7.1/10
Archivist John
Senior Editor

A definitive 7.1/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Draggin' the Dragon remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you got five minutes and like old stuff, you should definitely check this out. It’s perfect for people who like seeing how animation started. If you hate black and white silents, stay away lol.
Felix the Cat is just built different. He doesn’t really care about the laws of physics or anything like that. 🐾
I love how Otto Messmer makes him move. He has this weird, jerky walk that somehow feels smooth at the same time.
The dragon is honestly pretty cute. It doesn’t look like a threat, it looks like a big balloon with a face drawn on it.
There is this one bit where Felix uses his tail as a hook. It’s so casual. He just pulls it off and puts it back on like it’s a hat.
The background is super empty. It makes the whole thing feel like a dream or a fever.
I actually prefer this over some of the longer stuff from that era like The White Pearl because it doesn't try to be important. It just wants to be funny.
There’s a scene where Felix is hiding and his eyes are just these big white circles in the dark. It’s a bit spooky if you think about it too much.
The logic in these old cartoons is just different. Things happen just because they look cool to draw.
I did notice some dirt on the film. It made it feel real though, like I was watching something from a time capsule.
It’s way shorter than something like The Isle of Lost Ships, so you don't feel like you've wasted your afternoon if you didn't love it.
One thing that bugged me was the ending. It felt like it just stopped?
Like, the dragon gets beat and then... poof. Roll credits.
I guess they didn't have alot of time for epilogues in 1920.
Anyway, it's a fun little bite of history. If you’re bored, go find it on YouTube or wherever old cats live online. 🐉