Groundbreaking on several counts, not the least of which was an innovative use of animation and stereophonic sound, this ambitious Disney feature has lost nothing to time since its release in 1940. Classical music was interpreted by Disney animators, resulting in surreal fantasy and playful escapism. Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra provided the music for eight segments by the composers Tchaikovsky, Moussorgsky, Stravinsky, Beethoven, Ponchielli, Bach, Dukas, and Schubert. Not all the sequences were created equally, but a few are simply glorious, such as "Night on Bald Mountain," "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," and "The Nutcracker Suite." The animation ranges from subtly delicate to fiercely bold. The screen bursts with color and action as creatures transmute and convention is thrust aside. The painstaking detail and saturated hues are unique to this film, unmatched even by more advanced technology.
--Rochelle O'Gorman
1 Fantastic animation back then and forever
Fantasia is one of those movies I have grown to love more and more every time I watch it. It's so unlike anything else Disney did before or after, and it's even unique compared against other animated movies. I find fascinating the fact that the visuals follow the music, something very different from the typical approach, where the movie is put together and the music comes in as an element of the post-production stage.
Then, the visuals themselves depart in radically different directions. Some tag alongside the metaphors hinted at by the pieces (Beethoven's Pastoral, for example, is visually accompanied by mythological figures that perfectly embody the idea behind the composition), and then other segments are quite simply abstract, to say the least.
When you put the whole thing together, with the whole introductions preceeding every piece, the result is a work of art, that you cannot judge by the same standards we've grown used to when watching Nemo, Beauty and the Beast or other less contemporary animation standards, such as Snow White. Fantasia created a genre on which it stands almost by itself, untouched, except by some excerpts of movies from the Japanese genius Miyazaki.
2 Best animation of its day
-- And still a good one.
Many of the vignettes here are now classics. Mickey as the Sorcerer's Apprentice: that's become an icon by itself. Dance of the Hours, with hippo ballerinas? I just laughed myself silly watching that, no matter how many times I've seen it before. Night on Bald Mountain - I must have been about four the first time I saw that, and I still remember how it scared the goobers out of me. That one scene, near the end, when the demon in charge is completely lit from the front, that's that one that sticks with me. For its time, it was about the most creative thing on the screen. The 'Disney Look' is a bit dated now, but it's true to the time in which it was made.
I think today's kids might still like it, and it's a sneaky way to start them enjoying classical music. See it again with an adult's eyes, or see it again with a child's eyes. Just do yourself a favor and see it again.
//wirdweird
3 Not for young viewers
The Fantasia dvd is a beautiful collection of music and of some of Disney's cartoons spliced together. I have to say that although it is a Disney Collection-my kids really did not pay attention to it too much when I bought it last year, along with the Fantasia 2000 DVD -they are just starting to watch it now-they are 3 3/4 and 5 1/4 years old.
It is a beautiful collection, but may not be for younger viewers to watch-they dont understand the concept of it all and may not keep their attention for very long.
4 THE BEST CARTOON EVER PRODUCED
This is 1940. When craftmen did it by hand, not the computer. Though many segments are too boring for young children, it remains a stunning example that movies can be high art... As big as the Mona Lisa, or Edvard Munch, Picasso, the Pyramids...
I hail it simply the best cartoon ever produced and I doubt I shall see a HANDYWORK better than this.
5 A dream come true
I am a classical music lover and this is one of the best examples of portrayal of music I've ever seen. Aside from opera this film is a gem in the music industry. I fell in love with this when I first saw it in the theater. Schuberts Ave Maria sent chills up and down my spine as I sat enthralled by it's beauty and magnifence in this film. This movie is perfect for home theater and a noble way to show it off. To think of this film as anything short oif a masterpiece is to do it an injustice.
6 A beautiful film
A very beautiful film which has not lost its merit through the years. My children (2.5 and 5 years old) love it.
7 I Love This Film!
This has to be one of the best movies that Disney ever made. I love this movie so much. I saw it first in the sixth grade in my art class and I couldn't stop talking about it. This movie took an idea that I never even thought about before and made it into a great film. The idea of taking classical music which is quite pleasant to listen to on its own already anyway and adding beautiful images which are pleasing to the eye took my breath away. There is a Fantasia 2000 out as well. It came out a while ago. It is nowhere near this film at all but I reviewed that too. So in conclusion great movie that is a cool way to get your kids to hear some of the classics and enjoy it too. The only thing is many of my friends who saw this movie as kids complained about a strange coincidence. Many of them said this movie made them feel sick to their stomaches, nauseated them, or even made them throw up. I don't know about this one as I never saw it as a small child, but it was very strange that so many people reacted to this feature in this way.
8 Debating the edits in Beethoven's Sixth Symphony "Pastorale"
While I adore "Fantasia" as a profoundly glorious example of Animation As Art, I resent that the Walt Disney Company doesn't release its films in their original, unedited state. HOWEVER, being one of the few people around who has actually seen the character that's been carefully edited out the the Pastorale Symphony sequence, I have to say that while it's fascinating to see the original (considering the historical context of racial humor in the late 1930's), the sudden appearance of the highly-caricatured, big-lipped, pig-tailed, subservient Black centaurette not only demonstrates a HUGE lapse of taste on the part of the Disney artists, but her 3 brief appearances are so awkward and embarrassing that in my opinion, the sequence actually flows better without her in it. Trust me, the scenes are regretable. I'd suggest, in all fairness, that Disney should provide the UNedited segments along with the extra archival material, with a disclaimer, so that viewers can at least see them and decide for themselves.
9 collective genius
This has got to be one of Disney's best. My kids watch it in batches, and I am astounded at the experimentation and the layers of the experience. Music has, in part through this film, entered their souls. I am never bored by this film and neither are they. It is the ultimate edutainment and it is pioneering as well.
Get it!
10 It's....good and amazing but...good
Walt had a dream once: to have a marriage of music and images played at once, or in other words, to show you what you might be seeing in your mind if you were listening to the music. Theatres were outfitted with the 1940's equivalent of surround sound, which they called Fantasound. However, it was a costly affair, and some theatres didn't want to be outfitted with Fantasound. Critics were dumbfounded as they was no heros, heroines, monsters(well there is in a way) and typical Disney songs. Re-released quite a bit, it recently started to develop steam as the film is a good example of being ahead of it's time, but that doesn't mean the film is flawless either.
Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor: Starts off with just the silhouettes of the players and conductors until it shows a sky with many violins syncopated to the music. Sets the tone for what's coming. 9/10
Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite: Rather than follow the traditional story, Disney followed a different approach by animating the four seasons in the form of ballet. With mushrooms, birds and these weird little angels skating on ice, it's a classic case of Disney showcasing it's talent in animation...by hand, nonetheless. 10/10
Dukas's The Sorceror's Apprentice: A newly designed(at the time) Mickey Mouse snatches his masters hat and makes a broom do his chores. Only he falls asleep and the broom overflows the room. Mickey tries to break it but the broom multiplies until the master sets things right. Classic scene. 10/10
Stravinsky's Rite of Spring: As Stravinsky said "to show primitive life", Disney animated the life and death of the dinosaurs. One thing that I wouldn't have mind seeing is the meteor theory, but they use the heatwave theory. When the continents seperate though, it's awesome, it just feels long. 8/10
Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony: Beethoven's lively music set to mythical creatures. I'm sure someone's already mentioned the edit on here so I won't go through it but it's far from offensive. 9/10
Ponchielli's Dance of the Hours: Dancing hippos and crocodiles(or are they alligators?). Anyway, it's a nice fun scene. 8/10
Moussorgsky's A Night on Bald Mountain: if you've ever played Kingdom Hearts right to the end, chances are he seems familiar. This is where he came from. Parent groups wanted this scene out of the re-release but I'm glad it's still in. By the way, according to Kingdom Hearts, his name is Chernabog. 10/10
Schubert's Ave Maria: a beautiful song and odd but hopeful images. It's basically these things with lightbulb heads walking somewhere until the end when we start from inside a mountain till we get outside to a nice sunrise. This was done with Disney's Multi-plane camera, which allowed for one continuous shot. It's a nice scene and a great end to the film. 9/10
Now you notice each scene got 8 or higher. But I suggest you don't watch them all at once. The movie really feels its length or maybe I'm just tired but the movie felt longer than normal. But it's still something that has to be seen.
11 Sorry, I can't give this one the raves.....
...that most others do. As one who grew up watching Disney flicks at the theater every Saturday, this one is my all-time least favorite. The problem with "Fantasia" is that it's a film that adults love because they think they would have adored it as children. In fact, it's hard to keep kids occupied with this film, with its endless interruptions to have Mickey chat up the conductor. Boring for adults and unbearable for youth with short attention spans. I remember being bored to death watching it at six, and so were the other kids, because we had more fun having popcorn fights and running up and down the aisles than we did watching the movie. Try parking your eight year old in front of it and clock how long it takes him to get bored and walk away, and you'll see the real disappointment in this movie.
12 A Work of Art
Fantasia is a very unique creation, there has never been another movie quite like it, before or since, and I think it's safe to say there never will be. Disney took a risk with creating something so dfferent from the norm; most of the American public is not likely to sit and listen to classical music for two hours, or watch a movie with no words. However, it was a very worthwhile risk, as Fantasia is a beautiful work of art, and has become a classic.
There is a certain captivating magic when the incredible sounds of the world's best musicians combine with the dazzling sights of the world's best animators. The imagery is full of fantasy, rich color, and graceful beauty. It's impossible not to be dazzled as the music washes over you, and you watch the stories of each of these little worlds unfold.
13 Misleading box, but it's still a masterpiece.
First, go click on the picture of the box so you can see a larger image. See how it says "Walt Disney's Original Uncut Version" at the bottom? Well, it's not. No, one scene in Fantasia was edited for every single home release as far as I know. It's in the scene "The Pastoral Symphony". When the female centaurs are getting all prettied up and ready for the male centaurs, you'll notice a very fuzzy extreme close up on one of them. What's going on in this scene? There's a black skinned centaur named Sunflower helping that one out. Go do a search for "Disney Sunflower Snopes" and it should show up. Why does Disney do this? Kids watching that part aren't really going to have any racist thoughts regarding the scene, or become a KKK member or anything after watching it. But there you have it, this isn't really "uncut" because of that. And this only enforces that there's a high chance of Disney not releasing Song of the South anytime soon. And this is a shame that they're going so P.C. that we're never going to be allowed to see how everything was originally released. If they can put out the Treasure tin sets, which have a lot of Asian and Spanish stereotypes, why is there such a problem with Song of the South and a black centaur?
Other than that, Fantasia is a masterpiece. While it didn't really help Disney out much financially, the animation that accompanies the music is flawless. You really admire the artists that worked on each short. While it took hundreds to work on one piece at a time, now it'd only take a couple of guys on a computer with the latest animation software a few days. It's funny that most of this looks better than a lot of recent Disney films. The colors, smoothness of the animation, and how it blends with the music is just breath taking.
The picture is as good as you're going to get for a movie this old. There's very little grain and dust on the print, and you'll hardly notice it with all the beauty on-screen. The audio is crisp and clear, so go nuts turning it up.
The special features are ok. The commentary is made up of interviews and clips from Walt and others. When some people speak on it, there's a little bit of static, which doesn't matter since it's taken from an early source. It's not going to interfere with hearing anything they say, but I just thought I'd mention it. It's still a very interesting commentary track. I listen to it from time to time and always learn something new. The documentary is pretty cool too, though a lot of it I've already heard from other Disney specials and such. If you want the real goods as far as extras go, get the Fantasia Anthology edition. The third disc on that sucker is amazing.
So if you're really expecting the "uncut" version, you'll be disappointed. I doubt it'll ever be released unless somehow Leonard Maltin can get that put out too. I mean, if he can get the Donald Nazi short put out in the newest wave of Disney Treasures, he's gotta have SOME chance of giving us the original Fantasia. Pick this up before it's out of print for another 10 years. It's a film to pass down the generations.
14 classic
This is a classic marriage of two art forms Music and Animation. There are six sets of classical pieces By the Philadelphia Orchestra under the leadership of Leopold Stokowski. Each piece is accompanied by animation that either tells a story or illustrates visually the music. Each piece is a feast for the eyes and ears. The most famous piece is Mickey Mouse as the sorcere's apprentice. He gets ahold of his master's magical hat and decides to take a short cut indoing his chores with disastrerous results. The two pieces that really stand out for me is the "Nutcracker Suite" and "Night on Bald Mountain" This is a great movie for anyone who enjoys classical music. It may be too "High Brow" for children but it could be a good medium to introduce them to classical music.
