Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Benny's Bathtub Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 2, 2023

A little boy’s imagination goes wild in 1971’s “Benny’s Bathtub,” a Danish animated short from directors Jannik Hastrup and Flemming Quist Moller. The picture is a freeform viewing experience about the ways of childhood, exploring the high adventure of the mind and the dismissive ways of adults. While it has every opportunity to be oppressive, “Benny’s Bathtub” remains playful and, at times, surreal, following a specific tone of inspiration to have some fun with musical numbers and strange encounters, but also touch on the liberty of youth during its most magical years.

All Benny wants to do is play, using his imagination to take him places he can’t reach while stuck inside his apartment. His Mom is dismissive, preferring to spend time with her friend, Danny, where they smoke cigarettes and talk about the old days, leaving Benny on his own. During a stint outside, Benny manages to catch a tadpole, returning to his home with a special prize. Tracking mud through the living room, Benny is sent to the bathroom for a cleaning, only he uses the time to put on his scuba gear, joining pal Tadpole on a journey through the sea. Making his way to the depths, Benny and Tadpole discover a treasure map, giving them a mission while various creatures seek to distract them with odd behaviors and songs.

Benny’s ready to “play war,” battling his toys at the beginning of the film, only to have his youthful energy rejected by his mother, who recalls her own childhood and the cure of a “good beating” to settle herself. Benny wisely takes his fun to the outdoors, and “Benny’s Bathtub” begins to introduce weird supporting characters, including a man who claims to be an ornithologist, but is probably a pedophile, madly scrambling to answer Benny’s bird questions.

It should be noted that “Benny’s Bathtub” isn’t really for little kids, offering more of a PG-rated odyssey with the eponymous character, who’s soon sent in for a bath, using alone time to create an epic journey into the ocean, joined by his pal, Tadpole. They head into the unknown, encountering bickering skeleton pirates, a multi-colored octopus, and a crab wearing a mitten to hide the large size of his angry claw. The visits allow the production to create musical moments, and the quest involving a hidden treasure is really only of mild interest to the writing, which seems more alert when creating oddity for Benny to observe. This includes a coral castle populated with topless mermaids, who tease a determined “Lobster Boy.”

Benny's Bathtub Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.67:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Benny's Bathtub" is "restored from the original camera negative," with "Blu-ray authoring by David Mackenzie of Fidelity in Motion." While a scrappy animated project, the viewing experience is wonderfully warm and colorful, supported by a fantasy journey that explores various hues of the sea. Primaries are distinct on creatures and clothing, offering rich blue waters and bright red swim trunks. More psychedelic stretches are equally vivid. Animation textures are retained, capturing a feel for the artistry. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is nicely resolved. Source is in good condition.

Benny's Bathtub Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix offers a straightforward understanding of dialogue exchanges, which retain comfortable clarity. Musical moods are secure, with decent instrumentation and vocals, and scoring supports with balance. Sound effects are appreciable.

Benny's Bathtub Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 features film historian Millie Di Chirico.

• Commentary #2 features film historian Mike White.

• "Circleen" (HD) is a Danish children's show, animated and produced by Jannik Hastrup. Episodes include "Sammy Goes Flying" (12:21), "The Snow Mouse" (10:31), and "Escape from America" (14:07), which can be viewed with optional commentary by Millie Di Chirico.

• Interview (59:19, HD) is a video conference conversation with director Jannik Hastrup.

Benny's Bathtub Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Benny's Bathtub" is a loose viewing experience, but an interesting one, brought to life through wonderful animated imagery, giving the picture a pleasing handmade look that also utilizes photo backgrounds. There are lively character designs and charming voicework, and the feature's more questionable creative ideas add to all the appealing weirdness. And, at the center of it all, is a charming appreciation for imagination and its unique power during childhood, taking kids anywhere they want to go.