The Disney Guy Reviews returns with Disney's Concert Feature, Fantasia! Let me know what you guys think below! FACEBOOK: JoeTheDisneyGuy TWITTER: JoeTheDisneyGuy
I actually didn't knew Walt was a little depressed with Fantasia itself, which is a little sad. When I saw Fantasia for the first time I was surprisingly amazed for what I watched. The way how the animation fitted so well on the music, creating a some kind of harmony to it. I also appreciated different animation stories for each music, and when I saw it my view was mostly like this: 1.º scene - The bizarre; 2.º scene - The Nature; 3.º scene - childhood time - Sorcerer Mickey|today - Fucking Mickey mouse trying to be Harry Potter; 4.º scene - Dark version of Land Before Time; 5.º scene - Mystic fantasy creatures; 6.º scene - Animals ballet; 7.º scene (first part)- childhood time - Nightmares for a week|childhood time and today - Fucking Dr. Claw getting dead MAD agents; 7.º scene (second part) - Church in is beauty. This is my all time favorite Disney movie, making me decided to follow the category of arts for my future, and right now I'm an illustrator who wants to test more the animation. Also I hate history so much but when I was on the studying parts of the birth of earth and greek mythology the first thing that came to my head was the images memories from this movie. I think this movie was Walt Disney master piece and if someday someone ask me which Disney movie should be watched first I suggest Fantasia. I know the movie itself it's a little kind of blind and boring but if you are a big appreciator of animation, music and arts (like me) then this movie is best to watch.
It really IS though, in many ways, from the classical orchestral score, to the wonderful and timeless animation. This is what Walt aimed for and the man truly accomplished it in many ways, more than one. He is an icon and legend remembered.
For me when I watched Fantasia the first time I just was getting even more excited when the man who moderates tells what we will see even if it was long it made me even more interested in what will come :)
I liked Fantasia ok as a kid. I remember I always liked the opening with the abstract images, the dancing mushrooms, the flowers and the fairies and the Greek part. But the part I always looked forward to was The Sorcerer's Apprentice because it has Mickey in it. I also remember I would stop and rewind the tape after the Night on Bald Mountain sequence, so yeah, I never saw the Ave Maria as a kid. Now that I'm older I still like the parts I liked as a kid, but the film can drag an awful lot like in the Passage of Spring segment. Anyone who appreciates classical music will enjoy it immensely, as for kids, there may be some parts they'll enjoy. Fantasia is a good film, but not for everybody.
Couldn't agree more. Definitely the highlight is Sorcerer's Apprentice, and I felt that way both as a kid and as an adult, and like I said in the review, I appreciate it more now that I'm older, but I'll still take Beauty and the Beast or Tangled over it any day. Just my opinion
Fantasia made me the animation, classical music, dinosaur, and mythology geek I am today. I always loved watching this as a kid. Now It's my number one favorite Disney film in general. I love it for it's amazing animation, music, and idea of making it feel like your in a concert hall day dreaming. Oh and BTW the Rite of Spring segment of the film is what Walking with Dinosaurs should of been. even if it's a little off on some parts.
It really is unlike anything Disney has ever done before or since, and isn't it crazy how something done almost 75 years ago could better nail something like dinosaurs than something in 2013?
This movie made me love classical music and helped me garner more respect for animation as a whole. This movie was ahead of it's time in showing that animation can be a legitimate art form by telling memorable stories with no dialogue whatsoever. This movie's brilliance may have gone unnoticed in its original run, but Fantasia stands head and shoulders above many films today (not just animated). Now, if only I could get my hands on the Blu-Ray version...
Oh I agree. In an era where animation was still widely considered a children's medium, this changed the face of the genre entirely, both from it's use of storytelling and just it's animation style itself. Certainly a timeless classic
9:51 even though I really shouldn't be laughing at how violent Mickey was behaving to a broom stick I still can't help but laugh at just how silly it can be at times, but if Mickey was literally killing his master with the ax (and thank goodness he's done nothing like that in the final product) then I wouldn't be giggling.
