“Here Comes Peter Cottontail,” the 1971 Rankin/Bass animated television special, has hopped its way into the hearts of generations, becoming a beloved Easter tradition. Narrated by the whimsical Seymour S. Sassafrass, this enchanting tale unfolds in April Valley, the bustling hub of Easter preparations, where colorful eggs, candy creations, and fluffy bonnets are brought to life by a community of Easter bunnies.
At the heart of April Valley is the esteemed Chief Easter Bunny, Colonel Wellington B. Bunny, who, nearing retirement, must choose his successor. Two eager candidates emerge: Peter Cottontail, a spirited young bunny brimming with confidence, and the disgruntled January Q. Irontail, a rabbit with a bitter grudge against children stemming from a rollerskating accident that replaced his cotton tail with an iron one.
Colonel Bunny, while acknowledging Peter’s boastfulness and occasional fibbing – comically indicated by his drooping left ear – sees potential in his spunk and ingenuity. However, Irontail, fueled by resentment and a desire to make children miserable, schemes to seize the coveted role.
Irontail cleverly manipulates the April Valley constitution, proposing a contest to determine the next Chief Easter Bunny: whoever delivers the most eggs on Easter morning will claim the title. Peter, blinded by overconfidence and egged on by Irontail’s taunts, accepts the challenge, unaware of the nefarious plot brewing against him.
Peter, certain of his victory, throws a celebratory party, neglecting the crucial need for rest before the big day. Meanwhile, Irontail, resorting to underhanded tactics, enlists the help of a corn-flavored bubblegum, magically sealing the lips of Ben, the rooster alarm clock. As a result, Peter sleeps soundly through Easter morning, oblivious to the unfolding events.
While Peter slumbers, Irontail manages to deliver a single egg, technically winning the contest by default, as Peter delivers none. Irontail assumes leadership of April Valley, plunging it into a gloomy era. He decrees that Easter eggs shall be mud-colored, candy sculptors will create tarantulas and octopuses instead of bunnies and chicks, and Easter bonnets are replaced by galoshes. April Valley mourns the loss of its cheerful Easter spirit under Irontail’s dismal rule.
Peter, realizing the consequences of his irresponsibility and bragging, leaves April Valley in shame. It is in this moment of despair that he encounters the eccentric Seymour S. Sassafrass in his garden of surprises. Sassafrass, a peddler of magic and colors, introduces Peter to his remarkable invention – the Yestermorrowber, a time machine piloted by Antoine, a caterpillar (who insists on his rank).
Desperate to rectify his mistake, Peter embarks on a journey through time with Antoine, aiming to return to Easter and deliver his eggs. However, Irontail, learning of their plan, dispatches his henchman, Montrezaur, to sabotage their efforts. The Yestermorrowber malfunctions, sending Peter and Antoine careening through various holidays.
Their first unintended stop is Mother’s Day, followed by a chaotic landing on the 4th of July. Peter, ever resourceful, improvises, painting his Easter eggs red, white, and blue, and rebranding himself as “Uncle Sam, the Independence Day Bunny,” cleverly distributing his eggs as “egg-shaped torpedoes.”
Further mishaps lead them to Halloween, where Peter, initially disheartened by the prospect of Halloween eggs, encounters Esmeralda, a friendly witch. Esmeralda and her fellow Halloween creatures enthusiastically embrace Peter’s Halloween eggs, proving that improvisation and a change of perspective can turn obstacles into opportunities.
Irontail, witnessing Peter’s unexpected success, intensifies his efforts to thwart him. He sends Montrezaur to steal and destroy the remaining eggs during Halloween. A daring mid-air rescue attempt ensues, but the Yestermorrowber suffers further damage, propelling Peter and Antoine to Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving proves to be another challenge, as everyone is too full from their feasts to even consider Easter eggs. Undeterred, Peter and Antoine find themselves on Christmas Eve, where Peter, dressed as Santa Bunny, tries to give away Christmas eggs, again facing rejection.
Dejected in a hat shop, Peter encounters Bonnie Bonnet, a discarded Easter bonnet, who laments being unwanted at Christmas. Peter, in a moment of compassion, trades his Christmas eggs for Bonnie, recognizing her value and finding a purpose for his seemingly unwanted goods. Irontail seizes this opportunity to steal the basket of eggs back, further complicating Peter’s mission.
Through a series of near misses and continued time jumps, Peter and Bonnie eventually arrive at Valentine’s Day. Peter, now partnering with Bonnie, attempts to distribute Valentine’s Day eggs, meeting Donna, a kind girl who shows him understanding and compassion.
However, Irontail strikes again, casting a spell to turn all the eggs green, seemingly rendering them unsellable. Just as Peter is about to lose hope, Bonnie realizes they have landed on St. Patrick’s Day. Inspired, Peter embraces his Irish persona, becoming “The Blarney Bunny,” and successfully gives away his green “shamrock eggs,” turning Irontail’s sabotage into his ultimate triumph.
Peter, having fulfilled his promise to deliver his eggs and learned valuable lessons about responsibility and humility, returns to April Valley on Easter morning. He is hailed as a hero and officially declared the Chief Easter Bunny, much to the dismay of Irontail.
“Here Comes Peter Cottontail 1971” concludes with Peter leading a joyous Easter celebration in April Valley, spreading happiness and colorful eggs to children everywhere. The special’s enduring appeal lies in its heartwarming story, memorable characters, and catchy tunes, particularly the iconic “Here Comes Peter Cottontail” song. This classic Easter special continues to charm audiences, reminding us of the importance of responsibility, perseverance, and the magic of the Easter spirit.
