Fantasia (1940)

98% of critics liked it
(47 reviews)
77% of users liked it
(104,499 ratings)

Fantasia, Walt Disney's animated masterpiece of the 1940s, grew from a short-subject cartoon picturization of the Paul Dukas musical piece The Sorcerer's Apprentice. Mickey Mouse was starred in this eight-minute effort, while the orchestra was under the direction of Leopold Stokowski. Disney and… More Fantasia, Walt Disney's animated masterpiece of the 1940s, grew from a short-subject cartoon picturization of the Paul Dukas musical piece The Sorcerer's Apprentice. Mickey Mouse was starred in this eight-minute effort, while the orchestra was under the direction of Leopold Stokowski. Disney and Stokowski eventually decided that the notion of marrying classical music with animation was too good to confine to a mere short subject; thus the notion was expanded into a two-hour feature, incorporating seven musical selections and a bridging narration by music critic Deems Taylor. The first piece, Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor", was used to underscore a series of abstract images. The next selection, Tschiakovsky's "Nutcracker Suite", is performed by dancing wood-sprites, mushrooms, flowers, goldfish, thistles, milkweeds and frost fairies. The Mickey Mouse version of "Sorcerer's Apprentice" is next, followed by Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring", which serves as leitmotif for the story of the creation of the world, replete with dinosaurs and volcanoes. After a brief jam session involving the live-action musicians comes Beethoven's "Pastorale Symphony", enacted against a Greek-mythology tapestry by centaurs, unicorns, cupids and a besotted Bacchus. Ponchielli's "Dance of the Hours" is performed by a Corps de Ballet consisting of hippos, ostriches and alligators. The program comes to a conclusion with a fearsome visualization of Mussorgsky's "Night on Bald Mountain", dominated by the black god Tchernobog (referred to in the pencil tests as "Yensid", which is guess-what spelled backwards); this study of the "sacred and profane" segues into a reverent rendition of Schubert's "Ave Maria". Originally, Debussy's "Clair de Lune" was part of the film, but was cut from the final release print; also cut, due to budgetary considerations, was Disney's intention of issuing an annual "update" of Fantasia with new musical highlights and animated sequences. A box-office disappointment upon its first release (due partly to Disney's notion of releasing the film in an early stereophonic-sound process which few theatres could accommodate), Fantasia eventually recouped its cost in its many reissues. For one of the return engagements, the film was retitled Fantasia Will Amaze-ya, while the 1963 reissue saw the film "squashed" to conform with the Cinemascope aspect ratio. Other re-releases pruned the picture from 120 to 88 minutes, and in 1983, Disney redistributed the film with newly orchestrated music and Tim Matheson replacing Deems Taylor as narrator. Once and for all, a restored Fantasia was made available to filmgoers in 1990. A sequel, Fantasia 2000, was released in theaters in 1999. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 56 min.
Directed By: James Algar, Ford Beebe
Written By: Elmer Plummer, Otto Englander, Webb Smith, Erdman Penner, Joseph Sabo
Genres: Animation, Kids & Family, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Nov 13, 1940 Wide
On DVD: Nov 1, 1991
Studio: Walt Disney Productions

Critic Reviews

, TIME Magazine
Critics may deplore Disney's lapses of taste, but he trips, Mickey-like, into an art form that immortals from Aeschylus to Richard Wagner have always dreamed of.
John C. Flinn Sr., Variety
There is something in Fantasia for every taste.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
The concept and some of the episodes are tainted with kitsch, but there's no other animated film with its scope and ambition.
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
Fantasia is simply terrific -- as terrific as anything that has ever happened on a screen.
Henry Allen, Washington Post
This is animation in every sense of the word, as if you are seeing the world through the eyes of your tree-worshipping ancestors.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Throughout Fantasia, Disney pushes the edges of the envelope.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
[Disney's] most personal and grandest vision. Watching the movie again proves that, of course, it's not a chore. It's a pleasure.
Paul Trandahl, Common Sense Media
Breathtaking animation feat -- with some creepy visuals.
Ryan Cracknell, Movie Views
Despite a couple of uneven parts that may try the patience of some, the whole of Fantasia is a marvel.
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews
Though Fantasia didn't perform as well as Walt Disney had hoped, it remains a testament to his exceptional cinematic genius. [Blu-ray]
Eric Henderson, Slant Magazine
The bonus features, or lack thereof, are a bummer, but Fantasia and especially its eager-to-please stepchild Fantasia 2000 have never looked better.
R. L. Shaffer, IGN DVD
A symphony of sound, animation and unbridled Disney spirit.
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
At the time of its release, it was probably the boldest, most experimental production to come out of Hollywood, which is why it is not terribly surprising that it was Disney's biggest commercial failure.
Jason Best, Movie Talk
Give me the ostriches in ballet shoes and the hippos in tutus ... over the cute fauns and unicorns frolicking in a pastel landscape ... any day.
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
Ribboned with flaws both impossibly minor and embarrassingly large, but it surely must count as one of the most visually stunning American movies ever made.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
The most ambitious animated feature ever to come out of the Disney studios...
, Empire Magazine
This is a very patchy affair -- while some of the animated pieces work, others come across as downright insane.
, Film4
The ambitious and uneven eight-part marriage of classical music and animation has become among the most popular of Walt Disney's classics.

