''Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown'' is a 1977 American

animated Animation is a filmmaking technique whereby image, still images are manipulated to create Motion picture, moving images. In traditional animation, images are drawn or painted by hand on cel, transparent celluloid sheets to be photographed and e ...

adventure An adventure is an exciting experience or undertaking that is typically bold, sometimes risky. Adventures may be activities with danger such as traveling, exploring, skydiving, mountain climbing, scuba diving, river rafting, or other extreme spo ...

comedy film The comedy film is a film genre that emphasizes humor. These films are designed to amuse audiences and make them laugh. Films in this genre typically have a happy ending, with dark comedy being an exception to this rule. Comedy is one of the o ...

produced by

United Feature Syndicate United Feature Syndicate, Inc. (UFS) is a large American editorial column and comic strip newspaper syndication service based in the United States and established in 1919. Originally part of E. W. Scripps Company, it was part of United Media ( ...

for

Paramount Pictures Paramount Pictures Corporation, commonly known as Paramount Pictures or simply Paramount, is an American film production company, production and Distribution (marketing), distribution company and the flagship namesake subsidiary of Paramount ...

, directed by

Bill Melendez José Cuauhtémoc "Bill" Melendez (November 15, 1916 – September 2, 2008) was an American animator, director, producer, and voice actor. Melendez is known for working on the ''Peanuts'' animated specials, as well as providing the voices of Sno ...

and Phil Roman, and the third in a series of films based on the ''

Peanuts ''Peanuts'' (briefly subtitled ''featuring Good ol' Charlie Brown'') is a print syndication, syndicated daily strip, daily and Sunday strip, Sunday American comic strip written and illustrated by Charles M. Schulz. The strip's original run ext ...

'' comic strip. It was the first ''Peanuts''

feature-length film A feature film or feature-length film (often abbreviated to feature), also called a theatrical film, is a film (motion picture, "movie" or simply “picture”) with a running time long enough to be considered the principal or sole presentation ...

produced after the death of composer

Vince Guaraldi Vincent Anthony Guaraldi (; birth name, né Dellaglio, July 17, 1928 – February 6, 1976) was an American jazz pianist best known for composing music for animated television adaptations of the ''Peanuts'' comic strip. His compositions for this s ...

, who was originally intended to score the film, and used the same voice cast from the 1975 and 1976 TV specials, ''

You're a Good Sport, Charlie Brown ''You're a Good Sport, Charlie Brown'' is the 14th prime-time animation, animated television special based on the comic strip ''Peanuts'' by Charles M. Schulz. It originally aired on the CBS network on October 28, 1975. In this special, Charlie B ...

'', '' Happy Anniversary, Charlie Brown'', and ''

It's Arbor Day, Charlie Brown ''It's Arbor Day, Charlie Brown'' is the 15th prime-time animated television special based on Charles M. Schulz's comic strip ''Peanuts''. The subject of the special is Arbor Day, a secular holiday devoted to planting trees. ''It's Arbor Day, C ...

'', and the same voice cast member from the 1974 TV special, ''

It's a Mystery, Charlie Brown ''It's a Mystery, Charlie Brown'' is the 11th prime-time animated television special based upon the comic strip ''Peanuts,'' by Charles M. Schulz. It originally aired on the CBS network on February 1, 1974. This was the first Charlie Brown tele ...

''. However, Liam Martin voiced Linus van Pelt for the last time in the movie, and went on to voice Charlie Brown in the 1978 TV special, '' What a Nightmare, Charlie Brown!''. This would be Stuart Brotman's final role before his death from a brain aneurysm in 2011. Unlike the previous two ''Peanuts'' theatrical films, Charles M. Schulz wrote an original plot without relying on any specific storyline from the strip. The idea for the film came to him during a family trip, during which he tried

rafting Rafting and whitewater rafting are recreational outdoor activities which use an inflatable raft to navigate a river or other body of water. This is often done on whitewater or different degrees of rough water. Dealing with risk is often a ...

with his wife on Rouge River. However, some gags were taken from the strip, such as the one where Snoopy and Peppermint Patty jump on the waterbed. The film received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics and came 5 years after '' Snoopy Come Home'', and 3 years before '' Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown (and Don't Come Back!!)''.