Honestly, I hated this movie as a child because I thought it was boring, as an adult and an artist I can appreciate it a lot more and I find the animation fascinating and beautiful. Defiantly one of my favorite Disney animated films.
Yeah, I was the same way. Never cared for it much at all as a kid, but I definitely can enjoy it more now, partly due to being older and partly due to just being more knowledgable about it and being able to appreciate it more
My brother and I wore out the 1980's rerelease of Fantasia VHS so bad due to how much we loved it. In the end it depends on how you look at music. Music is said to be a story hidden within the notes, and I saw Fantasia as making that invisible story visible.
Aaron Neumann I kinda like that saying. And yeah, I agree. As a kid, wasn't a huge fan of classical music so Fantasia really wasn't my thing. Started playing in bands and now I have an appreciation for the music and enjoy Fantasia better. It's one of the rare movies where music, and not animation, determines whether or not you like it
Here's what would've happened if Walt were still alive (or was brought back to life) with Disney's modern wealth and power: Due to imagination overload, his brain would be so full of ideas it would literally go into temporary shut down (coma) in order to preserve his life while sacrificing consciousness. Luckily, his time "asleep" would be ample time for him to come up with ideas for, I'll say about the next full decade or two, of new films for Disney to produce once he wakes up.
Joe, here's my ranking of the segments of Fantasia, 8. "Night on Bald Mountain" 7. "Tocata and Fugue in D Minor" 6. "Nutcracker Suite" 5. "Dance of the Hours" 4. "Rite of Spring" 3. "Pastoral Symphony" 2. "Ave Maria" And 1. "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" with Mickey Mouse.
I feel like other than Mickey's short, when a story was used, it was more for the background, just to set up the theme of the animation. the Stories, (of the parts that did have story) never felt important because it felt more like an excuse to show great animation to great music. "Art for Art's sake" is a phrase used to describe that art shouldn't need to have a moral/story to it and while Fantasia does have stories, it feels like the Disney movie that was kind of just trying to do that.. just make something Beautiful. I've always loved this movie.
My favorite segments (in no order) would be Toccata and Fugue, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, The Rite of Spring, and Ave Maria. I know that some people said that because The Nutcracker Suite and The Rite of Spring segments weren't faithful to the original stories, that they were butchered. However, I, for one, admire that Disney did something different with the pieces. I think they were good renditions of the songs and the animation went very well with the music.
I haven't exactly seen all of Fantasia but I've listened to the music and saw the segments themselves on RU-vid. I love how unique it is. There aren't many films like it! My favorite segments in the film are Toccata and Fugue, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, and The Rite of Spring. The music and animation are all masterful and the animation still holds up with their modern efforts. I have to say though, Night on Bald Mountain...is the SCARIEST MOMENT IN ANY DISNEY FILM!!! Chernabog's menacing demeanor and grin, the creepy monsters he creates, the atmosphere, the music, the fact that it's essentially Hell, EVERYTHING!!! BTW, I just subbed!
I definitely think that Fantasia's uniqueness is what keeps so many people coming back to it even all these years later. And yeah, Chernabog is one bad dude haha
Hey bro, I remember watching Fantasia when I was a kid. In fact I even have a vhs copy and I was so bored by it. But now as I'm old like you said I appreciate it a lot more for the animation and music working together and being the central focus of the movie. I recently saw it right now again and I loved the first half but then felt like it dragged the act. Fantasia is like Disney version of 2001:Space Odyssey. It's understandable that we might feel bored after a while, because we are very used to movies that have sounds and talks and we are not used at being told a story through music. That's why at first silent movies might get your attention at first but the mind gets tired of listening to music and wants to hear people talk. Great insight of your review by the way and it is definitely a recommendable movie for any film lover.