15 not what i expected...
Despite how long Fantasia has been out I just watched it the other day and I was quite disapointed. I didnt know what to expect when I watched it but I kinda thought it would be more of a cartoon with a story line. I did not care for the orchistra in it, it got old after a while. I watched the VHS version and the video quality was not all that great. I dont really know how to put it but it was just a blah blah movie to me, the animation was great at some parts while at others it was just boring and it got very old after a while. well thats what I think about it, if you like classical music and no talking throughout the whole movie and a very strange plot, the you will prob like it a little better than I did.
16 Film restoration receives 5 stars but DVD features rate 4
I recently viewed the 60th anniversary edition of Walt Disney's "Fantasia", and I think that this is the closest we will ever come to seeing and hearing Disney's original vision for this film. This DVD Edition sets things right by incorporating all of Deems Taylor's spoken introduction and linking narratives into the film for the first time since the film's premiere in 1940.
If anyone has seen the 1990 restoration that appeared on video in 1991, they will know to what I'm referring. In that edition we only see Taylor's face in the opening prologue. Later on, we hear his comments as a voice-over to medium shots of the orchestra as they tune their instruments. Those players on the screen, by the way, are not members of the Philadelphia Orchestra: they are actually studio musicians. The music for Fantasia was pre-recorded months prior to shooting in the Academy of Music in Philadelphia.
The DVD presents what was then known as the "roadshow" version of Fantasia, which toured a limited number of cities upon it's initial release. The film's distributor, RKO Radio Pictures, balked at the added expense involved in setting up special amplifiers and speaker systems to accomodate the requirements for the Fantasound soundtrack. The decision was made to trim some of the film's length, beginning with altering the narrative links, but also making horrendous cuts in some release prints (indeed, some later prints do not even contain the Bach Toccata and Fugue sequence.) At one point, Disney decided to take matters into his own hands and handle the distribution of the "roadshow" version himself. That version differs from subsequent release prints in that Taylor's face is visible throughought every linking narrative; and that the blue title card appears at the start of the intermission that follows Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. In the 1990 restoration the title card appears at the start of the film. Also, the original release had no screen credits: special programs with those details were distributed to patrons. The DVD edition also doesn't have screen credits, but information about the animators is touched upon during the commentary by Rudy Behlmer, et al.
With regard to the soundtrack, the original optical, nine-track elements (which were mixed down to three tracks for the master print) have been missing for several decades. In 1955, the decision was made to transfer the extremely fragile and potentially unstable nitrate soundtracks to a four-track magnetic tape, because it was feared that the original tracks might not survive for much longer. This was done by playing the original tracks at RCA in Los Angeles and relaying the audio over telephone wires to the Disney Studios in Burbank. Unfortunately, during the transfer electronic hum and other noises ended up on the tape. Also, the telephone wires cut off at 8,000 Hz, so many viewers have never heard the full frequency and dynamic range that was capable utilizing the Fantasound system (which was a precursor of today's Dolby Surround-Sound.)
For the 1990 restoration, Terry Porter of YCM Labs had reportedly removed 2,000 clicks and pops from the four-track magnetic copy. Also, using technical data from the Disney Archives, he managed to replicate the mixing format of the original optical tracks; so that the sound would eminate from the left, right, front and rear speakers as originally planned.
I viewed my VHS copy of the 1990 restoration first, so that I could make my own comparisons. The 1990 edition suffers from too much use of noise-reduction software, which makes the violins and high wind instruments sound "glassy" and distorted. I also listened to my CD copy of the 1990 restored soundtrack album. The sound on the CD was a little cleaner and well defined, but the DVD has the most improved sound. One must remember that Fantasound was an experimental process. Optical tracks, in general, while offering an expanded dynamic and frequency range, were often quite noisy. All this means that what we hear is a 60-year-old recording that is by no means state-of-the-art by today's standards, but nevertheless remains impressive in its own right.
I don't remember seeing any negative racial depictions in the Beethoven Pastoral Symphony sequence, either in 1975 or in 1981 (which had a newly-recorded digital soundtrack). Then, again, Disney wouldn't have allowed anything like that in his films. The only questionable scene shows Bacchus entering with two nubile, African Zebra-type centaurettes. I can see how that might draw an unfavorable response from viewers. In fairness, however, they are not depicted doing anything of a derrogatory nature. They come in, toss some petals, and then they're gone... Some who reviewed the DVD edition claim that something was cut from the Beethoven sequence, but I can't imagine what that could be. Certainly the music itself has been truncated, but Stokowski did that only for dramatic reasons and to maintain story continuity. All of the music in Fantasia, except perhaps the Bach, was edited from the original scores in one way or another.
I said that the DVD itself rates only 4 stars. That is because the good folks at Disney are only offering the pencil tests, unused animation, and alternate music pieces as part of the 3-DVD "Legacy" set. The extras on the single DVD are good, but one wishes the archival materials had been included as a second disc.
17 Fantasia
No other Disney film can top this landmark movie. The animation is gorgeous and the music only adds to its sophistication and vibrance. FANTASIA is my favorite Disney movie. Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!
18 A Musical Mountain
This really is the best way to introduce kids to classical music. If your having a hard time educating your kids on the classics. I really think this will help. Kids seeing their favorite character in scenery with the classic arts. Really is a wonderful idea.
19 Disney's most inventive Film.
In order to like Fantasia, you must have to have a high appreciation of film. You also must be able to embrace art and music. This movie is very different. It sometimes lacks heart that most Disney movies have, but it is definately a must see film. The movie has about nine or ten different animation segments at about ten minutes each. They are all different, and they are all beautiful to watch. The Sorcerer's Apprentice, The Night on Bald Mountain, and The Nutcracker Suite are some of the more visual highlights. In between the film are introductions by the anonymous narrator. If you love Disney it is a definate must see. It is a feast for both the eyes and the ears.
20 Classical music is wasted here....
They say this is such a great movie, well I have seen it and I think it's a real piece of large garbage. The animation looks way too styled and splashes so much neon color into it that you get a headage just watching it, maybe this was what they had in mind when they invented fake CGI graphics, they saw this movie and decited to not work on it. Anyway, Mickey is not funny as the mouse trying to learn magic, he comes off more as a goofy looking barbie doll, thank goodness there was no dialoge in this film, it would have made it worse.
21 Walt Disney's Masterpiece:Fantasia
Fantasia(1940)really is Walt Disney's Masterpiece.It was the 3rd full-lengthed masterpiece.Swow White And The Seven Dwarfs(1938)and Pinocchio (1940) were the 2 1 hour masterpieces that came before it.The music,color and animation was great!I didn't say 'voices' because there was NOT any talking in it.The music was played by the Philladelphia Orchestra.I didn't see all the stories,I only saw the "Sorcerer's Apprentice" sequence.It was great.It featured Mickey Mouse."The Sorcerer's Apprentice" was the only short in the movie that had Mickey Mouse.I would reccomend this for any magic lover.The total running time is 120 minutes.The Sorcerer's Apprentice's music was originally wrtten by Paul Dukas.Conducted by Leopold (Luh-pold)Stowkowski.
22 an interesting film experiment
"Fantasia" is the classic 1940 film that features the iconic "Sorcerer's Apprentice" short. "Fantasia" is a different sort of film from anything else that Disney Studios has ever produced. It is a very experimental film, and one that must have been very daring to release at the time (as it would still be so today). Rather than hold to a normal sort of storytelling, "Fantasia" is more like going to see an orchestral concert. "Fantasia" is a marriage between music and image, and this time around it is the images that are on screen that only support the music. The music is the focus of this film.
On one hand, this is a fascinating film. The music is conducted by Leopold Stowoski and we are taken on a journey of music with the images serving only to complement what we are hearing. Narrated by Deems Taylor, we are told what is going to happen in each segment and what music we are going to hear. We begin with the animation just being shapes and colors reacting to the music, giving us the impression of what we might see if we closed our eyes while listening to the music. When we move into the next song, we are given more definite images and then the music starts to tell an actual story.
There are several excellent selections in this film. "The Nutcracker Suite", "The Sorcerer's Apprentice", and "The Night on Bald Mountain/Ave Maria" are standout selections in my mind and are the ones that have stuck with me several days later. Despite this being an animated film, this isn't a movie for young children. They are likely to be scared by "The Night on Bald Mountain" and perhaps even by "The Sorcerer's Apprentice", and they may not understand or appreciate this film as it does not truly tell a story (like "The Lion King" does). The bottom line is this is a good film, and an interesting movie experiment, but on the same token it is not a movie for everyone. It is a symphony with animation.
23 Not for ages under 4
Scary parts - dinos with huge teeth and a bloody battle -- with new and raw emotions, this was a bit too scary for my young child. I enjoyed the historical context and the narration, and my young child LOVES some of it
24 Fantasia is art that you hear and watch.
I've written past reviews of Disney movies, and I may have mentioned that Disney has a tendency to dumb things down, but after seeing this movie, I can safely say that that has only become true in recent years. There is more nudity in this film than there was in Peter Pan by close to 10 times. More, in fact, than in any non-anime movie I've seen thusfar. By today's standards, that might be indicative of a film one shouldn't put in the "Kid's" section of your video rental store, but then, they did things differently back when Walt was alive. First off, I don't think Walt was aiming "Fantasia" at kids. I think that aside from the Mickey Mouse sketch, most kids would find the movie to be largely boring. However, I think that even if a kid were to sit through this movie, they would be in no way scarred. Although this movie contains images of nudity, violence, death, demons, magic, love, and many other things normally reserved for adults, the aformentioned material is never the subject of the piece. It's used in the same way all the visual material in Fantasia is used, to help convey the mood of the music. I think this gives me a beautiful insight into the mind of Walt Disney. He saw nothing wrong with approaching such concepts, even for kids, but he knew how to approach them tastefully.
And really, that's why I gave this grade the perfect score. Fantasia is quite tasteful. You may wish to deny this. I urge you to try. But Fantasia will beat you at every turn. No one can deny the tastefulness of such segments as "The Nutcracker Suite" despite the rampant nude fairies, because it gives us a look into a world of wonder. Same with the mythical setting Walt gave to Beethoven's sixth, and possibly the most contraversial of the segments; "Night on Bald Mountain" cannot be denied to be tasteful when looked at as what it is; a depiction of evil spirits, and how they are driven back. Eventually, I totally forgot to worry about the naked centaurettes and the flaming skulls and focused on how it made me feel, and I think that's what this movie was meant to do. If it can do it for me, you can find something of yourself in this movie as well. I think that's more than enough to earn it the grade I gave it.
If you're still worried about the damage it might do to your kid's psyche, watch it first, then if you find it tasteful (you will) show it to your kid. That's the wonderful thing about young children. If they focus on the images of some of the segments, they may see it just as Walt saw it. Worlds of mystery and wonder, waiting to be discovered.
This film is not perfect, but only because it's so old. Again, large parts of it hinge on personal taste, but it won't kill you to watch it at least once. And maybe, just maybe, while in the presence of Dinosaurs, Zeus, Mickey Mouse and Chernabog, you'll learn a little something about yourself. I know I did.
25 Disney's Best Boxed Set
I never watched "Fantasia" as a child. It really is more of an adult film. But I now love both movies. I saw "Fantasia 2000" at the Imax, and it is just spectacular. Walt's original dream for "Fantasia" was to keep releasing it with new segments replacing older ones. "Fantasia 2000" was an attempt to continue that dream, and it worked. The picture and sound on both films is perfect. I would buy this boxed set instead of the single releases of the two films, because the special features on each film are very lacking, but this boxed set includes the extra "Fantasia Legacy" disc, which includes deleted scenes and deleted concept art. If you are a "Fantasia" fan, I highley recomend getting "Make Mine Music," a lesser known Disney movie which includes a deleted scene from "Fantasia" set to different music.
