The Mouse on the Mayflower (1968)

Better Late Then Never

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

This program seemed to emerge when I was two. However long after that in which I saw this, I'm not sure, four or five years, but somewhere along the way, it seemed to be removed from HOliday viewing. There just didn't seem to be as much emphasis on Thanksgiving programs, which is a shame.Also add to the fact this one is animated with illustration, not puppetry as Rudolph and the Winter Warlock are done, so that may have worked against this here, but whereas Frosty is also drawn, he was a Christmas staple.Nevertheless, it seemed the Mayflower Mouse never seemed to air regularly for me as a kid, or maybe it was the central character never spoke, making it difficult to follow his adventures with his little chirps.It's a shame in that regard as it really is delightful, especially for Tennessee Ernie Ford's singing and narration.I think the 'love triangle' with Standish, John and Prisilla took up too much of the story, as well as the comedy relief characters in hillbilly yokels (on the Mayflower?) and the Indian.Nothing else to deal with, I guess.Still, an alltime fave.

Start with the fact that this is historically inaccurate in many important ways.Add to that some of the cheapest, sloppiest animation you can imagine.The only thing vaguely entertaining about this made-for-TV movie is the catchy theme song "Mayflower, Mayflower, sailing brave and free ... bound for glory, this is your story..."Two glaring mistakes among many others: William Brewster was the religious leader of the "Pilgrims" - not William Bradford as depicted in the film. Bradford was elected governor of the colony.John Alden was not a Pilgrim but rather a hired hand - a cooper or barrel maker in charge of looking after the ship's common cargo. He was an acquaintance of Captain Miles Standish but NOT his assistant as depicted. Ultimately, Alden married Pilgrim maiden Priscilla Mullins at Plymouth and they had a family together.---------- A far better choice for children is the "The Mayflower Voyagers" 1988 from the six-part "This Is America, Charlie Brown" series. That little film is much more accurate and entertaining.

I really enjoyed this movie. As a child I looked forward to the Thanksgiving holiday when this movie would be played on t.v. We had it on tape at one point, but over the years the tape has been lost. I haven't seen it for quite some time and would love to see it on t.v. again. It had a lot of really great information on how the holiday came to be. I would recommend this movie to all those interested in animated shows as well as anyone who would like to watch a great movie on Thanksgiving. I hope they will start playing this show on t.v. again. Every kid should get the chance to watch a fun spirited cartoon on our history.

We recorded the Mouse on the Mayflower in the 80's and have watched it almost every Thanksgiving since. It is very informative and entertaining. It is a good was to teach children the Thanksgiving story. In my opinion it was a great film, I recommend it to families with small children, and grandparents to show to their grandchildren.