BootDigest Such a frustrating disappointment

Rijndri Load of rubbish!!

BelSports This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

Scarlet The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

TheLittleSongbird Donald Duck has always been one of my favourites, which is reason enough to see The New Spirit. The message is interesting for the time, but feels dated I agree by today's standards. But other than that, there is very little to criticise. The animation is wonderful with lots of colour and detail, the war-like images are almost harrowing while the music is lush and catchy. The New Spirit has some fine moments like the ending and particularly the almost surreal part where the writing accessories come to life, and while things get more serious after a subtly humorous start it gets its point across without feeling too heavy-handed. Donald is strongly characterised, with his fever-pitch enthusiasm steadily wavering, and comes across as a very relevant spokesperson.All in all, well made and fascinating if with a dated message. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Shawn Watson I didn't quite get this cartoon as the tax system in this country is very, very different from that in America. It appears that if Donald Duck pays his taxes early then somehow it will give the American government a better chance at winning WWII.This Donald does with worrying eagerness. So much so he races across the country with the envelope in his hand instead of relying on the postal system (do you blame him?).Nothing much else of interest. It does say on a tax form though, that Donald has adopted his nephews Huey, Duey and Luey. This I never knew. It was also up from an Academy Award for Documentary Short Subject.

TheOtherFool I had a bit of a 'Disney propaganda' night today (with Der Fuehrer's Face, Education For Death, The New Spirit (or Spirit of '43) and Bugs Bunny Nips The Nips), and I'm afraid to say this was the worst one. All it had to say was: pay your taxes in time so we can spend it all on war-machinery to kill of the nazi's. Perhaps effective in it's time, but pretty lame in retrospect.The good part of the movie was the ending, with the sky turning into the stars and stripes, as Donald decides to pay his debt instead of wasting it all on idle goods.But if you want to see a really good WWII propaganda movie, I'd advise you go with Der Fuehrer's Face (also starring Donald Duck) instead. As for this one: 3/10.

Robert Reynolds This is a documentary short done by Disney for the Department of the Treasury to encourage people to pay their taxes early. This was nominated for a Academy Award for Documentary and though it is somewhat dated, it is a fascinating look back in time. Consider Donald's income level, for one thing. The amount he owes in taxes is another eye-opener. Even though this is about a serious subject, the standard Disney flourishes are very much in evidence throughout.This is on the Disney Treasures On The Front Lines, an extraordinary collection of work produced by the Disney studios to aid in the war effort. Some of this was commissioned by the government and some of the material was produced as entertainment, but with a war-related theme. An exceptional set, well worth getting. New Spirit is recommended, but On The Front Lines is most highly recommended.