26 Get Into Classical Music With Disney's Fantasia Films
In 1940, Walt Disney released his most ambitious art-house project: Fantasia. With World War II barely beginning to rage in Europe, Disney sought to entertain as well as educate audiences. Never before had audiences seen such a miracle. Fantasia combined aesthetic animation with classical music. Disneu had already released "Snow White" in the 30's to people who had never seen animation on the big screen before. Generations would be enchanted by Fantasia for decades. It spawned a second installment in 2000. This DVD gives us both the 1940 Fantasia, restored with greater sound and color and Fantasia 2000. The first Fantasia features behind-the-scenes look on its making. We see how a brainy Disney gathered the best and most talented animators to create fantastical imagery. He was fortunate enough to employ the great conductor Leopold Stokowski, who arranged Bach's "Toccata And Fugue In D Minor" from organ work to full orchestra. Stokowski was one of the greats, right along such legends as Toscanini and Karajan. Look also for Mickey Mouse attempting to imitate Stokowski's conducting. The bonus features for Fantasia 2000 gives us never-before-seen segments that never made it to the final version. They include animated sequences set to Debussy's "Claire De Lune" and Richard Wagner's "Ride Of The Valkyries". They should have at least shown us Ride Of The Valkyries in the final version!!!This DVD is a must have for hardcore fans of Disney and of Fantasia. It is the perfect introduction to classical music. It's how I got hooked into classical music in the first place. I watched Fantasia of 1940 when I was seven and the memories of the music and the imagery remained a lifetime.
1940's Fantasia begins with Bach's Toccata And Fugue. Originally an organ work, it's orchestral arrangement is far more dramatic to listen to, with its dark D minor chords. It's the famous theme most people associate with Dracula. The sequence is nothing more than a chaotic swirl of indistinct figures and abstractions like an early 20th century abstract painting floating in the air. The second feature is Tchaikovsky's Waltz Of The Flowers from his ballet The Nutcracker. It's breathtakingly beautiful to behold -the nocturnal fairies playing with flowers in an orgy of color. Impressive is how the waltz closes with the ice-skating fairies and falling snowflakes. The French composer Dukas' "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" tells the story of a mischievous apprentice who gets himself into trouble when he casts a spell that goes wrong. Mickey Mouse plays the apprentice. Fondly remembered are the living brooms that Mickey had hoped would obediently do his chores for him. Perhaps the most controversial sequence is Stravinski's "Rite Of Spring" sequence, taken from the jazz ballet which at its premiere caused a riot. Stravinski's harsh, dramatic and violent-sounding music was not well-received at first but is now thought to be extremely innovative. Disney perhaps meant to shock and to tread new frontier with animating a sequence depicting the Evolution Theory. The primitive earth, nothing more than lava and pangea terrain, becomes the fertile breeding ground of the dinosaurs. Violent raptors and vicious tyrannasaurus rex rule supreme. We also get the theory of how they were wiped out possibly though changes in climate.
The most famous moment is the Dance Of The Hours. Who does'nt remember the fat hippo ladies in ballet tutus being chased by the lusty red-cloaked alligators ? The Pastoral Symphony by Beethoven is beautifully presented against a backdrop of mythological and bucolic Greece. It's gorgeous to look at the variety of creatures, both earth-bound and heavenly- Pegasus and his family of winged horses, the seductive nymphs, centaurs and centaurettes, satyrs, Bacchus the drunken wine-god and his entourage as well as the imperious Zeus who hurls thunderbolt from the clouds during the storm portion. The closing scene is the moon goddess Diana with her hunting bow as she shoots the night skies with stars. The scariest moment is of course Night On Bald Mountain. The towering Devil and his ghouls and goblins dance during the night and are driven away at the first light of dawn. I remember being horrified by the Devil in that sequence. But at least it got me into Mussorgky's Night On Bald Mountain. The music is incredible.
Fantasia 2000 begins with Beethoven's first movement from his 5th Symphony. The famous music is not hard to forget, the four powerful notes Pa-pa-ra-ra! is supposed to represent Fate knocking at someone's door according to Beethoven. This sequence, like the 1940 Fantasia opening sequence, is abstract triangles and circles imitating butterflies and bats in a shapeless background. Respighi's Pines Of Rome follows the life of whales swimming at night, Rhapsody In Blue portrays New York City in a very jazzy and comic style, the Carnival Of The Animals is hilarious and the concluding Firebird Suite is by far the most beautiful depiction of nature as holy as anything.
27 A definite classic!
This is the movie that started it all, it's Walt Disney's animated crowning achievement. It's a collection of stories composed with the classic music of Beethoven to Shubert all with the help of Leon Kopolsky.
A stunning and beautiful animated movie that is the first of it's kind to be like a concert feature using beautiful animation, well designed characters, some hot centaurettes for the guys, Mickey Mouse made famous on his "Sorcerer's Apprentience" short and it's a visual movie for the senses.
Highly recommended!
28 A classic
Fantasia is a movie I can watch over and over again.
i will make my kids watch this till they know it of by heart.
I know that i do.
The music is very beautiful. The pictures are also beautiful.
This is a classic movie for every person of the family.
29 Fantasia's Greatest
This is the greatest release of Walt Disney's masterpiece, Fantasia. This three disc set covers it all, over 15 hours of material!! Well, we have a lot to cover here:
The disc set begins with the Fantasia Anthology program. which includes a letter from Roy Disney, which then includes all the highlighted features of the set. On the back there is also a supplemenatry material menu.
The first disc is the Special 60th Anniversary Edition of Walt Disney's Fantasia. This one is the 125 minute Walt Disney's uncut version. It features all the cut Deem's Taylor material, with a complete new voice so it sounds better. It also includes the original intermission. The segments of music, for those who don't know, are Toccata and Fuege in D Minor by Bach, The Nutcracker Suite by Tchicovasky, The Socerer's Apprentice by Dukas, The Rite of Spring by Stravinsky, The Pastoral Symphony by Beethoven, The Dance of the Hours by Poncelli, Night on Bald Mountain by Muggorsky, and Ave Maria by Schubert.
However, that's not all. This disc itself includes a lot of features. The first feature is the Making of Fantasia Featurette, which gives an overview of each sequence, info about how fantasia came about and more all in one 50 minute documentary. Second are the two feature audio commentaries. The first one is by Roy Disney, Conductor James Levine, historian John Canemaker, and restoration expert Scott Macqueen. This spans the entire film. The second one is Spanning Three Decades-Rare Archival Interviews with Walt Disney. It has commentary by John Canemaker and Walt Disney audio interviews. This is another one that spans the entire feature.
The second disc is Fantasia 2000. This is the long awaited sequel to Fantasia, and features these shorts: Symphony Number 5 by Beethoven, Pines of Rome by Resphigi, Rhapsody in Blue by Gershwin, Piano Concerto Number 2 by Shastokovich, Carnival of the Animals Finale by Saint-Seans, The Sorcerer's Apprentice by Dukas, Pomp and Circumstance by Elgar, and Firebird Suite by Stravinsky. In between, there are celebrity host intros.
Now, there are even more features on this one disc. First, is the intro by Roy Disney when you put the disc in. Then there is the Making of Fantasia 2000, part two of the Fantasia one, with interviews with the artists, technicians, and directors. There are two Audio Commentaries. The first one is a commentary by Executive Producer Roy Disney, Conducter James Levine, and Producer Don Ernst. Then there is an audio commentary by Segment and Art directors, along with a certain mouse and duck in their sequences. Other features include the Animated Short Melody, Academy Award Winning Short Toot Whistle, Plunk and Boom, and a showcase program showing highlights from the feature.
Disc three is the Fantasia Legacy, featuring in depth exploration of the segments for both Fantasias, featuring intros, making ofs, virtual developement galleries, Walt Disney TV Show segments, Abandoned animation and musical sequences, trailers, and other great features.
The final one is the Fantasia 2000 Commemorative Book, which features historical and plot detail, then activities. Five Stars disney!!
30 5 stars for the film, 1 star for the edited DVD
Originally conceived as an elaborate Mickey Mouse short (only to blossom into a 2-hour feature film), Fantasia is one of the most ambitious movies ever, animated or otherwise, with its perfect marriage of classical music and animation (something that began with Disney's Silly Symphonies in 1929 and would continue to appear in Disney and Warner Bros. cartoons well after Fantasia's release in 1940). However, the film was a commercial and critical failure for the Disney studio, not picking up steam until the '60s, when it was a popular choice for college students (via 16mm prints) as a "head" film.
However, the film hasn't been treated well at all despite being popular for the past 30-40 years. Firstly, the film's dynamic "Fantasound" soundtrack (which was an optical surround-sound soundtrack printed on a separate 35mm reel from the actual video portion of the film) quickly deteriorated, and was eventually transferred to a vastly inferior magnetic tape (which has become garbled as that too has begun to decay). Additionally, Fantasia was re-edited after the initial roadshow version had run its course in an effort to increase the film's popularity with filmgoers in 1940. And finally, the Pastorale Sequence was sloppily edited in the late '60s in order to remove the black centaurettes who serve their white companions.
With this in mind, there was much hope in 2000 for a fully restored Fantasia for the film's 60th Anniversary (and the release of the sequel, the excellent Fantasia 2000). Hyped as being fully restored and uncut, it seemed as if Fantasia would finally be seen as it was supposed to be once again.
However, the Pastorale sequence remained edited, and the Deems Taylor segments were redubbed by veteran voice actor Corey Burton. While the latter change is understandable (since the audio for the expanded segments has come up missing), the former is quite disturbing, particularly since Fantasia is best viewed in an academic environment-which is also the perfect place to discuss the (thankfully outdated) social stereotypes involved in the Pastorale sequence. Given this editing, it's impossible to ecommend this DVD. However, given that Fantasia is such a vital part of Walt Disney's legacy (and also about to return to the studio vaults until as late as 2010), it's hard to imagine that anyone could hold off from buying this altered version of Fantasia before it gets discontinued.
31 Fun fro all ages
I noticed that a lot of the reviews for Fantasia say it's for adults or older children. I disagree. I think it depends on the child. We have this VHS tape and my 3 1/2 year old has almost worn it out from playing it so much. He adores about 90% of the film (although the dinosaur part and the Dance of the Hours are his favorites) and does not seem particularly scared or bothered by "Night on Bald Mountain" which he will watch by himself. He also loved to listen to the audiotape in the car. At this point if any of the Fantasia or Fantasia 2000 music comes on the classical radio station we listen to he can recognize it and tell you which film and what part it's from. I think that some small children will really like this movie and you need to give them a shot by exposing them to it rather than assuming they will be bored.
32 Get Swept Away Into A Fantasy World
Fantasia is truly worth owning on DVD, a crown jewel among a treasured collection. The first time I watched Fantasia was when I was a kid. I was sick with some virus and my dad borrowed from the library and borught it home for me to watch in bed. Even then, alothough the music did not mean much to me at the time, the wonderful illustrations were stuck in my mind for days afterwards. Today, I own the DVD and it is the precious jewel that ties my personal collection together. I can not imagine not having it now, I have grown extremely fond of it. The Greek mythological scenes with the centuars and the gods and goddesses are absolutely breathtaking designed and are drawn with such graceful skill. Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony ties in with the illustrations perfectly, it makes me think of a gentle and more romantic time. The Night on Bald Mountain is frightening, though, and morbid. For the Nutcracker Suite, the illustrations include dew fairies, dancing mushrooms, graceful fish, and frost and snowflake fairies. this images tranport the viewer from their world and draws them into a new world, perhaps a better one. Also, do not miss The Dances of the Hours, with dancing elephants and hippos in tutus, along with an odd couple dancing ballet together. Even, just close your eyes and drift away on the music. I would recommend this DVD for adults, though, and not for children. Adults would seem to appericate the music and the illustrations more. Watch this DVD, you won't be sorry that you did.
33 Devestating disappointment
As a lifelong musician and artist, Fantasia has been one of my all time favorite movies since I first saw it in theaters as a child. My wife, knowing my great love for this movie, bought the DVD version for me as a birthday gift. When I put the DVD on, however, my excited anticipation quickly turned to depressed disappointment.
I immediately realized that the voice of the narrator, Deems Taylor, whose wonderful and soothing voice spans the entirety of the movie, had been overdubbed with someone else's voice! Deems Taylor was a widely known and respected music critic in his time. He had a beautiful, deep sonorous and expressive voice. The sound of his voice was an essential part of the aural and musical magic of this film. Yet, the new owner's of Disney saw fit to overdub his voice with that of some squawky and squeaky sounding unknown, thereby ruining the entire film.
I did some research to find out why, in the name of "preservation", Disney studios would destroy this film in the way that they have. The reason, supposedly, was because they found old footage (which was NOT in the version we all knew and loved as kids) which they wanted to insert - but the audio on that obscure footage had been damaged. They felt they had to redub those voice overs. Fine. But then, in the process, they re-dubbed the entire film, even the parts that had not been damaged!
