Br'er Fox and Br'er Bear (also spelled Brer Fox and Brer Bear, ) are fictional characters from African-American oral traditions popular in the Southern United States. These characters have been recorded by many different folklorists, but are most well-known from the folktales adapted and compiled by Joel Chandler Harris, featuring his character Uncle Remus.

Disney version

In the animated sequences of the 1946 Walt Disney-produced film Song of the South, like in the tales, Br'er Fox is the stories' antagonist, while Br'er Bear is his unintelligent accomplice. Br'er Fox was voiced by James Baskett, who also portrayed the live-action character Uncle Remus in the film, while Brer Bear was voiced by Nick Stewart. In contrast to the earlier illustrations of Frederick S. Church, A. B. Frost, and E. W. Kemble, the Disney animators depict the characters in a more slapstick, cartoony style. The Disney versions of the characters have made appearances in other works:

Other adaptations

The cult film Coonskin, directed by Ralph Bakshi, focuses on a trio of characters inspired by the original folktales. Br'er Rabbit, Br'er Bear and Br'er Fox (renamed "Preacher Fox" in the film) all appear, and the elements of the stories are moved to a then-contemporary urban setting. The Adventures of Brer Rabbit was a 2006 animated feature including the characters, aimed at families. In the Tristan Strong series, Br'er Fox was depicted as having a change of heart over time. However, he sacrifices his life to save Tristan and the MidFolk in the first book. In the second book, Br'er Bear is revealed to be the central antagonist, having been upset by the deaths of his friend and children and influenced by King Cotton.