Probably because it has the same exact story line as "Rudolph the red nosed Raindeer"
Rediculing and shunning an innocent child because he looks different until their special "traits" can be used for everyone else's advantages.
Main reason I don't care for this movie!!!
The farther we get from the original, the less the original film means. I grew up in the 70s and 80s, decades after this film was released. In those days, though, they used to re-release the classic Disney films, every so often. That is how I saw Dumbo, Jungle Book, Robin Hood, and other films that pre-dated me on the big screen.
And I agree with you that the message is largely the same as in 'Rudolph:' the freaks are just freaks until they display some remarkable ability, and I don't like that message. But there is also the underlying message of 'everybody has a special talent;' it's just that the normos don't have to display their talents, in order to be accepted. The freaks have to demonstrate their abilities, to pass muster with the normos.
It's not a perfect message, of course, but it's damned close to reality.
- Oh, SOMEbody asides me is gonna RUE this here particular day...