I understand, for historical interest, that some people might be interested in seeing the extra, obscure footage which had been edited out long ago , but that extra footage easily could have been put on a special features disc, not in the actual movie that millions of fans have come to know and love. This was a horrible decision by a studio which increasingly seems to have lost all sense of artistic taste and common sense. What a sad, sad disappointment.
Soon, I'll be buying a DVD recorder and I hope to preserve the original VHS version I have in that way.
34 "Hear the pictures! See the music!"
In order for progress to be made, experimentation is a must. In cinema, there are times when experimentation helps to redefine how films are made by introducing new techniques that are embraced by future filmmakers. Then there are times when experimentation produces problematic results as in the case of Walt Disney's "Fantasia."
"Fantasia" was a noble attempt to advance the animation medium and turn it into something more sophisticated. Disney sought to redefine the rules of the game by using animation to represent the essence of music. That is, animation was employed to help give tangible form to the myriad emotions that different types of musical compositions stirred within its listeners. This was not an attempt to tell a story in order to display the extent of creative ability but an attempt to capture the essence of creative ability itself. For example, Mickey Mouse's exploits in "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" mirrors the mischievous rhythms of Paul Dukas's piece while the emergence of the winged demon in "Night on Bald Mountain" echoes the bold power of Modest Mussorgsky's music.
What is the end result of this effort? A definite mixed bag. "Fantasia" gets points for taking chances and trying something new but loses points for its inability to captivate the viewer. What is seen on screen is a work that can be admired but which comes across as distant. Since "Fantasia" is meant to be something to be experienced, the viewer is not invited to follow along with the proceedings as a participant like he or she would in a film with a conventional narrative. Rather, "Fantasia" is meant to be absorbed and having to digest two hours of sensation can become tedious. The film failed to find an audience upon its initial release but the fact that it is kept alive in conversation today is proof that there is merit to it. Yet, the legacy of "Fantasia" is a qualified one. It is a different viewing experience but not a totally satisfying one.
35 Beautiful, Classic Feature Animation of Music and Dance
Fantasia has always been my favorite Walt Disney film, and I was delighted when I found it on DVD. The DVD release features the original 125 minute form with narrators' introductions between the acts, in a full screen 1.33:1 aspect ratio which is the same as the original film.
The style of this film is quite varied, ranging from the traditional Disney animation used in the "Sorceror's Apprentice" to the almost impressionistic artwork used with the Nutcracker suite and the abstract art used with Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor. There is beautiful artistry throughout, and Disney clearly took pains to make the visual work appropriate for each selection of music. In order, the selections are:
- Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by J. S. Bach: a symphonic form of this classic work is accompanied with animated abstract artwork.
- The Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikovsky: to this ballet suite, leaves, flowers, and even mushrooms dance, illustrated with ethereal artistry. Those familiar with the ballet will see that the character of each dance in the suite is captured beautifully.
- The Sorceror's Apprentice by Paul Dukas: this piece of program music is accompanied by an animated version of the story illustrated by the music - with Mickey Mouse as the protagonist who animates ensorcelled brooms, but then is unable to control them.
- The Rite Of Spring by Stravinsky: in a mild departure from the traditional ballet interpretation, the animation uses the music to accompany a trip through prehistoric earth, from the formation of the planet, through the volcanic period, to the development of the dinosaurs. While the technique is traditional Disney animation, the style is much more realistic - an interesting mix.
- Symphony No. 6, Pastorale, by Beethoven: a movement of this symphony is accompanied by an animated interpretation of fantastic creatures - unicorns, centaurs, and pegasi - along with half a dozen greek gods in their traditional role. The action reflects the program of the music, including the storm.
- Dance of the Hours, Amilcare Ponchielli: This ballet music is used by some very nontraditional ballerinas - ostriches, hippos, elephants, and crocodiles. They still dance elegantly, with rather humorous effect.
- Night On Bald Mountain, Moussorgsky / Ave Maria, Schubert: Traditionally, the devil and his worshipers gather on Bald Mountain on Walpurgisnacht - and here, we get an impressive demon and a raft of profane followers. As the night ends, the Moussorgsky piece segues into the sacred music of the Ave Maria, with a holy procession ending in a beautiful dawn.
Perhaps the best summary of this movie is that it's like an animated evening of dance or ballet - some dances abstract, some with story lines - with the added freedom that the use of animation brings. This timeless classic will appeal to lovers of animation, music, and dance alike.
36 A Great Classic Disney Movie Finally On DVD
I bought my DVD of this a few months ago. I had always been a Fan of Fantasia. This movie is an Animated Musical. And I highly suggest this movie to any one who likes classic Disney Anime. TItles. I really love this DVD.
Here is a brief Description:
This movie has lots of songs in it and each one is told by a Animated Story. The most famous story on here is the Sorcer's Aprrentice with the one and Only Mickey Mouse.
THis is a 5 Star DVD.
37 Fantasia will Amazia !
The two-fold achievement of the 1940 film Fantasia -- breaking new ground in the art of film-making while evoking the essence of another art form (music) -- was profound and unparalleled. This groundbreaking Disney feature comprises of eight individual animation sequences, each with an abstract or concrete theme and accompanied with a well-known piece of music -- with the music often seemingly having little in common with the animation. The Nutcracker Suite, for instance, is paired with images of the passing of the four seasons, and Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony is used for depicting mythological creatures. The result may upset music purists, but it shows vividly and effectively how pictures and music can enhance one another -- how pictures can offer interpretation (or re-interpretation) of a piece of music, and how existing music can be used to enhance a film with a totally different context (such as in 2001: A Space Odyssey, Brief Encounter, and the many films that make use of Wagner's Rides of the Valkries).
Fantasia 2000, the "sequel" made in 1999, only manages one animation segment that is close to achieving the lofty goal set by the original film. In the "Rhapsody in Blue" segment, the Al Hirshfield-style animation is a perfect fit for the jazzy Gershwin's tune, with one capturing the spirit of the other almost note for note, frame by frame. The rest of the segments are pretty unexceptional, with the exquisitely drawn "Firebird Suite" segment perhaps the best, and the nonsensical interpretation of Beethoven's 5th Symphony perhaps the worst.
The 3-disc DVD collection THE FANTASIA ANTHOLOGY includes Fantasia and Fantasia 2000, as well as an enormous amount of extra material that reveals the history, craftsmanship, and artistic achievements of the two films (and also of Disney animation itself).
The first disc, the Fantasia DVD, contains what Disney claims to be the uncut, original theatrical version of the 125-minute film, but it isn't exactly so. Although the introductions that begin each segment have been restored in full on this disc (5 minutes of Deems Taylor's introductions have been restored since the 1990 re-release version), their soundtracks couldn't be fully recovered. So Taylor's voice has been re-dubbed entirely with someone else's. Also, some footage was cut from the Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony segment in the 1960s due to its stereotypical depiction of African Americans. It remains cut on this disc. Hence, this is "almost" the uncut, original 1940 version. The disc contains both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.0 audio. The restored Taylor introductions describe each segment more fully, both in terms of the underlying story of the animation and the significance of the music. Extras on the Fantasia disc include a 30-minute featurette "The Making of Fantasia" that recounts production history and provides technical and artistic insights on all 8 animation segments, and an audio track of Walt Disney's comments on the film, either straight from his mouth from old recordings, or read by others.
On the Fantasia 2000 disc, all the music is extraordinarily recorded with Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 sound. The 74-minute movie was originally shown in IMAX theaters, so the picture quality (depending on the monitor you see it on) is startling clear and sharp. The disc also includes 2 cartoon shorts from the 50s that teach kids the basic principals of music.
It is the third disc, titled "The Fantasia Legacy", that should please animation fans. Its main attraction is the hundreds of still-frame concept arts, storyboards, cel drawings for all 15 segments in the 2 movies. All the images were scanned at a very high quality, and many of them almost full screen. The images are well-organized into sections: "Visual Development", "Character Designs", "Abandoned Concepts", etc. None of the images is captioned, but their artistry and purpose pretty much speak for themselves. Other noteworthy material on the disc include: a film clip demonstrating that music from one segment could easily be made to fit another segment (hence, the subjectiveness of music), a tongue-in-cheek segment showing artists studying a ballerina's movements while sketching elephants and hippos on their drawing pads, a still-frame comparison of Al Hirschfeld's original cartoons and the animation used in the "Rhapsody in Blue" segment, a fully-animated but never used segment from Fantasia titled "Clare de Lune", a chronology of theatrical showings of Fantasia from 1940 to 2000 that also notes how the film was altered for each release. The original "Roadshow Program" for Fantasia is also reproduced in the still-frame section, but unfortunately the words are too tiny to be legible. Also present are the usual supplements such as trailers, TV commercials, posters, filmmakers' bios.
38 A beautiful Disney classic!
I totally love this Disney classic. Disney did a great job on this one. It had different scenes about animals, music, and people. Each of these scenes have great performances with dancing, colors, music, designs, and a lot of magical action. I would recommend this movie to anybody. It is a very well done movie. My favorite scene is with Mickey Mouse the wizard.
39 A brilliant film!!!
One of the premier movies of the 20th century, I believe, and one of the first to put classical music and animation together. Leopold Stokowski and Disney collaboration has lasted over the years as a testament to what can be creatively accomplished with men of integrity and vision.
From the opening scenes, as we learn about the different aspects of music, and as the panorama opens up with the brilliant hues of the colors of the rainbow in all its splendor, you know you have arrived at a place of wonder.
There are so many wonderful moments in this film - Rite of Spring, as the animators show what they believe to be the beginning of time (just the animators' vision), then on to the Pastoral Scenes, with the music of Beethoven, and then on into the latter parts of the movie with Night on Bald Mountain by Mussorgsky - another brilliant take on what might be viewed as when darkness descends and the demons come out of hiding. (This might be a little intense for the youngsters.) Following this, in a wonderful way, is "Ave Maria," as we see the dawn approaching and lines of nuns with candles paying tribute to the Creator.
You want to talk about the chills and the laughter and the thinking processes which engage the mind? This is the grand-daddy of all animation. A marvelous addition to any video library!!
40 Only because it's an "anthology"...
...do I rate it at four stars. Given that the original "Fantasia" doesn't tell a single story, as most Disney films do, but instead interprets eight distinct pieces of classical music, it's inevitable that each viewer will prefer some to others. (Personally I fast-forward through "The Dance of the Hours" and am not particularly entranced by "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," but I love the "Pastoral Symphony," "Rite of Spring," and "Night on Bald Mountain"--what a gorgeous mountain devil!) Deems Taylor, who was a noted music critic of the time, provides a clear and excellent narration, and of course the score is beautiful. Interestingly, when rereleased theatrically during the hippie era, the movie was promptly hailed as a "psychedelic experience" by the counterculture, but viewing it today it doesn't seem so at all. It may have scary moments for the youngest kids, but would serve as a good introduction to "highbrow" music if they're unfamiliar with it.
41 Inspiring
One of the few good things about "Fantasia 2000" is that after I saw it, it compelled me to dig out the original Fantasia and watch it again. I fell in love with it all over again. When I first saw it in 1990 at its theatrical re-release, I was only 8 years old. Ten years later, in 2000, I had taken up the violin and I was about to graduate from high school. Watching this film with a new appreciation for classical music that I didn't have in 1990, this film inspired me to stick with the violin and pursue a music major. Another thing that changed when I watched it again in 2000, was my view on the final segment, Night on Bald Mountain and Ave Maria. Today it is my favorite segment of Fantasia. Fantasia's presentation of "Ave Maria" is one of the most spiritually uplifting endings in the history of cinema. The music in this segment is just gorgeous. It showed me that music can have an impact and that it is just as important as any other form of entertainment.
Of coarse, it wouldn't be fair not to list some of the other highlights of this film. Highlights include J.S. Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in D minor" which shows off the orchestra and then dissolves into an abstract dream with flashes of light and flying bows and quaking landscapes, Beethoven's "Pastoral symphony" which is a pretty accurate perception of Greek Mythology, except for the centaurettes. Those are purely Disney's idea. Then we have "The Dance of the Hours" Fantasia's funniest and second-most famous (next to the `Sorcerer's Apprentice') this segment features dancing hippos, elephants, ostriches and alligators throughout the coarse of a day from morning to the afternoon, then into the evening and night. This is shown through some very beautiful animation. Sense I was only 8 when I saw this the first time, I was mainly focusing on the cartoon part of it, and the quality of animation made me think it was a new release, and not a 50 year old classic.
Forget Fantasia 2000. This movie is the real deal.
