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Fantasia (Walt Disney's Masterpiece) [VHS]

Fantasia (Walt Disney's Masterpiece) [VHS]

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Directors: Ben Sharpsteen, Bill Roberts, Ford Beebe, Hamilton Luske, James Algar
Actors: Leopold Stokowski, Deems Taylor, Julietta Novis, Corey Burton, Walt Disney
Studio: Walt Disney Home Video

List Price: $24.99
Buy Used: $0.01
You Save: $24.98 (100%)



New (59) Used (379) Collectible (46) from $0.01

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars 270 reviews

Format: Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, Ntsc, Dolby
Rating: G (General Audience)
Media: VHS Tape
Discs: 1
Running Time: 120 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 5.5 x 1.3

ISBN: 6302158095
UPC: 717951132031
EAN: 9786302158090

Theatrical Release Date: January 6, 1942
Release Date: September 15, 1992
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Similar Items:

  • Fantasia 2000
  • Bambi (2-Disc Special Platinum Edition)
  • Pinocchio (Two-Disc 70th Anniversary Platinum Edition)
  • Walt Disney's Fantasia: Remastered Original Soundtrack Edition
  • Lady and the Tramp (50th Anniversary Edition)

Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
WALT DISNEY'S MASTERPIECE

Amazon.com essential video
Along with Fantasia and Fantasia 2000, the anthology set contains a third disc that examines a segment of both movies in detail. Each segment has an introduction that has experts (including Leonard Maltin), producer Roy E. Disney, or the animators setting up the piece's history. Notes on the music and dozens of design photos are included on all the segments, although others offer more intriguing features. Abandoned animation is shown on many segments, as are a few behind-the-scenes shorts; the most intriguing are experts from Walt Disney's hosted documentaries on how his company made movies. As for the photos, they are awkwardly catalogued and only the most patient of viewers would want to look at all of them. In some segments, though, these images are entertainingly produced as a "story reel," presenting these images--rough animation, sketches, pastel paintings--with the musical accompaniment. For those looking for a more well-rounded view of the films, the two one-hour documentaries on each film's disc lay the groundwork, but none of the anthology looks at how the first film was seen through the years or gives time to anyone who wasn't gung-ho about every element of the films. There is hardly a mention of embarrassing stereotypes that were matted (and still are) out of the "Pastoral" segment, or the intriguing aspect of the film as a '60s icon for the ultimate head-trip. Disney does let their guard down to show sequences that were being readied in 1940 for future editions (including a recently restored short scored to "Clair de Lune"). Most tantalizing is a look at how the special effects were done in the original film. The guide is a scrapbook that one of the technicians kept and was discovered only in 1990. Fans can only hope a reproduction will be made available someday. --Doug Thomas


Customer Reviews:   Read 265 more reviews...

4 out of 5 stars Can't wait to get it.   July 27, 2010
Bandman56
I ordered this classic for use in a music appreciation class. I hope to have it in.before school begins.


3 out of 5 stars I wish my VHS still worked   July 11, 2010
Local Shut-In
The beauty of Fantasia is as immortalized as we can at present have it. However, this version is an unfortunate possessor of the ultra-close-up moment during the Pastoral scene. This distorts the image and makes it very grainy, hindering the viewing experience in such a startling manner that it actually cast a shadow over what has traditionally been one of my favorite portions. It is important to note that the tampering was done to cover/remove racially inappropriate material, but their solution left me wanting. I'm a much bigger fan of the "roving foliage" technique, as, while obvious and hilarious when you notice it, it does not burden the skill and beauty of the animation. Oddly enough, they used both techniques in this version, and I'm not certain why. Sticking to one would have been far more appropriate.


5 out of 5 stars Musical Treat and Delightfully Animated   July 6, 2010
Lisa H.
It is not a movie but several mini series that are delightfully animated to instrumental classical music. It has some information provided by a conductor in the beginning before each mini musical treat. The pictures/animation roll from one object or character into the next. It definetely sparks the senses. My 5 year old wants to watch it often. I bought it because we are going to Disney World soon and we wanted to be able to associate with the Socerer's Apprentice (a mini animated treat with Mickey mouse) since he is themed in Disney at the All Star Movies Hotel and during Fantasmic Show in the Park!


5 out of 5 stars Hey, before reading these reviews   July 1, 2010
Mary Sheeran
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Most of these reviews refer to the 2000 release of Fantasia. THE VHS IS FROM 1992 and does have the voice of Deems Taylor, etc. Amazon has been sloppy about putting all the Fantasia reviews together. Most of the reviews obviously refer to "discs". This version is a tape. I have the tape; Deems is on it. Why Disney didn't just put this on DVD is beyond me.


4 out of 5 stars Disney Artistry at Its Peak   May 26, 2010
Scott T. Rivers (Los Angeles, CA USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

"Fantasia" (1940) includes some of the finest moments in animation history, yet proved a critical and financial disaster when first released. In 1990, the film's original Leopold Stokowski soundtrack was fully restored along with a pristine 35mm master print. As a result, Walt Disney's once-in-a-lifetime achievement looks and sounds terrific - particularly in the segments of Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite," Ponchielli's "The Dance of the Hours" and Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" that blend classical music with seamless animation. In terms of sheer visual brilliance, nothing beats Disney's rendition of Moussorgsky's "Night on Bald Mountain" and Dukas' "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" (perhaps the best Mickey Mouse cartoon ever produced). Equally impressive is the abstract experimentation of Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor" based on the work of artist Oskar Fischinger. As long as Disney ventured into new and challenging directions, "Fantasia" maintained the sophisticated conception of an animated symphony. Unfortunately, when he reverted back to the sappy Disney formula, his "Concert Feature" suffered accordingly. The appalling interpretation of Beethoven's "Pastoral Symphony" (with its ludicrous centaurs) must rank among Disney's worst efforts and represents the film's nadir. Though beautifully detailed, the anti-climactic finale of Schubert's "Ave Maria" ends the ambitious production on a rather limp note. Despite occasional missteps, "Fantasia" represents the Disney studio at the peak of its artistic powers. The best segments inspire awe and wonderment unlike any animated feature.