Read all 18 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jeff "

This film is one of the definitive classics in Disney's catalogue, along with Disney's flagship film, Snow White, Fantasia is the best film in animation history and everyone who's familiar with Disney owes it to themselves to check this one out. Fantasia is a terrific… More
This film is one of the definitive classics in Disney's catalogue, along with Disney's flagship film, Snow White, Fantasia is the best film in animation history and everyone who's familiar with Disney owes it to themselves to check this one out. Fantasia is a terrific musical that has definitely stood the test of time. This is a masterwork of animation with brilliant stories and a great cast of talented voice actors. Of all Disney films, Fantasia has had a long lasting impact on me. The sheer importance of this film in the cinematic medium is astounding. This is a brilliant film from start to finish and will stay with you for many years to come. I absolutely loved this film, thought it was one of the finest musical films ever put on film and if you want THE musical film, then this is the film to watch. Fantasia is simply brilliant. This is a definite childhood classic, a film that has stood the test of time. This is yet another memorable Disney classic that any real film buff and child should see. A brilliant piece of cinema history, Fantasia is a wonderful viewing experience, one that will please children as much as adults. A definite must see. This is a film that is spectacular and truly one that will stay with you. Disney has done it again. Sure Snow White is Disney's masterwork, but Fantasia elevated the studios potential for effective storytelling even further. This is simply put a phenomenal film that every film fan should see.
Christopher H

One of the most unique and most experimental movie in the Disney filmography. The combination of memorable animated skits with a great classical musical score results in a film that is simply breath-taking.
Carlos M

This classic musical animation is undeniably beautiful and well made, a splendorous treat for the eyes and ears. Even so, it is also too artistic for its own good, remaining cold and distant. Stravinsky and the evolution? Seriously, I cannot imagine any child staying awake during the… More
This classic musical animation is undeniably beautiful and well made, a splendorous treat for the eyes and ears. Even so, it is also too artistic for its own good, remaining cold and distant. Stravinsky and the evolution? Seriously, I cannot imagine any child staying awake during the entire film - nor most grown-ups.
Alexander D

The best animated musical ever.
Michael E

this movie defines what classic means in the terms of disney
Jacob E

This IS my childhood and my favorite film of all time. I don't recommend watching it to all people (most find it boring if they watch it for the first time when they are older), but if you have any interest in animation whatsoever than give this a shot.
AJ V

Some people may find this movie to be boring because there is little to no dialogue, and it doesn't have much of a story. I love it. The music accompanies the animation in such a beautiful way, and the animation is so cool, the part with the dragon is my favourite, the part… More
Some people may find this movie to be boring because there is little to no dialogue, and it doesn't have much of a story. I love it. The music accompanies the animation in such a beautiful way, and the animation is so cool, the part with the dragon is my favourite, the part with Mickey and the broomsticks is the most memorable scene, though. If you want to relax and listen to music while watching something, this is a fantastic movie.
Chris W

Enjoyable, intellectual, thought-provoking, and, for the stoner crowd, very trippy visuals and atmosphere. This is one ofthe coolest and most unique movies out there.
Jeremy S

The Disney Triumphant masterpiece. Each of the eight segments are genius giving new life to the classical greats. The Sorceror's Apprentice with micky, The Nutcracker, Waltz of the flowers and so much more.
Conner R