42 Fantasia
Let me start my saying that I only gave this DVD 4 Stars because of "The Sorcerer's Apprentice". It is the only entertaining part of this movie. There is some great music in it, but the animation is weird. The Sorcerer's Apprentice is great. They should put it on a single DVD by itself for me to buy. Good-bye.
43 One of The Greats
*Fantasia (G)- Fantasia is quite simply one of the greatest films ever made. In fact, it is a milestone in Art and Pop culture. I believe it stands just as high as Citizen Kane in important American films. How a US film, albeit a "cartoon", was able to get away with nudity and cultist revelry at the height of Hays' Code hysteria stands as an achievement that few even comprehend. Few people love all 2 hours of Fantasia, but there are also few who don't like a single piece. And that is a testament to art in and of itself. Fantasia is a walk through an art gallery and a symphony hall. Some of it may draw you to tears, some of it may baffle you and some may enrage you but at least it made you feel and think something.
44 Not So High Fidelity
Having lived for years with the very distorted audio of the VHS version of FANTASIA, I tried the 2000 release of the 60th Anniversary Special Edition of FANTASIA (1940), with its "completely restored" label.
The original FANTASIA was allegedly recorded with "perfect" fidelity using an 8 channel optical process developed for FANTASIA called "Fantasound". At some point, the original sound track was apparently transferred over telephone lines. In 1955 a magnetic recording was made to save the deteriorating optical copy. The results were bad, and a new sound track was made in the 1980's, but it lacked the synergism of the Stokowski orignal, so they reverted to a best effort cleanup of the magnetic copy of the original. In 2000 a "complete" restoration was made of what sounds like the magnetic copy.
Even though the 2000 "restoration" of the original score is better than the earlier VHS version, it is still distorted enough in places, that it is hard to stick with it. There is a lot of what I would call "modulation" of volume between different passages and much outright distortion at higher volumes. The voices are clearer, but still fuzzy in places.
Probably no one really knows what FANTASIA sounded like at its Premier in 1940, but this wouldn't hack it today.
The visual images have held up better. Good color, artistic originality that hasn't grown too old, and incredibly detailed animation.
I won't say anything about Disney's self censorship of rereleases of its own products, except that it's obvious where this movie was altered since something like a digital zoom was used.
This is probably the best soundtrack we will see for FANTASIA (1940) because it doesn't appear to be winning any viewing contests.
This movie may be listed for Kids. It probably should be "Family", and a moderately liberal family at that. There are devils, witches, breasts and skeletons, naked human images and implications about evolution to go along with the dancing hippos and abstract musical images.
Bottom line: buy this one if you have to choose from what's available today.
45 The ultimate Disney masterpiece
It has been said that all good artists never see the fruits of their most brilliant work until they die. "Fantasia" is no exception for Walt Disney, it was a visionary idea and a masterpiece that he poured his heart and soul into. And when it was originally released...it flopped...hard. Years after his death when it was rereleased it seemed the public finally smartened up to this marvelous film -- and now his one dream, the continuation of this animated musical, finally gets its deserved treatment. I was a 10 or so when I saw the remastered original "Fantasia" in theaters and I can honestly say I was blown away. Watching the DVD of "Fantasia 2000" was pretty much the same thing. Diseny finally has hit its mark again with its "modern" classics -- and this was it.
As a collector's edition DVD this is one of Disney's better packages. While, inevitably every Disney DVD is one huge commercial for other Disney products, this one is actually both informative and entertaining. Obviously, the two films are entertainment in themselves. But the extra features are rather enjoyable themselves. The "making of" featurettes, which are about an hour apiece, really give some nice background on how both movies were made -- and the original is interspersed with Walt's own commentary! The third disc is basically a huge "making of" and history featurette -- and a patient person will enjoy leafing through all of the neat sketches and other photos packed on this DVD.
A worthwhile addition to any DVD collection, and definitely a must for a Disney/Fantasia fan!
46 Pure Magic
I originally saw this when it was re-released and I was in the first grade. It remains one of my treasured moments from childhood.
The classical compositions have been restored to brilliant clarity. The assault of color and the varying styles of animation are a feast for the eye. It is as mesmerizing today as it was when I first saw it.
Like many classics from a time long gone, it is a vivid reminder that there was a sweeter and more creative period in the 20th century when kids didn't have to tethered to computers and Nintendos to have quality downtime.
My kids and I went to see this in the theater a few years ago. Last year I bought this and the companion piece FANTASIA 2000. It was viewed on a big screen tv and was surprisingly effective inspite of the limitations of home theater.
I recommend this to anyone who wants to see Disney magic at its best. This is an excellent example of the varied talents of Disney's animation crew and a great chance to see Stokowski perform his own musical magic.
47 Fantasia is Brilliant, But 3 Disk Set is Overrated
Walt Disney's 1942 FANTASIA was a groundbreaking film and remains a landmark to this day, a brilliant series of animated sequences set to notable concert music conducted by Leopold Stokowski of The Philadelphia Orchestra. The three disk FANTASIA ANTHOLOGY, however, is extremely overrated.
The first disk is the original FANTASIA, which Disney describes as restored. This is not strictly true. First and foremost, the restoration of visual elements is sloppy at best, with the film plagued by streaks and blips, and at least one sequence ("Dance of the Hours") appears to be slightly cropped. That aside, portions of the Deems Taylor narration have been completely lost, and these have been rerecorded by Tim Matheson--and Matheson's voice is not a good match for Taylor and the sychronization is poorly done. Lastly, one selection ("Pastoral") has been censored: a brief image, which would be considered racist by today's standards, has been deleted from the sequence.
Even so, it is still FANTASIA, and it overcomes all of these liabilities. The animation, which was created by hand and photographed through a number of laborious processes, shows Disney Studios at the height of its powers. Every one is certain to have their favorites among the selections (mine are "Dance of the Hours" and "Night on Bald Mountain"), but every selection is brilliantly conceived and executed, and although the content varies from sequence to sequence the overall style of the film hangs together in a most remarkable way. FANTASIA was, is, and will no doubt will forever remain a touchstone in animation art.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the second disk, FANTASIA 2000. This particular film is extremely uneven, the sequences lack the same cohesive style that held the original FANTASIA together, and the entire film is beset by a series of often obnoxious "celebrity" introductions that give the film the feel of a made-for-TV variety show. Still, some of the visual ideas are very impressive, and while they are too few to offset the portions of the film that do not work, they still make FANTASIA 2000 mildly entertaining.
Both the FANTASIA and FANTASIA 2000 disks include documentaries and commentary tracks on each film. The third disk, called "The Fantasia Legacy," is a bonus packed with interviews, archieval footage, and sketches that show how each sequence in both films was developed and then filmed. Some of this material is redundant, for it is included on the documentaries on the first two disks, but most of it is unique to this disk alone. Disney originally saw FANTASIA as a film that could be re-released with a mix of old and new selections every few years, and the most interesting material on the "Legacy" disk is a restored "Clair de Lune" (made for and then cut from the original FANTASIA) and various storyboard ideas for future sequences.
The only way one can obtain the "Legacy" disk is to purchase this three disk package--and therein lies the rub. The original FANTASIA is brilliant, and even in its so-so state it is worthy of a place in any DVD library. FANTASIA 2000, however, is trivial, occasionally interesting but not greatly memorable and not a piece that one would normally go out of the way to purchase. And the price for the three disk package is quite steep.
If you are a Disney fan who must have every scrap of material available, I would recommend the investment this package requires. But if your primary interest is the original FANTASIA, you are much better off simply purchasing a DVD of that film alone--the other two disks are simply not worth the expense. Purchasers should alos remember that the original FANTASIA does not often appeal to very young children, and if the purchase is being made for a child you are likely to be disappointed in their response. Final thought: the original FANTASIA is brilliant, FANTASIA 2000 is so-so, and the bonus disk is for hardcore fans. This pricey package is recommended to the latter only.
48 NOT the original, "uncut" theatrical version!
The quality and presentation of this restored version of FANTASIA is wonderful. Finally restored, unseen since the initial release, are the complete introductory sequences, including a chimes player's accident with his instrument, the orchestra applauding Mickey Mouse, and the orchestra shuffling out for the intermission. Even the original title card has been returned to its proper place, during the intermission. (Some of the narration was rerecorded due to original voice tracks being no longer available.) But there is CONSIDERABLE CONTROVERSY over the continued censorship of the "Pastorale" sequence. Circa 1969, the seemingly racist shots of a black centaurette (similar to Our Gang's "Buckwheat") attending on the white centaurettes were cut from the film. Allegedly, the 1980 release's new soundtrack covered up the clumsy edit. Subsequent releases to video have used optical tricks to remove the appearance of black centaurs. In this "restored" version, some of the optical edits are still glaringly obvious.
The film survives as a masterpiece of filmic art, and this presentation of a "politically correct, original version" (my description) is tempting. But Disney does this release, and all customers and fans, a disservice by inappropriately calling it a "restored" and "uncut" version, when in fact it is NOT the version that was seen in the 1940 road shows. Let your buying conscience be your guide, but consider the significance of buying an "uncut version" that is not uncut.
49 A classic rediscovered, a new classic, and a lot more
I already owned the original "Fantasia" (on VHS), and bought "Fantasia 2000" when I bought my DVD player. I wanted to buy the "Legacy" DVD when I was down in Orlando, but the Disney people told me that the only way I could get it was to buy the Anthology boxed set. So I bought it, and I'm glad I did.
I'd forgotten how wonderful the original "Fantasia" is. I worked as an usher at my local movie theatre when I was in high school (in the 70's). For several summers back then, Disney ran their own little festival of their greatest animated films, and the kids flocked in to see them. Sadly, one summer they showed "Fantasia" as part of the festival. I say "sadly" because "Fantasia" is NOT in the same vein as "Snow White", "Cinderella", or even "The Jungle Book". Although it is an animated film I see it as too sophisticated for young children (with the single exception of the "Sorcerer's Apprentice" segment with Mickey Mouse) - and my point was proved when at least two thirds of the audience fell asleep during the film. But for older kids (ages 14 and up) it is a marvelous introduction to classical music - they can listen to several pieces of music and watch one man's interpretation of that music. And adults can both appreciate the music, and relive their childhood for a time by watching the animation.
"Fantasia 2000" will never really have the same emotional impact as its predecessor, but to compare these two films is really to compare apples and oranges. The animation in this film is completely different than the animation in the original. It's not a question of evolution, although the process has indeed evolved. The original "Fantasia" showed what could be done with the animation available at the time; so too does "Fantasia 2000" show what can be done with animation as it now is. Each in their own way, these films are the ultimate achievement of their time, and will serve as guideposts for animators for years to come. The major difference here is that "Fantasia 2000" was never marketed as a children's movie, even though Disney included the "Sorcerer's Apprentice" sequence in it.
But the major reason to buy this set is the third disc - "The Fantasia Legacy". There are so many extras in here that it would take far too long to describe them all. I'll just focus on one set - the pieces that Walt Disney had to drop from the film because they made it too long.
There is only one complete sequence - "Clair de Lune". The music and animation are just as spectacular as those that made into what is now considered the final cut. The others contained on this disc are only storyboards, but the music is included on a sequential showing of each of them. What a pity that World War II forced Walt to abandon his dream of replacing some of the existing sequences from time to time with some of those shown here - if the artwork is any indication at all, "Fantasia" could have been something REALLY special.
50 Still brilliant after sixty years
"Fantasia" is a Disney movie for the older crowd. I don't think small children can truly appreciate the blend of animation and classical music in this one. My mother says I watched it when I was little and fell asleep. Must have been the calming sounds of violins and flutes. :)
But she brought it back to my attention when I was twelve. I was delighted to see sequences like the beautiful fairy and flower dances to "The Nutcracker," the parade of centaurs and cupids set to Beethoven, and Mickey Mouse stirring up trouble in "The Sorcerer's Apprentice."
Some people balk at the restoration quality of the original film. All I can say is this: I remember seeing "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" sequence on the Disney Channel when I was a kid. It was grainy, muddy and dull. When I saw the first attempt at restoration on VHS in the early 90s, it was a HUGE improvement. Sixty years can take its toll on film strip. We cannot possibly expect perfection.
You may ask, why did you only give it four stars? I will tell you why, and I will tell you that I will feel this way until the day that I die. I absolutely despise the "Night on Bald Mountain" sequence. I thought it was too scary, too evil to be part of a collection of much lighter cartoons. I have only watched that sequence all the way through ONCE and that was enough. It gave me nightmares for days (and now that I'm thinking about it...oh, not again). I'm not overly religious or anything, I am just not a fan of cartoon demons. Even at 22, they still scare me.
