FANTASIA (Theatrical Release USA 1940)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Starsìììì

Fantasia ushered in an entirely new way to enjoy music while demonstrating Disney Studios early stage, high level artistic endeavors. The imaginative journeys this film opens to the viewer are endless. The vast scope of this 8-segment film cannot be captured in words alone. It performs as a visual prophecy of what Disney would become to the world as he gradually drew unlimitedly talented people into his creative circle.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Additional Thanks

Best Work Effort for Directors Norman Ferguson, James Algar, Samuel Armstrong, Ford Beebe, Jr., Jim Handley, T. Hee, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske, Bill Roberts, and Paul Satterfield. Thank you to Producers Walt Disney and Ben Sharpsteen for making the film possible. Additional cast includes: Violinist Paul J. Smith, Conductor Leopold Stokowski, Narrators Deems Taylor and Corey Burton, Percussionist James McDonald, Singer Julietta Novis, and Mickey Mouse (voiced by Walt Disney).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This first film creates a masterful stream of music and animation from the early days of animated creativity. One of the best films of that era that deserves a standing ovation and clapping for an extended period of time, Bravo! Encore! A film like no other.   

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers