Cheap Fantasia (60th Anniversary Special Edition) (DVD) (Leopold Stokowski) (T. Hee, Norman Ferguson, Wilfred Jackson, Ben Sharpsteen, Ford Beebe, Jim Handley, Paul Satterfield, Hamilton Luske, James Algar) Price

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Customer Reviews of Fantasia (60th Anniversary Special Edition)

My anticipation has exceeded the actual product in some ways. After spending literally hours searching through the rich and excellent "Ultimate Toy Box: Toy Story and Toy Story 2", a bar had been set by that release. In my fair opinion, Fantasia strives towards that, but doesn't quite reach it. While Pixar seems to provide the public with what it wants in a DVD release, Disney still seems to struggle with giving away everything, making a good release, but not extraordinary, as the Fantasia series demands. After all, it's Disney who still proudly lists as an extra feature item on DVDs, "decorative artwork on DVD". Please.

Don't get me wrong, this set is loaded with goodies. Outtakes from the originial, interviews with the animators, and running commentaries all add to the enjoyment of the movies. I spent more time with the actual movie DVDs then with the supplmental disc, which I found a bit lacking and uninteresting in a way. My favorite segment in 2000 was the "Rhapsody in Blue", and was fascinated with the development and story behind it, but cannot imagine returning to view that again as I have with other DVDs.

A longtime Disney fan, I probably come to expect more from this innovative company than the average consumer, thus the basis of my review. But I do believe they can give the public more with their DVD releases, which would only aid us in falling in love with their movies more.

Fantasia Goes 3
The Walt Disney's largest set with the most features is now avaible from Disney DVD, The Fantasia Anthology. Included on 3 discs, it includes the original "Fantasia" and the long awaited sequel "Fantasia 2000." I would like to now give you a brief tour of the entire set. I will give you each individual feature. Disc 1 includes the original Fantasia complete with an intermission and full narration by Deems Taylor. These have not been included in the film since it's debut. There are also two audio commentaries. One by Roy Disney, Conductor James Levine, John Canemaker, and Scott McQueen. the second commentary is by the person who made this movie a possibility, Walt Disney himself. This commentary is assembled from rare archival recordings by Walt himself. Each recording is presented by Canemaker. There is also a Making of Walt Disney's Fantasia featurette and is 46 min. in legnth. In set up, you will find in audio options, DTS and Dolby Digital. In Subtitles, you will find French and English. The second disc in the set includes Fantasia 2000. The sequel that Walt wanted to make all his life but didn't. So they made it and it made it's theatrical debut last year. There is the new Fantasia with celebrity host introductions. They have a beautiful opening sequence. And there are seven entirely new pieces and one classic returning favorite. There are also two audio commentaries. The first one includes Executive Producer Roy Disney, Producer Don Ernst, and Conductor James Levine. The second features the art and sequence directors on the film. It also includes guest apperances with Mickey and Donald. There is a Making of Disney's Fantasia 2000 featurette, 48 minutes, which you could learn the history of Fantasia 2000. More than that. There is a Roy Disney intro, Animated Short "Toot, Whistle, Plunk, and Boom," animated short "Melody," and showcase program featuring highlights from the film. For set up, there is French Dolby Digital, English Dolby Digital, and English DTS. For subtitles, there is French and English. The final disc includes the making of both Fantasia films. A striking introduction and beautiful menus decorate. In the Fantasia section, they take you to each of the eight sequences: Toccata and Fuege, Nutcracker Suite, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Rite of Spring, The Pastoral Symphony, Dance of the Hours, Night on Bald Mountain, and Ave Maria plus the Interstials. Each section includes an Introduction, still galleries, and about the music. Some have the Walt Disney T.V. show excerpts from the show named "Disneyland." There are unused concepts and clips from the film too. In more features at Fantasia, you will find publicity, with posters, trailers, and the programs. At biographies, you may read about the filmakers. A featurette named "Special Effects of Fantasia" is avaible there. There is finally "The Fantasia That Never Was" section. It included in introduction and had sequences Walt was going to put in a future Fantasia. Each includes a still gallery. At each of the eight sequences of Fantasia 2000, we have a featurette on the making, a couple of galleries, and about the music. Most of them have other featurettes, production progression demos, split screen comparisons, and deleted sequences of concepts. The sequences are The Interstials, Symphony #5, Pines of Rome, Rhapsody in Blue, Piano Concerto #2 Allegro Opus 102 The Steadfast Tin Soldier, Carnival of the Animals finale, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Pomp and Circumstance Marches 1,2,3, and 4, and Firebird Suite 1919 version. At more features, there are biographies, a mixing demonstration, and theatrical trailers, posters, and T.V. spots. Also, there is a letter by Roy Disney in the package. Get this set and I assure you will not be dissapointed. I hope you enjoy "The Fantasia Anthology Collector's Set."

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.
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.