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The Trumpet of the Swan

Play trailer Poster for The Trumpet of the Swan G 2001 1h 15m Kids & Family Fantasy Animation Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
13% Tomatometer 40 Reviews 39% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
In this animated feature, a swan named Louie (Dee Baker) breaks out of his egg to an enthusiastic reception from his proud parents. Soon, however, it is revealed that poor Louie cannot make a sound, alienating him from his siblings -- trumpeter swans who have lovely calls. Louie grows up mute and falls in love with Serena (Reese Witherspoon), but struggles to find a way to communicate his feelings for her. It is not until Louie masters the trumpet that his love finds free expression.
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The Trumpet of the Swan

The Trumpet of the Swan

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Critics Consensus

An uninspired E.B. White adaptation that's targeted at the very young.

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Critics Reviews

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Nell Minow Common Sense Media 12/29/2010
3/5
A good family movie; much to enjoy and talk about. Go to Full Review Ty Burr Entertainment Weekly 05/17/2001
D
Features charmless songs, junky animation, hambone voice talent. Go to Full Review Jay Carr Boston Globe 05/14/2001
2/4
Too bad the director didn't set his mind to making a film parents could enjoy, too. Go to Full Review MaryAnn Johanson Flick Filosopher 11/19/2008
It's a good thing beloved children's author E.B. White is dead, because this horrible adaptation of his work would have killed him. Go to Full Review Film Threat 12/06/2005
3.5/5
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 08/11/2005
2/5
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Audience Reviews

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Jarom J @JarJ2 01/19/2025 This was entertaining. The premise of giving a voice to one that has none. While some things weren’t that funny, I did find some other parts funny. I enjoyed it. See more 08/05/2022 The greatest 1.25 hours ever!!!!!!!!!! Starring the voice of Jason Alxander as the deaf trumpeter cygnet's papa swan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more 01/21/2022 This obscure animated movie from 2001 is sadly not an underrated gem. The voice acting's fine, there are a few okay songs and a squirrel gets the best lines but the animation has an inconsistent, outdated feel to it, the characters are all cliches, the story is generic and uninspired and whomever thought letting us know the silent protagonist's thoughts Garfield-style was a good idea is an idiot. I suppose little kids might like it and it's not really a trainwreck but The Trumpet of the Swan is still very bland and very, very boring. See more 12/09/2020 Could have been better, but meh it was okay I guess See more 08/24/2018 Good cast and nice animated story for the whole family to enjoy See more 08/11/2016 Based on E.B. White's novel, The Trumpet of the Swan didn't do its source justice. See more Read all reviews
The Trumpet of the Swan

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Cast & Crew

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Terry L. Noss

Director

Richard Rich

Director

Jason Alexander

Louie's Father

Mary Steenburgen

Louie's Mother

Reese Witherspoon

Serena

Seth Green

Boyd

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The Trumpet of the Swan

A scene from The Trumpet of the Swan, distributed by TriStar Pictures. A scene from The Trumpet of the Swan, distributed by TriStar Pictures. A scene from The Trumpet of the Swan, distributed by TriStar Pictures. A scene from The Trumpet of the Swan, distributed by TriStar Pictures. A scene from The Trumpet of the Swan, distributed by TriStar Pictures. A scene from The Trumpet of the Swan, distributed by TriStar Pictures. A scene from The Trumpet of the Swan, distributed by TriStar Pictures. A scene from The Trumpet of the Swan, distributed by TriStar Pictures. A scene from The Trumpet of the Swan, distributed by TriStar Pictures. The Trumpet of the Swan (2001) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In this animated feature, a swan named Louie (Dee Baker) breaks out of his egg to an enthusiastic reception from his proud parents. Soon, however, it is revealed that poor Louie cannot make a sound, alienating him from his siblings -- trumpeter swans who have lovely calls. Louie grows up mute and falls in love with Serena (Reese Witherspoon), but struggles to find a way to communicate his feelings for her. It is not until Louie masters the trumpet that his love finds free expression.
Director
Terry L. Noss, Richard Rich
Producer
Paul J. Newman, Lin Oliver
Screenwriter
Judy Rothman Rofé, E.B. White
Distributor
TriStar Pictures
Production Co
TriStar Pictures
Rating
G
Genre
Kids & Family, Fantasy, Animation
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 11, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 9, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$152.5K
Runtime
1h 15m
Sound Mix
Dolby Stereo, Dolby SR, Dolby A
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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