Even though the "devil" cartoon haunts me, I do enjoy the rest of the film. Each animated clip is perfectly suited to the musical piece, creating a synchronicity between art and music. It paved the way for the more technologically-advanced "Fantasia 2000," another great film that unfortunately lacks the hand-drawn authenticity of the original. "Fantasia" was one of many of Disney's revolutionary cinematic statements.
51 Timeless Disney classic
Fantasia is one of my favorite videos, and once I get my hands on the DVD version, it will also be my one of my favorite DVDs! I watched this movie countless times when I was a kid, but I recently saw it again and appreciated it even more. I've been playing classical piano since I was 4 (I'm 16 now) and since I know from experience that music can put images and stories in your head, I loved what they did with it. My favorite ones include the dancing fairy sequence, the appropriately scary "Night On Bald Mountain" animation, and Beethoven's pastoral symphony with the flying ponies, cupids, and centaurs.
Another thing I noted when I saw Fantasia was the year it was made in, along with the stunning animation. In the early 1940s, with the technology being what it was, each frame had to be individually drawn by the animator. The beautiful scenes flow by so effortlessly you'd never guess how much work went into each frame. When you think about it, it's mind-boggling. If you haven't seen Fantasia, you haven't lived. It's that simple. ;)
52 A must own for music fans
Musicians who love music are all over classical music. No other style can be more expressive, and more effective in causing the mind to create its own "images", if you will, than classical. Classical music is also the most under apreciated music out there. There isn't enough focus on it, and the vast majority of music sales fall under the rock catagorey. But classical, and neo classical remain my favorite genre. As such, the two Fantasia films are amoung my favorite DVD collection on a shelf for all to see, rather than in a DVD storage box like the majority of my collection. I will confess that I never got around to watching the third disk of this collection, but I really enjoyed the movies despite the agrivating cuts made to the original to make it more "politically correct" (I don't know why people get so upset about such trivial things, but oh well.) My only concern is the condition of the original. Neither the sound or the video was as good as it could have been. Perhaps it is because the original footage is so old, but it does make one wonder why Disney didn't take the oportunity to try and restore the film during the nineties. Mr. Lucas did it with Star Wars, and granted Fantasia is much older than Star Wars, but the film preservation could have been better. They could have restored it earlier, thus saving more of the visual flare that I believe this film has lost due to the age of the footage. Because they did not do this the film looks pretty bad. But the movie is more so about the music anyway, which thankfully was restored earlier in the films "life". While Fantasia may be boring for some, for music lovers it is a must have, and the DVD format will give you the best possible presentation of these two spectacular films.
53 A wonderful Fantasia Collection...
The value of this anthology lies in thebonus material disk, which includes a wealth of background information, artwork, and reconstructed scenes and storeyboards for "The Fantasia That Never Was." The true jewel is the reconstituted "Clair de Lune" sequence, finished but cut from the original Fantasia in 1940. You may have seen portions of the animation, re-edited and rescored, as "Blue Bayou" in "Make Mine Music." If so, I'm sure you'll agree that the animation is much better used in its original context.
The Fantasia and Fantasia 2000 disks are wonderful too, but not nearly as epiphanic as the bonus disk, with its inclusion of "Clair de Lune." One tragedy of the Fantasia 60th anniversary DVD is the failure to include the original Deems Taylor voiceovers in the interstitials. Apparently, the disc producers had within their control ALL original interstitial material (some of which had been cut from previous editions), but could not locate ALL of the audio for the previiously cut portions. As a result, they were left with a choice to either present a full and complete version of the original with a new or partially-new voiceover, or present another edited version completely voiced by the original narrator, Deems Taylor. They went with the decision to include all of the scenes with a new voiceover. Their voice choice was Corey Burton - an excellent choice, yet, sadly, no substitute for Taylor.
Rediscovering Fantasia has, for me, refreshed the notion of Walt Disney as an artist and friend of the intellectual. It's tremendously easy, in this tepid Eisnerian era, to dismiss 'Disney' as a commercialistic, pap-spewing corporate evil. But in Walt Disney's lifetime, that wasn't necessarily the case. Fantasia made Mr. Disney the darling of the intelligentsia!
So. Don't throw away your old Fantasia videos, but DO add this wonderful anthology to your collection. It offers some fresh material, encouraging you to make fresh insights regarding the film, the men who created it, and the time in which it was made. Plus, it offers the added fun of the visually-breathtaking Fantasia 2000, the darling of the IMAX screen.
54 The First and the Best
Fantasia, crafted via Disney Studio hand-painting in the late 30s, is the first real video and the best. Period.
The visual themes are far more logical than the PC pablum of Fantasia 2000, and the art -- not being computer-derived -- is far superior. Mind you, Fantasia 2000 is a good work. But I am the first of three generations in my family to have seen both productions and all three of us are of like mind.
I saw it first when I was eight and never forgot it. My 32-year-old saw Fantasia in Ann Arbor when she was four and made sure her son saw it by the time he was six. All of us agree the original sets the class by which one measures the second (and all others) and against which the second (an all others) simply doesn't measure up. It is a pure, incomparable, thrilling visual and aural treasure of Western culture.
By all means, show your kids Fantasia 2000.
But keep the original for your kids to view at least once a year. In years to come, they'll be back with your grandkids to repeat that defining wonderful childhood experience.
55 love it!
Great movie. Good music, great drawing. Just wish they hadnt put in naked girl centaurs and half woman, half birds.
56 Excellent collector's edition for Disney fans
The Fantasia Anthology contains material that every Disney fan/collector will enjoy. It's worth the extra money to upgrade to this edition of Fantasia and Fantasia 2000.
57 A MUST HAVE!
You MUST own this set if you are a lover of Fantasia, Disney or animation in general. I have never seen a more complete DVD, or one that so embraces the format as this. There are extras spilling out all over the place. I watched this for 5 hours straight, and didn't even scratch the surface of what surprises were included. It may be months before I even get to the films themselves!
The boxed set includes both Fantasia films & a DVD of just extras. Each of the DVDs for the individual films not only include extras themselves, but 2 commentary tracks each. On Fantasia the commentary is by Disney himself, taken from audio interviews and reading of transcripts from story meetings. It's incredible! The extras disc breaks down all of the individual parts of the films with discussion, unused animation, story boards or whatever else may have been available for that particular film.
You will not be sorry if you invest in this!
58 Fantasia a 5/ Fantasia 2000 a 3
The original is fantastic and having on it DVD is wonderful. Fantasia 2000 just did not have the same spark that the original had. The musical performance by the Chicago Symphony was excellent as it should have been. The creativeness behind the animation was not there. Only the flamingos in "The Carnival of Animals" segment resembled the genius of the first feature. What in the world do whales have to do with "The Pines of Rome." I would much rather have looked at artists renderings of the locations described by the music in "Pines of Rome." "Pomp and Circumstance" with Noah's Ark? The "Firebird" segment was close and would have worked if they had not cut pieces out of the music. It sounds great and it is visually stunning. I just expected a little more creativity.
59 Fantasia: A Film Unlike Any Other
Review 1 of 7 set reviews: "The Fantasia Anthology" was released in 2000. This set is probally the one with the greatest legnth for one of the greatest motion pictures of all time. When you order or buy this set, it comes with three discs in a cardboard box and a letter from Roy Disney. The clef on the cover changes it's color at angles. The letter includes a list of all the features on the third disc. The set's three discs are the original "Fantasia", "Fantasia 2000", and the "Fantasia Legacy." The original "Fantasia" has great things. Including the 1940 "Roadshow" version of the film. Over the years, it has been cut. This is the original 125 minute "Fantasia." Complete with intermission and narration. There are two audio commentaries. One with Roy Disney, James Levine, John Canemaker, and Scott MacQueen. The second one is an audio commentary with Walt Disney! It is gathered from interviews spanning three decades. They are all hosted by John Canemaker. The final feature is "The Making of Fantasia" featurette. It is a great way to see the making of the film. The technical features are two captions, english and french. There is DTS 5.1 digital sound and Dolby Digital 5.1 digital surround sound. Final thing is the THX Optimode. The second disc is "Fantasia 2000," the long awaited sequel to "Fantasia." Walt wanted "Fantasia" to be a work in progress, with new segments replacing existing segments over years of continual release. His idea never happend for 60 years until "Fantasia 2000" was released. This movie contains "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" and seven new segments. The hosts are celebrities. There are also two audio commentaries. The first one contains Roy Disney, James Levine, and Don Ernst. The second one features the segment directors, art directors, Roy Disney, Mickey Mouse, and Donald Duck. There are two musical shorts: "Melody" and the Academy Award winnning short "Toot, Whistle, Plunk, and Boom." There is a showcase program featuring highlights from the feature, a Roy Disney introduction, a "Fantasia 2000" booklet, a french language track in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround, and finally "The Making of Fantasia 2000" featurette. There are also these technical features: THX Optimode, Dolby Digital Surround 5.1 sound, captions for english and french, and DTS Digital 5.1 sound. The final disc is the "Fantasia Legacy Supplemental Disc." It is the crown jewel of the set. It is the detailed making of both of the movies. There is an introduction. Then you go to Fantasia. The eight segments feature introductions, deleted scenes, "Disneyland T.V." excerpts, and about the music. In the more features, there is the "Fantasia That Never Was." Featuring an introduction and the following suggested pieces for the future "Fantasias:" "Clair De Lune." This has a visual developement gallery. This piece was scheduled to open the original "Fantasia" but was cut out because of "Fantasia's" excessive legnth. There were previous attempts to restore this but were disabled. In 1993, they found the complete thing. This piece was used in the late 1940s in "Make Mine Music." "The Ride of the Valkyries" was a piece that only got to the story reel. At the time it was being considered because the war didn't have America in it but it was raging in Europe. So they thought it would be too dramatic a piece to be inserted into any future "Fantasia." "The Swan of Tuonela" was cut because it never came to frution. It is a lovely, moody, slow piece. Another piece is "The Invitation To The Dance." Walt put Peter Pegasus from the "Pastoral Symphony" in the original "Fantasia." The final piece is "Adventures in a Perambulator." This piece is in an elaborate story reel made in the 1940s. There is art for other concepts. These are for "The Flight of The Bumblebee," "Baby Ballet," and "Mosquito." Also at the more section, there is "The Special Effects of Fantasia" featurette, a publicity section, and the biographies. Then there is the Fantasia 2000 section featuring the making of every segment, there is deleted segments, alternate concepts, about the music, production progression demonstrations, galleries, story reels, storyboard to film comarisons, and other featurettes. At the more section, you mix your own music for Betthoven's Symphony #5, the biographies, and the trailors.
What a set this is. This movie is better than a lot of the new stuff that they make today. There is another "Fantasia" coming out soon. So we want this to be a set to cherish for generations. Order now from any store DVDs are sold.
Also read these other reviews:
1. The Fantasia Anthology
2. Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs Platinum Edition
3. The Funny World Of Lucy Gift set
4. Walt Disney Treasures: Silly Symphonies
5. Walt Disney Treasures: Mickey Mouse in Living Color
6. Walt Disney Treasures: Davy Crockett
7. Walt Disney Treasures: Disneyland USA
8. Coming Soon! Walt Disney Treasures: The Best of The Mickey Mouse Club
I hope this review was helpful and you enjoyed it.
Milan Louis Brandon II
60 Finally Fantasia at its Finest
Walt Disney's highly ambitious venture into the marriage of animation and classical music is part acid-trip, and part experimental indie-film (long before either term was coined). Though flawed with a questionable format echoing a concert presentation and often tedious narrative by Deems Taylor, this often misunderstood film truly shines in DVD format as the crown jewel in the crown of the golden age of animation. Watching with commentary by John Canemaker, Roy Disney, and James Levine provides for a new 'insider' understanding of the film as well as placing each selection within historical context in regards of what was happening in art, film, culture, and music at the time. There is also a seperate commentary of quips from Walt Disney compiled by Canemaker which, while a good idea to put in such a feature, seems a little too patched together. The 'Making of' Featurette provides little new produciton material or drawings outside of what already exists in books and other similar 'making of' films but is interesting nonetheless. The film itself never looked better. Each stipple of drybrush and airbrush reads clearly and the often bold, crisp lines of the cel animation are like no other previous version. The sound, while muffled at times by the 'Fantasound' development of the studio in the late 1930's is the most pristine version of the recording that I have heard. With the additional Deems footage, and the inclusion an actual intermission, it would seem that this is THE version of Fantasia. Get your frame-by-frame button ready.
