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| Fantasia
Year: 1940
Classification: Classics (Silents/Avant Garde)
Directed:
- T. Hee
- Norman Ferguson
- Wilfred Jackson
- Ben Sharpsteen
- Ford Beebe
- Jim Handley
- Paul Satterfield
- Hamilton Luske
- James Algar
- Samuel Armstrong
Actors/Actresses:
- Angela Lansbury
- Leopold Stokowski
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!
If there were 10 stars, this would have it
Not only is this the greatest piece of animation Walt Disney ever made, it is also one of the most original and daring works of art in all of history. Perhaps only Manet's Olympia, Stravinsky's Rite of Spring or Kubrick's 2001 approach it in terms of artistic risk. The abstract animation of the opening sequence is an amazing step for a mere "cartoon." There is humor, real drama, and even death. And the whole thing has a peculiar coherence.
Some of the segments don't work as well as others; I didn't particularly enjoy the interpretation of Night on Bald Mountain and I've never been all that much of a fan of the Sorceror's Apprentice segment. But, ultimately, that doesn't matter; Fantasia is as innovative a work of art as anyone has ever made, it remains my favorite movie of all time, and I'm delighted that it's finally on DVD.
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.BR>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.
Buy Fantasia at Amazon.com
Buy posters at Allposters.com
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