Allegro Non Troppo (1976)

Directed by: Bruno Bozzetto

This review contains a Cartoonish Kitty Carnage Warning!

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: This beautifully designed and hilarious spoof of Disney’s Fantasia is considered by many to be Italian animator Bruno Bozzetto’s magnum opus. Between the animated segments set to classical music is live action footage showing the supposed creation of the film by a presumptuous and enthusiastic narrator (Maurizio Micheli), a sadistic and brutish maestro (Néstor Garay), an orchestra made up of feeble old ladies, a beautiful cleaning girl (Marialuisa Giovannini) and the clever but perpetually tortured lone animator (Maurizio Nichetti.)

Cartoon Cats: All of the musical animated segments are brilliant, but the rendering of Sibelius’ sad waltz Valse Triste just after the halfway mark of the film is a particular fan favorite. The focus of the piece is a sad, scared tabby cat wandering the ruins of a former apartment complex.

Allegro Non Troppo - cartoon tabby cat walking through building ruins

At moments the cat’s eyes reflect memories of happier days when the residence was full of life and laughter.

Allegro Non Troppo - cartoon tabby cat with glowing memories in eyes

The cat’s memory even conjures up a poodle, which briefly terrifies the poor kitty.

Allegro Non Troppo - cartoon tabby cat hissing and arching back

The memories flesh out, allowing the cat to roam through the once colorful, cheerful rooms.

Allegro Non Troppo - cartoon tabby cat with memories glowing in eyes

Allegro Non Troppo - cartoon tabby cat under table in room

Allegro Non Troppo - cartoon tabby cat rubbing against milk bottles

Allegro Non Troppo - cartoon tabby cat sitting happily in chair

Reality returns and the poor cat wanders again before the memories start to come back.

Allegro Non Troppo - cartoon tabby cat smiling at memory

Allegro Non Troppo - cartoon tabby cat smiling with memories in eyes

Allegro Non Troppo - cartoon tabby cat drooling on birthday cake

As the song builds to its end, the memories come crashing down.

Allegro Non Troppo - cartoon tabby cat sitting in building ruins

We won’t give away the ending (except to say it is a real tear-jerker). You simply need to see it for yourself.

Cartoonish Kitty Carnage Warning! There is also an animated white cat which appears during one of the Finale segments, being chased by a mouse with a knife before coming to a bad end.