I watched Fantasia for the 1st time recently. All I knew before hand was that it was several silent stories with classical music and that Micky Mouse and The Devil was in it. I personally loved it, the animation was beautiful and amazingly in sync with the music. Although I'm not an in depth lover of classical music, I loved it and being a music lover and player myself, I can appreciate the knowledge and skill that goes into it. The Sorcerer' Apprentice and the Bald Mountain were the highlights but I loved all the segments since most of them showed subjects that I was already interested in like the beginning of time and greek mythology. Fantastic film. I'd say it may well be my favorite Disney film now. I love many Disney films, but I think Fantasia is totally unique among them. I can totally understand why people would not like it or understand it, but I think it is truly magnificent.
My mom would sit me down with this movie as a toddler to keep me quiet. It was terrifying though. Stokowski seemed dark and villainous in the opening piece. Deems Taylor even creeped me out with how cold and serious he was. That’s not to speak of how scary Yen Sid, the T. rex, Zeus, and the devil were. I would get bored at the Ave Maria 😅 I still think this is Disney’s greatest animation of all time
I've only seen this movie maybe 3 or 4 times that I can recall, and I watch Disney movies all the time. This is the only movie I watch with the remote in hand to fast forward through certain parts. The dialogue between the animated shorts, while informative, constantly brings the film to a screeching halt and is just one lull after another, so these parts I'll fast forward through. Then the abstract scenes, while I don't fast forward through them I will let it play and walk away briefly during it to grab a snack or play with my cats for a little bit. I do enjoy the animated sequences, especially Night on Bald Mountain, but it can feel like quite a commitment to watching them all back to back in a medium of story telling that isn't very common place.
I had this on vhs as a kid and used to fastforward all the way to bald mountain every time. Now I can enjoy the whole film but it does get a little tedious in places
Murdering in cold blood!? (Mickey with axe) Did you *watch* the story? Terrified Mickey couldn't stop the broom bringing excessive water. The chopping was a desperate act - soon proved counterproductive.
I agree with you I’m not crazy about movies that change animation styles and it really bugs me when there’s no consistency in the plot - runtime doesn’t really bug me never was a big deal cause I love to just sit here and watch stuff 😅 I do enjoy stories, though, and music does tell a story regardless of plot, imagination, highlights, this movie, I think❤ it’s definitely on the lower end of my favorite Disney movies, possibly even at the bottom
Personally, Fantasia had basically been a huge part of my childhood, especially with the abstract segments. I don't know why, but I have always enjoyed them. Probably because I am a visual learner, but I don't know. The dancing fish, the dinosaurs and the fairies always wowed me. Last but not least, the Sorcerer's Apprentice never ceases to bore me. Chernabog was scarring though. I used to ask my mom to fast forward that segment. XD
Great video Joe! I saw part of this film on Netflix a few months ago. I like both Sorceror's Apprentice and Bald Mountain. I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on the second film once you get to that one sooner or later.
Over all, I think the movie is a mixed bag for me. I love segments like Sorcerer's Apprentice, Right of Springs, Night on Bald Mountain and Ava Maria to death. Those are some of my all time favourite Disney shorts and are extremely well done. The others? Some I think are just okay. The more abstract ones bored me and made me ask myself, "Why?" like the one where it was just a line on screen for five minutes. It's hard for me to say where it lands over all with me.
"Cold-blooded murderer?" Well, Disney originally wanted the chopping to be FULLY ANIMATED!!! Try to think of how many children would've cried at THAT, compared to what really happened!
I'm going to be frank when it comes to this movie. I grew up with music, so I'm a sucker for it, but what turned me off a little bit was how motherfucking long this film was. I get that it's supposed to be like an orchestra concert, but not even orchestra concerts were this long...at least from my high school and college experience. However, my favorite part of this movie will always and forever be The Sorcerer's Apprentice. I don't know if it's Mickey or not, but if I were to make a better Sorcerer's Apprentice movie, I would. However, don't get me started on Fantasia 2000. That movie I can't stand for shit except for Rhapsody in Blue. Just saying.