An interesting footnote: Although the box reads "Uncut", it is apparent in the Pastoral sequence that some editing was done in the sequence where the "Centaurettes" parade for their suitors. This is due to the appearance of a stereotypical pickaninny female Centaur who tends to the others. In one scene in particular as Bacchus struggles up some stairs, it seems as though she was digitally removed altogether having seen the film before when the same scene was tightly cropped. Whether the elimination of the character by the current studio is sensativity to Black audiences or over-political correctness and a white-washing of history is for the viewer to decide.
61 Fantasia Goes 3
The Walt Disney's largest set with the most features is now avaible from Disney DVD, The Fantasia Anthology. Included on 3 discs, it includes the original "Fantasia" and the long awaited sequel "Fantasia 2000." I would like to now give you a brief tour of the entire set. I will give you each individual feature. Disc 1 includes the original Fantasia complete with an intermission and full narration by Deems Taylor. These have not been included in the film since it's debut. There are also two audio commentaries. One by Roy Disney, Conductor James Levine, John Canemaker, and Scott McQueen. the second commentary is by the person who made this movie a possibility, Walt Disney himself. This commentary is assembled from rare archival recordings by Walt himself. Each recording is presented by Canemaker. There is also a Making of Walt Disney's Fantasia featurette and is 46 min. in legnth. In set up, you will find in audio options, DTS and Dolby Digital. In Subtitles, you will find French and English. The second disc in the set includes Fantasia 2000. The sequel that Walt wanted to make all his life but didn't. So they made it and it made it's theatrical debut last year. There is the new Fantasia with celebrity host introductions. They have a beautiful opening sequence. And there are seven entirely new pieces and one classic returning favorite. There are also two audio commentaries. The first one includes Executive Producer Roy Disney, Producer Don Ernst, and Conductor James Levine. The second features the art and sequence directors on the film. It also includes guest apperances with Mickey and Donald. There is a Making of Disney's Fantasia 2000 featurette, 48 minutes, which you could learn the history of Fantasia 2000. More than that. There is a Roy Disney intro, Animated Short "Toot, Whistle, Plunk, and Boom," animated short "Melody," and showcase program featuring highlights from the film. For set up, there is French Dolby Digital, English Dolby Digital, and English DTS. For subtitles, there is French and English. The final disc includes the making of both Fantasia films. A striking introduction and beautiful menus decorate. In the Fantasia section, they take you to each of the eight sequences: Toccata and Fuege, Nutcracker Suite, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Rite of Spring, The Pastoral Symphony, Dance of the Hours, Night on Bald Mountain, and Ave Maria plus the Interstials. Each section includes an Introduction, still galleries, and about the music. Some have the Walt Disney T.V. show excerpts from the show named "Disneyland." There are unused concepts and clips from the film too. In more features at Fantasia, you will find publicity, with posters, trailers, and the programs. At biographies, you may read about the filmakers. A featurette named "Special Effects of Fantasia" is avaible there. There is finally "The Fantasia That Never Was" section. It included in introduction and had sequences Walt was going to put in a future Fantasia. Each includes a still gallery. At each of the eight sequences of Fantasia 2000, we have a featurette on the making, a couple of galleries, and about the music. Most of them have other featurettes, production progression demos, split screen comparisons, and deleted sequences of concepts. The sequences are The Interstials, Symphony #5, Pines of Rome, Rhapsody in Blue, Piano Concerto #2 Allegro Opus 102 The Steadfast Tin Soldier, Carnival of the Animals finale, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Pomp and Circumstance Marches 1,2,3, and 4, and Firebird Suite 1919 version. At more features, there are biographies, a mixing demonstration, and theatrical trailers, posters, and T.V. spots. Also, there is a letter by Roy Disney in the package. Get this set and I assure you will not be dissapointed. I hope you enjoy "The Fantasia Anthology Collector's Set."
62 Classic, Classic, Classic.
Classic, Classic, Classic. Those three words seem destined forever to describe this movie, and it's tempting to over-rely on them when reviewing it. However if we look beyond the fun and games of the promotions department at Disney, we see an intelligent and caringly crafted piece of art, which is probably as relevant to-day as the updated version made for its 50th
anniversary.
The music used is mainly well-known, and is as timeless in its own way as the various animations used as an accompaniment. This is a wonderful way to present orchestral music to the children of the Nintendo generation, and a perfect film to sit round and watch with all the family. I recommend buying the restored original version which is available on DVD for any British
viewers who have only seen the Wizard's Apprentice clip time after time on Screen Test!
63 Watch Out for Balleting Pachyderms and Marching Brooms...
Like I've said elsewhere...
Why God Created DVD. The greatest animated feature ever done holds up quite well after all this time. And, I'm sorry! It ain't
just for the kids!
64 Disney's True Masterpiece
Never a big fan of Disney animation, this reviewer has always made Fantasia a major exception in his catalogue. And it's safe to assume that most people in the same boat (those who favor Kubrick and Scorsese over Cinderella and Snow White) will feel the same way. Sure, Fantasia has its share of cute, furry animals and ferries to boot. But the animation / classical score combo is simply awe-inspiring. How many features start things off with a series of brilliant abstract images matched to Bach's "Tocata and Fugue in D Minor"? Mickey Mouse has rarely been as enchanting as he is in "The Sorcerer's Apprentice", and "The Rites of Spring" sequence is as close to naturalism as classic animation has ever reached on film. But it's the film's finale, the "Night on Bald Mountain"/"Ave Maria" sequence, that is truly breathtaking. Never has evil been personified in motion picture history as it is here, and it is unlike anything Disney has attempted before or since. Forget every other Disney "masterpiece"; this is the real deal!
65 Excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is a must have item. Your kids will love it but those who will really appreciate it are the parents. The music is excellent and when visualized by Disney himself it is just magnificent.
The sense of humor on places is just great and you will love it.
You will need a large screen to really enjoy it in full.
66 Fantasia DVD
WARNING: This is a DVD of classical music accompanied by cartoons and drawings. The songs and cartoons tell stories, but do not buy this expecting a normal disney movie like Snow White, or Dumbo.
It is a very good edition to your collection, if you like music though.
67 Heaven for Disney Lovers
This is really a great DVD for Disney lovers. And for music lovers too.
The video quality of these discs is very nice: Fantasia has been remastered quite well and, even if dated, it appears detailed, with relatively low noise and some grain.
Fantasia 2000 is of course very very good, but not "perfect". Maybe due to the higher difficulties for MPEG to encode drawings and pictures with sharp edges, you will notice some pixelization and blocking effects. Nevertheless, this is absolutely not distracting and the overall impression is good. Video is only "nearly" perfect but... you will be captured by the sound. Fantasia is great, even if the sound is dated and surround effects are a bit too exagerated by early-experimentation.
Fantasia 2000 is terrific. Pines of Rome is a very good example of high quality multichannel recording. And the DTS track delivers great basses, subtle details and much higher level compared to the DD version, giving more punch and improving resolution and S/N ratio.
Regarding the extras... you have to have it: you can find extras all around the three discs, and not only in the third one. You'll learn everything about Fantasia, and also about how Fantasia has never been...
68 The reason to buy a DVD Player
This is a wonderful movie for anyone with more than a five minute attention span. When I learned that they were making a box set, I bought a DVD player. I wasn't dissapointed.
69 watch out
I bought this set. they said it was restored with theatrial aspect ratio. they ... mines 4:3. bought mine at a local store, im taking it back. Do they think just because most people dont care that it doesnt matter. DVD features should be more then just writen on the box, it would be nice if they were on the DVD.
70 A unique and brilliant MASTERPIECE from Disney
What do you get when a very talented orchestra combines with a brilliant idea for a film? You get a Disney masterpiece of course. "Fantasia" isn't at all like the typical film from Walt Disney. A live orchestra plays several familiar music tunes throughout the two hours of running time, while at the same time, you get to watch animated cartoons that enact with the music. The orchestra has a lot of great instruments ready to play such as percussions, drums, harps, horns, and many more.
Some of the cartoons and music are just there to make up pictures like you might picture in your mind while simply listening to the music, and others tell a story while music plays in the background. For example, you'll see Mickey Mouse star in an unforgettable cartoon where Mickey serves as The Sorcerer's Apprentice, which is my favorite part of "Fantasia." Another good example is when the conductor tells you to imagine what it would be like if you were in outer space looking at a desolate planet called earth. Right after he tells you that, the orchestra starts playing and then the cartoon starts out in outer space, dinosaurs eventually appear, and then from there, I'll let you find out the rest that "Fantasia" has in store.
I'll admit, I'm not the biggest fan of orchestras or music without the aid of singing, but I did like most of the music in "Fantasia" and the cartoons were interesting to watch. And in my opinion, the idea of combining great orchestra music with live-action cartoons was brilliant, especially for the time that this film was made. Even if you're not a huge fan of instrumental music or even cartoons, I recommend giving "Fantasia" a try....you just might be impressed. I know I was!
71 Escapism at it's best!
I absolutely love Fantasia! I've seen it over 50 times and never tire of it. The DVD is even better than the theater version - I can watch it any time I want. Fantasia was the first video I bought and I replaced that with the DVD when it became available.
I can't listen to any of the music from the movie without picturing the images created by the Disney artists.
Too bad I can only give it 5 stars.
The visuals are beautiful - especially since Disney cleaned the original.
72 Dumb
Amen, Mr. Schneider! Ya hit the nail on the head. This movie blows chunks! Please, don't see it! Ignore all these stupid 5-star reviews!
73 Wow
All i have to say is "outstanding". both of these movies are simply marvelous and a delight to watch, most particularly, rhapsody in blue. the firebird suite is also breathtaking. a must have for everyone.
74 Influential and enchanting
There's something truly remarkable about this movie. An extremely personal project for Walt Disney, it is, quite appropriately, his studio's most ambitious creation. In my opinion, it's also their finest. I remember the first time I ever saw it--during its 1990 cinema re-release. At the time I was about seven and found it...a little...boring. But now, eleven years later, I totally love it. I wouldn't be surprised if most kids were to react to it as I did. It is very unconventional. There is little of the mainstream humour you'd find in a "normal" Disney feature. It is NOT The Little Mermaid. Instead it's a marvellous experiment. Eight classical compositions played against eight cartoons, only one of which disappoints.
The Nutcracker Suite and The Rite of Spring are my favourites from the movie. The music is great, and both cartoons are masterfully done and beautiful to watch. The former is pretty and charming, with its tiny fairies and dancing mushrooms, and the latter is a powerful depiction of the creation of the world, and primitive life. Those two sections alone, in my opinion, elevate Fantasia high above any other animated movie in existence. But even then, there's more great stuff in the movie. The Toccata and Fugue sequence, with its well-known music presented against "abstract" cartoon images, is also hugely involving and impressive (not to mention surprisingly eerie). The Sorcerer's Apprentice (starring an unusually flustered Mickey Mouse) and the Dance of the Hours (with the hilarious dancing hippos and crocs) are exciting and witty, and probably the scenes from the movie that kids will most enjoy. Night on Bald Mountain has a great Halloween-y feel to it (scary imagery and creepy music) and the movie closes perfectly with the sedate Ave Maria. The Pastoral Symphony sequence (good music marred by clumsy animation and WAY too much sugar-coating) is the only part of the movie you'll want to skip. But the quality of everything else more than makes up for it.
Everyone should experience Fantasia at some point in their lives. The sequel was okay, but certainly no where near the standards set by this one.
75 One of Disney's greatest cinematic achievements!
This is truly a triumph of animation technology; one that is suitable for the entire family to enjoy. First, we have the original "Fantasia," featuring crocodiles dancing with hippos to Beethoven's 6th, Dinosaurs marching to Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" and much more!
The 2nd edition ("Fantasia 2000") lives up to the quality of its predecessor. We get whales prancing about to Resphigi's "Pines Of Rome" as well as a literal nature-themed interpretation of Stravinsky's "Firebird" suite. Both DVDs have the classic "Sorcerer's Apprentice," starring Mickey Mouse. Arguably, this is the most infamous and recognizable animated feature in Disney history.
This DVD collection is highly recommended for all people, all age groups & all cultures. Simply said, "Fantasia" has something for everyone.
76 Long Live The Fantasia Legacy
This box set is by far superior to the individual titles. In addition to the 2 popular films of their time, you get a 3rd disc featuring a blow by blow behind the scenes disc of every segment of both movies and the segments that never were on screen. If you're gonna purchase Fantasia and Fantasia 2000 on DVD get this box set. It's a much better bargain.
