| Fantasia (Special 60th Anniversary Edition) | 
 enlarge | Directors: James Algar, Samuel Armstrong, Ford I. Beebe
Actors: Leopold Stokowski, Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, Walt Disney, Deems Taylor, Mickey Mouse
Studio: Walt Disney Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $29.99
Buy Used: $19.35
You Save: $10.64 (35%)
New (3) Used (29) from $19.35
Avg. Customer Rating:  214 reviews
Sales Rank: 753
Format: Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, Dts Surround Sound, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: G (General Audience)
Running Time: 120 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Picture Format: Pan & Scan
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.4 x 0.6
ISBN: 0788821172
UPC: 717951004611
EAN: 9780788821172
ASIN: B00003CX9W
Theatrical Release Date: 1940
Release Date: November 14, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Expedited shipping is not available for this item.
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com essential video
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
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| Customer Reviews: Read 209 more reviews...
 A Blissful Experience January 3, 2009
This video was thoroughly enjoyable. The music is such an experience when combined with Disney's animations. I find myself being in a happier disposition when watching this DVD. I would recommend it.
Turned my into a musical prodigy December 26, 2008
I'm not sure about this EXACT VHS tape on here, but I watched the original Fantasia growing up (I'm 21 now) and I turned into a music prodigy.
I watched it every day, sometimes twice, from age 2 until I was about 11 or so. I was obsessed with the music, I loved it, and now that I look back, I have a theory that when you see rhythm paired with colors like this, it naturally teaches you rhythm.
Compare this to the Baby Einstein bull..really compare them (it's not hard)
Baby Einstein music is dumbed down...beautiful masterpieces changed completely!! I DON'T GET IT.
Fantasia incorporates completely original beautiful classical masterpieces from the world's best composers.and pairs it with exactly matched cartoon rhythms...
Growing up, I naturally started playing piano well, it just "made sense." I was able to play commercial tunes on the piano without even thinking. I then started drums, violin and guitar. No problem.
I was always #1, always first chair, always understood, complex rhythms, etc etc.
I made an all-city high school band when I was in middle school..and also gave lessons to other students in the high school band.
I could keep going but it's too much to read.
Fantasia is an amazing amazing amazing movie and concept.
Please show this movie to your kids every day!!
If your kid can hum tunes to Bach, Mozart, etc...he or she will be smart. It just works that way.
Trust me.
 confusing information December 12, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
1st of all I did not buy this in August but in November. Wasn't aware that the delivery date would be January 2009 till I searched 'state of order'. (could have missed this at time of ordering?) But when I wrote to seller stating it was a Xmas gift, I got a quick reply and the item arrived a few days after. Acceptable but not great condition especially for the price.
Thanks.
 DO NOT BUY THIS DVD!! December 1, 2008
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
this is not the original version on vhs or laser disc, you will be diasppointed
Disney's Greatest Film September 30, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I have to admit, I'm an avid listener of classical music. So it's a small wonder why Disney's Fantasia is one of my favorite films. Every music sequence is pure gold (except maybe the Pastoral sequence).
Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by Johann Sebastian Bach = My second favorite sequence, it is a mixture of abstract colors & images, live action orchestral playing, and Stokowski's acclaimed orchestration of Bach's organ music.
Nutcracker Suite by Peter Illich Tchaikovsky = Although I'm not a fan of Tchaikovsky's ballet music, this one is very good and entertaining. The dancing of the fairies and flowers and mushrooms make for a heck of a good time for the whole family.
The Sorcerer's Apprentice by Paul Dukas = This is probably the most exciting rendition of Dukas's masterpiece I've ever heard (even though a few minutes of music has been cut out of it). Mickey the apprentice dreams of being a powerful sorcerer, so he dons the hat of his master, and lets loose his magic. But, of course, no one controls literally everything that is created . . .
Le Sacre du Printemps (The Rite of Spring) by Igor Stravinsky = This is my 3rd favorite out of all of them for two reasons. One is that Stravinsky is one of my all-time favorite composers, and two, The Rite of Spring is one of my all-time favorite pieces. Too bad that a mere ten minutes has been cut in order to save time. Dinosaurs, volcanoes, and earthquakes do seem to fit Stravinsky's music a bit, that I can tell you.
Symphony No. 6 "Pastoral" by Ludwig van Beethoven = This is probably the weakest of all the sequences. It's too cartoony, too bombastic, too cheery, and to many minutes of music have been cut out sadly. The storm scene is a nice touch, though.
Dance of the Hours by Amilcare Ponchielli = Gorgeous and downright hilarious. If you don't think hippo and ostrich ballet dancers is funny, then something is wrong with you.
A Night on Bald Mountain by Modest Mussorgsky/Ave Maria by Franz Schubert = Ah yes. My No. 1 favorite out of all of them. This didn't scare me as a kid for some reason. Chernobog is as creepy as The Horned King from "The Black Cauldron", and the demonic and ghostly dancing was (and still is) way ahead of its time. The last five minutes is beautiful and ethereal = they don't make them like they used to.
Grade: A
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