Fantasia

Fantasia Photos

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Cast & Crew

Deems Taylor
Narrator

Leopold Stokowski
Music Performer

Walt Disney
Mickey Mouse
Voice

Julietta Novis
Music Performer

James MacDonald
Music Performer

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Music Performer

Paul J. Smith
Music Performer

James Algar
Director

Samuel Armstrong
Director

Ford Beebe
Director

Norman Ferguson
Director

Jim Handley
Director

T. Hee
Director

Wilfred Jackson
Director

Hamilton Luske
Director

Bill Roberts
Director

Paul Satterfield
Director

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News & Interviews for Fantasia

Critic Reviews for Fantasia

Audience Reviews for Fantasia

• Aug 11, 2020

  Before talking about Fantasia I want to talk about Fantasia 2000. I saw Fantasia 2000 on release weekend in IMAX theaters. It was a massive event, they used every aspect of the theater. Full scale of the surround sound, and even projecting events from the film in shadows around you in the theater. It was a singular moment in time that will not be repeated. I say this to say that while Fantasia is obviously a much better movie, I liked Fantasia 2000 more because that event experience really is how this type of movie is meant to be experienced. I have a big TV, but it doesn't matter. Unless you have a massive screen, and a great sound system, it's just not the same, it's that type of movie. It's replicating the experience of going to a concert, and like going to a concert, watching a taped version at home just isn't the same. I really wish I could experience this in theaters. At home, a lot of it gets pretty boring honestly. Funny enough the second half is where most of my favorite segments are, but even then most of those segments really start to overstay their welcome after a while. Now all that being said, I can't really fault the movie too much, it was made at a certain time for a certain medium, that being the theater, and that it doesn't work as well at home isn't so much the movies fault as it is an impossible ability to have foresight. Also, it's still a worthwhile experience. There's something about the way hand-drawn animation looks that's just beautiful. You can see the individual cells here too overlapping, and it's gorgeous in its intricacy. Some segments overstay their welcome, others however are just perfect. The Night on Bald Mountain section is absolute stunning perfection and one of my favorite things Disney animation has ever done. So for me, it's a mixed bag. When I saw this movie years ago, I didn't particularly like it, but even in my child mind I felt something akin to respect for it. I knew, even as a kid, that it was something important movie even if it wasn't a movie that grabbed my attention. Years later, I like it a little bit more, but more or less feel about the same.
  Michael M Super Reviewer
• Jul 02, 2016

  A fascinating experimental film that explores music and imagination, Fantasia is a triumph of vision. Combining the talents of the Walt Disney Studio and the Philadelphia Orchestra, several pieces of classical music are brought to life through a series of animated vignettes. With the aid of animation the evocative nature of music is explored, from the expression of mood to complex storytelling. Surprisingly none of Disney's trademark characters appear (other than Mickey Mouse in the Sorcerer's Apprentice segment). Instead the segments feature nature scenes and animals and fairy tale creatures engaged in frivolity. Most of the animation is quite impressive, but some of it is a little crude and generic. Still, Fantasia is an extraordinarily well-craft and artistic film that celebrates the power of music to express thoughts and feelings.
  Dann M Super Reviewer
• Nov 23, 2015

  It can be hard to remember that at one time Walt Disney's aims for animation were equal parts commercial and artistic success . . . if "Fantasia" (for awhile at least) failed at the first it mostly succeeds at the second. The expository scenes between each animation piece are utterly pointless but they're easy to ignore.
  

  Alec B Super Reviewer
• Aug 27, 2014

  Eight segments of fantastic imagery that stood the test of time with it's music from the Philadelphia Orchestra and Leopold Stowkowski.
  Max G Super Reviewer

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