Plot

The children embark on a journey to Camp Remote, an isolated camp situated in the mountains. Upon arrival, they are introduced to the regimented structure and harsh conditions of camp life. In addition to these challenges, they must contend with a trio of domineering bullies and their aggressive bobcat, Brutus. Even Snoopy and Woodstock find themselves intimidated. The bullies boast of their repeated victories in the annual raft race, though it is soon revealed that their success is achieved solely through deception. Their raft is equipped with an

outboard motor An outboard motor is a propulsion system for boats, consisting of a self-contained unit that includes engine, gearbox and propeller or jet drive, designed to be affixed to the outside of the transom. They are the most common motorised method ...

, radar,

sonar Sonar (sound navigation and ranging or sonic navigation and ranging) is a technique that uses sound propagation (usually underwater, as in submarine navigation) to navigate, measure distances ( ranging), communicate with or detect objects o ...

, and a direction finder, and they employ underhanded tactics to sabotage their competitors. The children are divided into three teams: the boys’ team, consisting of Charlie Brown, Linus, Schroeder, and Franklin; the girls’ team, led by Peppermint Patty and including Marcie, Sally, and Lucy; and Snoopy and Woodstock, who compete independently. Charlie Brown reluctantly assumes leadership of the boys’ team, doubting his abilities. Peppermint Patty, in contrast, is assertive but ineffective, insisting that all decisions be made through secret ballot votes. However, the results do not align with her preferences, prompting her to disregard them in favor of her own judgment. Meanwhile, the bullies’ arrogance results in an early misstep as they crash into a dock, losing valuable time. Throughout the race, the children traverse a variety of landscapes, including dense forests, towering mountains, and a logging community built along a river. Along the way, they encounter numerous challenges such as getting lost, enduring severe storms, and suffering repeated sabotage at the hands of the bullies. During one particularly treacherous storm, Snoopy and Woodstock are separated. Snoopy searches tirelessly for Woodstock, eventually taking refuge in an abandoned cabin for the night, where he has an unsettling encounter with a bear. After a prolonged search, he and Woodstock are joyfully reunited. Later, they arrive at the same cabin where the girls have sought shelter, but rather than being welcomed, they, along with the boys’ team, are forced to camp outside in the snow. As the journey continues, Charlie Brown demonstrates growing confidence and leadership. Though initially blamed for various mishaps, he gradually rises to the occasion, proving himself to be a capable leader. When the bullies ultimately destroy the other teams’ rafts, the boys and girls merge into a single group. Despite ongoing setbacks, Charlie Brown maintains his composure and leads them toward the final stage of the race. As the race nears its climax, the group appears poised for victory due to Charlie Brown’s newfound self-assurance. However, their progress is derailed when Peppermint Patty prematurely initiates a celebration, inadvertently knocking the boys overboard. The girls attempt to rescue them but fall into the water themselves. Seizing the opportunity, the bullies revel in their imminent triumph. However, their consistent recklessness and internal disputes have weakened their raft, and just before reaching the finish line, it collapses and sinks. With all other competitors eliminated, Snoopy and Woodstock remain the only ones in contention. Brutus attempts one final act of sabotage by puncturing Snoopy’s inner tube. Undeterred, Woodstock swiftly constructs a makeshift raft using twigs and a leaf for a sail, continuing toward victory. When Brutus attempts to attack him, Snoopy intervenes, striking the bobcat and ensuring Woodstock’s safe passage. Ultimately, Woodstock crosses the finish line first, securing victory. The bullies begrudgingly concede but vow revenge in the next year’s race. Their threats are cut short when Snoopy subdues Brutus once more, sending him fleeing in terror. As the children prepare to return home, Charlie Brown reflects on the experience, resolving to be more confident and assertive. However, before he can finish speaking, the bus departs without him (just like what happened earlier in the film), forcing him to hitch an alternate ride with Snoopy and Woodstock on a motorcycle.

Voice cast

* Duncan Watson as

Charlie Brown Charles "Charlie" Brown is the Protagonist, principal character of the comic strip ''Peanuts'', syndicated in daily newspaper, daily and Sunday newspapers in numerous countries all over the world. Depicted as a "lovable loser", Charlie Brown ...

Snoopy Snoopy is an anthropomorphic beagle in the comic strip ''Peanuts'' by American cartoonist Charles M. Schulz. He also appears in all of the ''Peanuts'' films and television specials. Since his debut on October 4, 1950, Snoopy has become one of ...

and

Woodstock The Woodstock Music and Art Fair, commonly referred to as Woodstock, was a music festival held from August 15 to 18, 1969, on Max Yasgur's dairy farm in Bethel, New York, southwest of the town of Woodstock, New York, Woodstock. Billed as "a ...

