This movie is entirely indefensible

There was no rational need to depict any of the perilous situations to which the animals were subjected. Keep in mind - this was made before animatronics and "Babe." What we see on screen is ACTUALLY HAPPENING to the poor animals involved. The fact that this "Americanized" version exists at all is ONLY for one reason - GREED. The producers saw that the Japanese original had been a huge box-office success in Japan, and they wanted a piece of the action, without going to the trouble of making another movie, so they amped up the cuteness factor by adding the Dudley Moore narration, and cut out the more obviously abusive scenes, like the cat trying to climb up the cliff after being thrown into the sea.

"Any lie will find believers as long as you tell it with enough force."