The Tortoise and the Hare

The Tortoise and the Hare

Year: 1935

Runtime: 9 mins

Language: English

Director: Wilfred Jackson

FantasyFamilyAnimation

After the boastful hare pauses to brag, the steady tortoise crosses the finish line first. Released on January 5, 1935 by United Artists, the Disney‑produced short was directed by Wilfred Jackson and adapts Aesop’s classic fable. It earned the 1934 Academy Award for Best Short Subject: Cartoons and is cited as an early influence on Bugs Bunny.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Tortoise and the Hare (1935)

Trace every key event in The Tortoise and the Hare (1935) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Race begins; Max blasts ahead

The starting pistol fires and Max rockets into the lead, stamping his authority on the opening stretch. He sets a blistering pace that leaves Toby to chase. The crowd roars as the favorites pull away from the pack.

Start Starting line / road
2

Max vows fair play, but intent is to humiliate

Before the race settles in, Max tells Toby he plans to play fair, yet his smirk and tone reveal a desire to embarrass his slower rival. He projects confidence and taunts the idea of a close race. Toby steels himself for a tough, but fair, test.

Start Starting line
3

Max pretends to nap under a tree

Max stops and pretends to nap beneath a tree, hoping Toby will slow or slip up. Toby, sure the other racer is asleep, quietly creeps past him and takes a slight lead. The moment crystallizes the tension of the contest.

Early race Road by tree
4

Max wakes and charges past

Realizing the ruse hasn't derailed Toby, Max suddenly wakes and bolts forward, reclaiming the lead with renewed speed. He drives ahead, aiming to crush the challenge before Toby can regroup. The crowd watches the dramatic shift with wide eyes.

Early-mid race Road
5

Max passes a girls' school and chats with the bunnies

As Max remains in front, he passes a girls' school and stops to boast with the female bunnies, soaking up attention from the crowd. The interruption gives Toby a moment to close the gap, though he keeps moving. The diversion illustrates Max's willingness to savor glory at the expense of focus.

Mid-race Past a girls' school
6

Toby breaks into the lead while Max socializes

While Max basks in the spectators' applause, Toby begins to push forward and slips into the lead. He uses the moment to show steady, disciplined acceleration instead of flashy tricks. The shift marks Toby's resurgence in the race.

Mid-race Road past the school
7

Max decides to show off again on the field

Max uses the girls' sports field to display impressive athletic skills in archery, baseball, and tennis, trying to widen his advantage again. The distraction slows him temporarily and interrupts his momentum. Toby keeps a measured pace, remaining a constant threat.

Mid-late race Girls' sports field
8

Crowd cheers; Toby nears the finish

Hearing the swell of the crowd, Max realizes Toby isn't far from the finish line. The sense of the finish tightens the atmosphere and sharpens everyone's focus. Toby's resolve grows as the finish line moves closer.

Near finish Road near finish
9

Max vows to overtake and chases after the finish

Max kisses the girls goodbye, abandons any lingering distraction, and charges off with renewed determination. He casts aside complacency and tries to reel Toby in at the last moment. The momentum shifts quickly as the endgame approaches.

Final stretch From the field to the road
10

Toby stretches his legs; the gap narrows

Toby responds to the challenge by stretching his legs and speeding up the pace. The lead tightens and both rabbits push toward a dramatic finish. The crowd holds its breath as the two contenders battle to the line.

Final stretch Final stretch
11

Finish line confrontation: Toby leads by a neck

The race ends in a tight duel as Toby maintains a slim lead toward the finish. Max fights to close the distance, but Toby stays ahead by a neck's length. The tension of the finish remains high until the final moment.

Finish Finish line
12

Max crosses the line in second, realizing the defeat

Max reaches the finish line shortly after Toby and skids to a halt, slowly standing up to accept the loss. He acknowledges that Toby has won by a narrow margin. The crowd roars for the victor as Toby claims the trophy.

Finish Finish area
13

Celebration as Toby Tortoise is crowned the winner

The crowd rushes forward to congratulate Toby on a remarkable upset. Toby's steady pace and perseverance are celebrated, turning the race into a legendary underdog victory. Max's plans to humiliate his rival are undone by the most unexpected winner: a determined tortoise.

Post-race Finish area

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:12

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Tortoise and the Hare

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