like far too much of the shorter animation done for the Mouse), it do run on the Ink and Paint Club periodically. I wish they would release more of the animated shorts and the live-action shorts and documentaries they did in the 1940's and 1950's. *sigh* The puck is on his stick, he's skating for the net, he shoots, he scores and the place goes crazy! Most unreservedly recommended.