Fantasia is an awesome movie, and so is Fantasia 2000. didn't need to have so many celebrities making appearances, sure, but they're not the core of the movie. the music segments are as awesome in Fantasia as are in Fantasia 2000. How can you hate Firebird? :O
I think you summed up why I've never really been into Fantasia. I appreciate it for its technical brilliance but, like you, have always found it quite dull overall as, like you, I like some sequences (including Sorcerer's Apprentice) but not others.
Not 'songs'; works or pieces - small correction. Disney crippled this film's reach due to huge costs to equip theatres, thus limiting their number. What did he expect? Makes me kinda mad in (long) retrospect.
Out of Walt Disney's first five movies (Snow White, Pinocchio, Fantasia, Dumbo and Bambi), Fantasia is unfortunately my least favorite. Before you call my judgement too harsh, let me say what I do like about it. First of all, I do thank this project for keeping Mickey Mouse in popularity. This whole project was started because Walt Disney wanted to bring Mickey Mouse back to greatness, and I say The Sorcerer's Apprentice succeeded. I will also admit that I am impressed with how well the animation gets mixed with the music. In fact, if I wanted to have a favorite project from Fantasia, it would be The Rights of Springs Project. Back in my childhood, I loved dinosaurs. This is the reason for why The Land Before Time is my favorite non-Disney movie, and The Rights of Springs helps me get good memories of both The Land Before Time and its sequels.
Chernabog was what my nightmares were made of as a kid. But I did find every segment visually stunning and the music pieces are top notch. It's too bad you don't care for a film that's essentially a group of shorts glued together but I do completely understand.
i can see where people, like yourself, wouldn't like this film, but i think this is my new favorite movie of all time. every segment (except for maybe The Pastoral Symphony, Beethoven's 6th) works so well, some of them downright breathtaking (also, Dance Of The Hours, hilarious!) Toccata And Fugue In D Minor: 9/10 (not as interesting as the other) The Nutcracker Suite: 10/10 The Sorcerer's Apprentice: 10/10 Rite Of Spring: 9.5/10 (too long) The Pastoral Symphony: 8/10 (none of it really gels as well as it should) Dance Of The Hours: 10/10 A Night On Bald Mountain/Ave Maria: 10/10 that's an average of 9.5/10, though overall i give it a 10/10
I happen to own Fantasia 2000, but even though it's a better movie I couldn't connect with it. Also, the fact that Dracula himself, Bela Lugosi, was the reference for Cherenbog is astonishing, in fact, a vampire being the reference for a demon is crazy.
But my biggest problem with Fantasia is the characters. There is something about the characters that really bothers me. It's not how the characters are animated, and I don't think they distract from the music, IT'S BECAUSE THEY DON'T TALK! One of the things I really like about animation projects is looking at their voice actors. I like to recognize cartoon voices. But when an animation project does not have any talking, it means I can't listen to any voices at all! The fact that I can't listen to the voices I love really affects my chances of enjoying Fantasia, and it makes me question if I can even call it an animation project. To me, animation isn't even animation without voice actors. Yes, the animation itself is the heart of the project, but without voice actors, it just feels incomplete.
+Lydia Ann www.classicalmpr.org/story/2015/11/13/fantasia-bald-mountain-ave-maria There's a brief mention of it there. I actually heard of the story though the commentary on the DVD
To me I think it's a good movie, not the best, but for the animation, music and everything else, it's a good film, and I would watch it again, I agree that the running time is too long, and the way the guy introduce the music before it begins, is annoying, but I still think it's a good film overall.
Yeah, for me it really was the runtime, which was compounded by some segments that I just couldn't get into, but overall, the animation and music are definitely impressive enough to call it a good movie
to be honest with you, i found the movie overrated too. now, before those who love the movie try to cut my privates off, it's better to tell you what i liked about the film, it's the animation and music, it's beautifly drawn and interesting to listen to but what i don't like is the feature length run time and should have been a series of short films. i know it's for bugetary reasons but it just felt too long for me. also, i'm not big into classical music and i'm mostly a metalhead. but that's just my opinion.