77 A childish romp!
I stopped watching cartoons when I was about 10 years old. So I guess that most of you guys who review this with such verve never realy grew up. Cartoons are for children! Get a life!
78 Fantasia - Disney's "forgotten" Masterpiece
Fantasia is still one of the most innovative and original animated motion pictures even sixty years later. The marriage of top-notch animation and classical music was made in heaven. The music that was chosen is still popular even today - and there are many people who cannot listen to musical numbers from the movie without visualizing the scenes that went along with the music. Scenes include Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, the Nutcracker Suite, Sorceror's Apprentice, the wonderful "Rite of Spring", Beethoven's "Pastoral Symphony" with it's Greek mythology theme, the Dance of the Hours, and the very imaginative "Night on Bald Mountain". In fact, since "Fantasia", "Night on Bald Mountain" is rarely presented without "Ave Maria". One of Disney's triumphs.
79 A Bad Excuse For Great Classical Music
This movie has proven to be one of the most boring movies of all time. For 125 minutes you have to watch gosh-awful (Well not for that time) drawings put in sync with some pieces of really good music. The result is boring excuse for a movie. I stopped this mid-way because I hated it so much and I was bored out of my mine. And I'm considered to have a long attention-span. Those of you with short attention-spans hate this movie. It's boring, it's old, and it's not worth it. Save your money.
80 The One to Own!
Kids will love the animation. Adults will love the music. This is a family piece unlike any other. It is a treasure to share!
81 Wonderful animation and music.
This Australian fan firstly got the region 4 version of Fantasia 2000.Well,as usual the Disney organisation has short-changed fans outside the USA as both Fantasia and Fantasia 2000 are missing commentaries and featurettes as well as some other things.I got the region 2(British)version of the box set only to find the same thing-only the third disc has the extras listed on the USA version.WHY didn't they include Walt Disney's interviews and the featurettes? The world wants to see them from this genius.Why not have the same booklet as the American booklets which have much more information?Why did I buy it?Because PAL gives a better picture than NTSC,so it is a pity that the American extras weren't included.And why didn't they clean up the famous 'Clare De Lune' ommitted sequence from Fantasia? A computer could have deleted the scratches and marks easily.The Disney organisation needs to get it's act together as the job needed to be finished.On the brighter side,the 'Fantasia that never was' has some very interesting alternate sequences,such as the original ending of the Firebird episode of Fantasia 2000.Simply fantastic!The third disc has some wonderful stuff,but I would have liked to have seen more interviews with Walt Disney.
82 Classic and Modern Animation + Classic Music + Great Extras!
What does this equation equal? Tons of hours of fun for any music, animation, or disney fan. When I purchased my DVD Player, the first DVD I thought of buying was Fantasia. I thought to myself, "Wouldn't it be great if Disney released Fantasia on DVD along with Fantasia 2000?" Well, I did some research on the web and found out that Disney had read my mind. The greatest part about the Anthology is all of the extras. There two tracks of commentaries for both feature films, and interviews with disney animators, Documentaries, alternate endings for the segments, the list goes on and on. My favorite is the complete segment of "Clair de Lune" a segment that was never released with the original Fantasia, but I believe it should have been. The Fantasia Anthology demonstrates what Disney can do if they are willing to be serious about their work. The animation is as mature as the music is. This is animation that adults can enjoy possibly even more than children. I remember how frightened I was the first time I saw Night on Bald Mountain. The emotions you will recieve from these movies are more intense and thouht- provoking than most feature- length animated films you see today, no matter who the distributor is. As you can tell, I highly reccomend paying the extra dough for the whole set, even if this means that you have to wait untill you have saved enough, the DVD's are deffinately worth the wait.
83 A good film & disc
Not one of my favorite Disney films, but it is good. I am amazed Disney put extras on the disc. I was glad to see that. Good picture quality.
84 Fantasia means fantasy
When I first got it for Christmas in 1991, I found it boring, and I couldn't keep concentrated on it. That was when I was three. Now I'm twelve, I get it. It is a bit like The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh or Make Mine Music, made up of tiny stories told with animation and music. My favourite part is the dancing mushrooms and thistles. Not so much for younger ones, but if you are nine or above, it's perfect.
85 Well worth the extra money!
The original Fantasia is unarguably Walt's finest achievement. The new DVD makes every scene and musical number jump right out of the screen! The complete 2 hour movie is here, digitally restored and remastered to a glory that could normally only be fully appreaciated on a large screen. I'd love to see this somewhere with a projection TV!
Fantasia 2000, while not living up to it's predecessor, still has some shining moments, including the marvelous "Pines of Rome", and the unsurpassed "Firebird". The anime-like "Firebird" is well worth the price of admission all by itself! Some of the new numbers are a little weak, but overall, the effect is worth watching. My only complaint is that I wish it had been longer. 74 minutes is not enough time to explore everthing that could have been done with the marriage of classical music to animation with today's techniques.
The companion disc, "The Fantasia Legacy", contains many interesting things for fans of both movies. It also includes some cutting room floor scenes, and whole sections that were deleted from both editions, including alternate endings! "The Fantasia That Never Was" is really worth watching if you love the original. Two hours and forty one minutes of additional material!
If you're thinking of getting these DVD's individually, go ahead and buy the set - you won't regret it.
86 Almost Perfect
The original "Fantasia" is a masterpiece that was truly ahead of its time. I bought the VHS boxed set back in '91 and I'm glad I did. Although this collection is comprehensive, it's not complete. First off, the inclusion of ALL of the original narration was a good idea but NOT without the voice of Deems Taylor. The "Fantasia" DVD states that the original narration was unsalvageable, which is too bad. I miss Taylor's more masculine sounding voice and the dubbing is obvious in a few places. Also, some of the audio for "Toot, Whistle..." is missing. Has anyone else had this problem? Also, the "Making of" from the VHS boxed set in NOT included in this DVD package. Some of the interviews were incorporated, though.
Now for the pluses. I LOVE the restored "Claire de lune" despite the fact that there's no introduction by Deems Taylor and some footage of Stokowski conducting the end of the toccata section from Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor" is used to begin the piece. It's like finding a new segment from the original "Fantasia". I also admire the storyboards for "The Ride of the Valkyries" and "The Swan of Tuonela". One can only hope that they will someday be animated in the style of Kai Nielsen.
It's almost perfect. I doubt we'll ever see the politically incorrect version of the "Pastorale" but surely they could do something to restore the original narration using Deems Taylor's voice. After all, it's Taylor who introduces Beethoven's Fifth in "Fantasia 2000".
87 For Young and Not-so-young
This is the gift that I wrote on a sticky note and told my husband that "Santa had better leave this in my stocking...get it?"
Well, he got it. And so did I. My 3yo and I have enjoyed it thoroughly.
My 8 month old is fascinated with the changing colors in some of the more abstract pieces.
I thought the picture and sound quality was excellent. However, I was a little disappointed in the Legacy DVD. I found it difficult to maneuver, with less material than I had presumed from advertising. I requested the Anthology version specifically because I wanted this part of the set. I think I would have been just as happy with the 2-DVD set and would recommend this to other buyers.
88 A personal story
I will not tell you about the DVD's special features, or any of the impressions I had from the digital capture of the film, or the quality of the sound; I'll tell you a story.
This is probably the first memory I have: I was 3 years old. My mother took me to a distant cinema to see my first film show. She told me that it is like a cartoon, but bigger. We entered the theater, sat down, and I was amazed of its size and capacity - though in retrospective it was a rather small theater... But when the lights went off and the film started, it overwhelmed me. The choice of this ultimate masterpiece as my first film ever left me with little choice for my future - I was to become a slave to cinema, animation and music for the rest of my life. These became my most treasured passions ever since. Whenever I picture music, it is forever colored with the magnificence of Disney's genius gift. It changed my life.
Yes - and it is a gift to all of us. Thank you, Walt, for showing me beauty, perfection and humility.
89 THREE REVIEWS HERE
FANTASIA
There are about 8 segments in this movie. Only 3 of them are barely entertaining. My fave was the dinosaur story, the old fashioned animation was way more eye pleasing than Disney's other movie (the imaginatively titled DINOSAUR). But the rest of this film stinks to high heaven. How anyone can be entertained by this crud is beyond all my understanding.
At the beginning of this movie we are made to suffer thru about 10 minutes of darkly lit shots of musicians tuning up. WHY?! Who on earth wants to see or hear that?! It is quite possibly the WORST opening to any movie that I have ever seen. A movie that begins with 100 kittens being tortured to death would be more entertaining. It would even sound better. I'm not kidding.
As this was the first movie made in stereo the sound is deliberately split over the two speakers. But the director gets too indulgent with it when he uses it to scare us when someone in the orchestra knocks over a xylophone.
Not even the 3 good segments (the other 2 being The Sorcerers apprentice and the dancing Alligator) can redeem this junk or create an excuse to sit thru 125 minutes of absolute garbage. Although it was 125 it seemed 10 times the length. It really was so boring. The sequel is much better.
FANTASIA 2000
Top quality animation and a sense of humor make this sequel much more bare-able than the wanton original. The running time of 74 minutes is a lot more easier on those who were bored to death the first time round. But be warned, The Sorcerer's Apprentice remains. As this was the original's ONLY selling point they decided to stick it back in there.
But my fave segment is the one with Donald Duck, in fact they were all cool apart from the obnoxiously ambitious attempt to resell us the Sorcerer's Apprentice. The TV show style introductions were more watchable than the boring Leopold Stokowski from the first.
This was the first animated movie to be made for IMAX screens and the digital picture is amazing. See this preferably on an IMAX screen or on DVD. Watching it on VHS would only insult the brilliant animation.
Once again, this is much better than the first and dire, dire, dire Fantasia.
FANTASIA LEGACY
An absolute massive truckload of extras in on this DVD. So much so that Disney have included a map to navigate the menus. I'm not kidding. A map! I'm STILL discovering new stuff on it and I've had it since Xmas. This box set is WELL worth the money.
90 Unique masterpiece
The original Fantasia is an undeniable masterpiece, and in bringing it to the digital medium, Disney has done the best job possible under the circumstances. The visuals are stunning (making the VHS practically unwatchable), and I am still amazed at the fidelity of the orginal soundtrack (probably one of the first to be recorded on to magnetic tape, hence the crispness). The long forgotten intermission has also been included, which really gives the film the feeling of a concert. However, for the DVD, Disney made a bold move. For the sake of completeness, the narration in between pieces has been fully restored, and in some cases is over twice the length of the original. To accomodate this Deems Taylor's VOICE has been dubbed over by a similar voice reading his words verbatim. Apparently, the audio portion of the restored segments was unsalvagable, and the re-dubbing was done for consistentcies sake. Too bad. The only other discrepency, was that the classic art-decoesque "Fantasia" title that flashes on the screen before the curtain opens is GONE. Perhaps that was not part of the original cut.
91 Finally on DVD but not quite
It's wonderful to finally have the original Fantasia on DVD, and I'm glad Roy Disney went to the trouble to restore it to the roadshow version. The only real complaint I have is that the voice you hear is NOT that of Deams Tailor but of a voice actor used to restore sound quality to the footage. Kind of unsettling and jarring, when I am so familiar with Mr. Tailor's voice and the remastered version that came out on video and LaserDisc.
92 PHANTASMAGORIA ...MULTIMEDIA
Since 1940, Fantasia had only occasionally revisited us for one of its brief and infrequent appearances at movie theatres. Those of us who chose to see the first Fantasia had been graced by one of filmdom's more risky but enduring experiments. Disney's 1940 motion picture is the original inspiration for all subsequent conceptual MTV type Music Videos, especially of the 1980s and later. Stokowski's fervent presentation of the classical sounds are unforgettable. We do not often benefit on such a grand scale from sublime genius and inspiration presented in slick multimedia convenience. "Motion picture history was made last night...Fantasia...is simply terrific" said Bosley Crowther in The New York Times, November 14, 1940. With the premiere in 1940, Fantasia had been released for brief theatrical runs only ten times in the next 50 years. It was seen again in 1942, '46, '56, '63, '69, '77, '82,Ê'84, and in 1990. Those infrequent releases barred a great share of the market from convenient access. Fortunately, the 50th Anniversary release returned to theatres in 1990 with its original Stokowski recorded soundtrack, extensively restored and digitally remastered to bring back and clean up his acoustic masterpiece.ÊThe genius of Fantasia is as much Stokowski as Disney. Stokowski wa