* Gail Davis as

Sally Brown Sally Brown is a fictional character in the comic strip ''Peanuts'' by Charles Schulz. She is the younger sister of main character Charlie Brown. She was first mentioned in May 1959 and throughout a long series of strips before her first appea ...

* Melanie Kohn as Lucy Van Pelt * Liam Martin as Linus Van Pelt * Stuart Brotman as

Peppermint Patty Peppermint Patty is a fictional character featured in Charles M. Schulz's comic strip ''Peanuts''. Her full name, very rarely used in the strip, is Patricia Reichardt. She is one of a small group in the strip who live across town from Charlie ...

* Jimmy Ahrens as

Marcie Marcie is a fictional character featured in the long-running syndicated daily and Sunday comic strip ''Peanuts'' by Charles M. Schulz. Marcie is a studious girl who is sometimes depicted as being terrible at sports. She is friends with the ...

* Greg Felton as Schroeder and Camp Announcer * Tom Muller as Franklin and Bully #3 * Kirk Jue as Bully #1 * Jordan Warren as Bully #2 * Fred Van Amburg as Radio Announcer * Jackson Beck as Brutus Violet,

Patty A patty is a flattened, usually round, serving of ground meat or legumes, grains, vegetables, or meat alternatives. Common ground meat used include beef, bison, elk, turkey, chicken, ostrich, and salmon. Patties are found in multiple cuisine ...

, Shermy,

Pig-Pen Pig-Pen is a fictional character in the comic strip ''Peanuts'' by Charles M. Schulz, syndicated in Daily newspaper, daily and Sunday newspaper, Sunday newspapers in numerous countries all over the world. While amiable, he is a young boy who is, ...

, Frieda, 5, and Roy have silent roles.

Reception

''Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown'' received 3 out of 5 stars in ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'' from

Janet Maslin Janet R. Maslin (born August 12, 1949) is an American journalist, who served as a film critic for ''The New York Times'' from 1977 to 1999, serving as chief critic for the last six years, and then a literary critic from 2000 to 2015. In 2000, M ...

, who wrote: "The film runs an hour and quarter and has a rambling plot about a

regatta Boat racing is a sport in which boats, or other types of watercraft, race on water. Boat racing powered by oars is recorded as having occurred in ancient Egypt, and it is likely that people have engaged in races involving boats and other wa ...

, but it seems less like a continuous story than a series of droll blackout sketches, many of them ending with the obligatory 'Good Grief!' ... The net effect is that of having read the comic strip for an unusually long spell, which can amount to either a delightful experience or a pleasant but slightly wearing one, depending upon the intensity of one's fascination with the basic ''Peanuts'' mystique."

Leonard Maltin Leonard Michael Maltin (born December 18, 1950) is an American film critic, film historian, and author. He is known for his book of film capsule reviews, '' Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide'', published from 1969 to 2014. Maltin was the film criti ...

gave the movie 2.5 out of 4 stars (his lowest rating for the original four ''Peanuts'' movies), stating it's "mildly entertaining, but lacks punch".

Home media

The film was released on

VHS VHS (Video Home System) is a discontinued standard for consumer-level analog video recording on tape cassettes, introduced in 1976 by JVC. It was the dominant home video format throughout the tape media period of the 1980s and 1990s. Ma ...

in 1979 as a

Fotomat Fotomat was an American retail chain of photo development drive-through kiosks located primarily in shopping center parking lots. Fotomat Corporation was founded by Preston Fleet in San Diego, California, in the 1960s, with the first kiosk open ...

exclusive,

Betamax Betamax (also known as Beta, and stylized as the Greek letter Beta, β in its logo) is a discontinued consumer analog Videotape, video cassette recording format developed by Sony. It was one of the main competitors in the videotape format war ag ...

the same year and

LaserDisc LaserDisc (LD) is a home video format and the first commercial optical disc storage medium. It was developed by Philips, Pioneer Corporation, Pioneer, and the movie studio MCA Inc., MCA. The format was initially marketed in the United State ...

in the early 1980s. It was also the very first release in 1981 on RCA's now defunct CED format. The VHS was released to mass markets in the early 1980s. It was released on

again with new artwork on August 17, 1994, and again on October 1, 1996, under the Paramount Family Favorites label. The film was released for the first time on

DVD The DVD (common abbreviation for digital video disc or digital versatile disc) is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 1995 and first released on November 1, 1996, in Japan. The medium can store any ki ...

on February 10, 2015.

References

External links