Trevor McClanahan they came out on the same year and their animation styles look so identical like they share the same world and they show inappropriate adult content like smoking drinking and nudity and cursing
Sadly, there's yet another racist bit from the movie with the Chinese caricatures of the dancing mushrooms (in the concept art they even had the "fu machu" mustaches). It's kind of sad seeing all the racism and product of its time stuff in old Disney movies you enjoyed as a child, kind of takes away from that good nostalgia feeling. I really enjoy all the research you put into these reviews, Joe! It comes across very well; you make it understandable, and the visual choices keep you interested. I'd much rather listen to you explain the history behind these films than read about it on some Wikipedia article or something. :)
Yeah, unfortunately, the overt racism, or moreso racially insensitive just because, I think, or at least like to think, that none of this was done maliciously, is kind of a staple of the times and was a recurring theme in a lot of films and media for a number of years around this time. And thank you for the kind words! Glad to know that you enjoy my historical ramblings, I like to think I have a little more information than Wikipedia too!
Although I'm more interested in stories with a consistent plot, I loved this film nonetheless. There were so many gorgeous pieces of both music and animation. However I myself did have a few issues with the film. As a Christian I was a bit uncomfortable during the Rite of Spring segment. And of course I didn't like seeing some of the things in the Night on Bald Mountain segment. These complaints however did not ruin the film for me as a whole. I especially liked the Nutcracker Suite, the Pastoral Symphony, & the Dance of the Hours segments. My favorite piece of music however was the Sorcerer's Apprentice. Watching Fantasia was over all a wonderful experience!
Ironically, Christianity is one of the reasons why Rite of Spring had issues. Walt originally wanted to end the movie on a Madonna, but decided that the religious iconography was just too much, so he made it a sunset instead. Probably a solid decision in retrospect
Ash Mcg Although I understand you like the movie overall, I'm curious about the things you didn't like. Why, as a Christian, were you a bit uncomfortable during the Rite of Spring Segment? I'm a Christian as well, and I don't feel uncomfortable at all during it. It might be because I think evolution is true, but still, I don't see how it would make a Christian uncomfortable. The existence of evolution does not require a nonexistence of God, and since we humans, who are flawed, had to inscribe God's word to write the Bible, there is bound to have been some things that were lost in translation. In addition, the story of creation as written in the bible does not necessarily have to be taken literally. Also, why didn't you like seeing some of the things in A Night On Bald Mountain? I realize it may seem Satanic, but that's because it's intended to be. If God hadn't intended for us to see these things, why would he have created them? But, I digress. Just as you can't appreciate the good without knowing the bad, You can't truly appreciate the Ave Maria Piece without seeing A Night On Bald Mountain first. Although A Night on Bald Mountain is at times very dark, the overall purpose of the two pieces is not to emphasize darkness, but to show that in the end, good will always triumph over evil. It's always darkest before the dawn, and this shows that even the most powerful evil creature can be defeated by even the faintest amount of hope, like how Chernobog/Satan was driven away by the simple sound of Church bells and the light of the morning sun.
starkillercloneg Well, I guess we just have different beliefs. I believe in creation, because that's what the Bible teaches, & it's what I grew up with. I'm not entirely sure what you were taught, but I mostly suppose it's because of that. I'm not trying to convince you that your beliefs are wrong or anything, but I believe that our God is powerful enough to create everything in six days. As for Night on Bald Mountain, I understand what you're saying, but I guess a lot of dark things at the very least make me uncomfortable, & that's just me. So, I hope that cleared some things up, trying not to make it too awkward...
Must be a super super super hard time Walt Disney and fellow workers I mean working on two films at the same time and release both of them in 1940 and with WW2 going on that crazy
I first saw Fantasia as a 3-year old, and I was absolutely obsessed. It became the first movie to ever leave a long lasting impact on me. It started my fascination for classical music and dinosaurs. I still think it's one of, if not the, Disney's greatest films. That said, I do think some segments are better than others. The Pastoral symphony segment has some uninteresting parts, and I don't like the colour schemes. The best part by far is still The Rite of Spring.