The most artistic Disney has ever gotten. It is visually stunning, delivering a truly bizarre series of stories that are all effective in their own way. It can be a lot more dark than a lot of the other animated movies of the time and I really applaud them for doing that.
Jason O

What do you get when a very talented orchestra combines with a brilliant idea for a film? You get a Disney masterpiece of course. "Fantasia" isn't at all like the typical film from Walt Disney. A live orchestra plays several familiar music tunes throughout the two hours… More
What do you get when a very talented orchestra combines with a brilliant idea for a film? You get a Disney masterpiece of course. "Fantasia" isn't at all like the typical film from Walt Disney. A live orchestra plays several familiar music tunes throughout the two hours of running time, while at the same time, you get to watch animated cartoons that enact with the music. The orchestra has a lot of great instruments ready to play such as percussions, drums, harps, horns, and many more. Some of the cartoons and music are just there to make up pictures like you might picture in your mind while simply listening to the music, and others tell a story while music plays in the background. For example, you'll see Mickey Mouse star in an unforgettable cartoon where Mickey serves as The Sorcerer's Apprentice, which is my favorite part of "Fantasia." Another good example is when the conductor tells you to imagine what it would be like if you were in outer space looking at a desolate planet called earth. Right after he tells you that, the orchestra starts playing and then the cartoon starts out in outer space, dinosaurs eventually appear, and then from there, I'll let you find out the rest that "Fantasia" has in store. I'll admit, I'm not the biggest fan of orchestras or music without the aid of singing, but I did like most of the music in "Fantasia" and the cartoons were interesting to watch. And in my opinion, the idea of combining great orchestra music with live-action cartoons was brilliant, especially for the time that this film was made. Even if you're not a huge fan of instrumental music or even cartoons, I recommend giving "Fantasia" a try....you just might be impressed. I know I was! NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2001. Actually, I was being nice that day. I like Fantasia and it's definitely a one of a kind, which I always appreciate, but it's never been one of the Disney films I thought the most of.
Jennifer D

Fantastic concept.
John H

Walt Disney's most brilliant epic of six symphonic stories imagined up in color for the world to drown in. A magical majestic not to be ignored, for this blend of realism will go on to be remembered for a Sun's eternity.
Tim S

Walt Disney's second finest animated film, right behind Snow White.
Michael G

My favorite Disney movie. You can just tune out and watch so next to no thought is required. Not that that's the case with most Disney movies of the era, but still. Watching it again after not seeing Fantasia in several years tells me it's not as great as I'd originally… More
My favorite Disney movie. You can just tune out and watch so next to no thought is required. Not that that's the case with most Disney movies of the era, but still. Watching it again after not seeing Fantasia in several years tells me it's not as great as I'd originally surmised, but its 40s eye candy through a medium which at the time was new and exciting. Damn great stuff regardless. I wish Disney did more of this back in the day.
Curtis L

Pretty great stuff. I like the flying unicorn part. Music was great and full of animation Disney wouldn't dare touch anymore.
Candy R

Fab animation and music.
William S

Most of the segments are astonishing and others so bad you want to scream!
Lafe F

It's so hard to believe that something this advanced could be put on film back in 1940. Disney's most-magical animated movie. It's a collection of animated vignettes for classical music pieces. It's a magical nighttime concert with bursting colors and images.… More
It's so hard to believe that something this advanced could be put on film back in 1940. Disney's most-magical animated movie. It's a collection of animated vignettes for classical music pieces. It's a magical nighttime concert with bursting colors and images. There's a memorable introduction to the entire orchestra, which is used as a framing device between the pieces. It's a bit dorky, but once they started playing "Tocatta & Fuge in D Minor" with the abstract shapes and colors, I was mesmerized. "The Nutcracker Suite" with the dancing flowers was art and music perfectly combined; a joy to behold. The "Rite of Spring"dinosaur segment was long and boring; they could've taken it out entirely and nobody would mind; I often fast-forward through this one. "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" with Mickey Mouse was classic stuff which fit the music very well. "The Pastoral Symphony" with the prancing flying horses and centaurs, gave meaning to the "Fantasia" title. There was plenty of humour and happenings. "Dance of the Hours" had the dancing Hippos, Elephants and Alligators, was a nice wake-me-up scene after things had gotten slow. Great animation; almost as frantic as a Looney Tunes short! "Night on Bald Mountain" was powerful, ominous and scary; a good Disney Halloween treat! "Ave Maria", which followed, was peaceful and heavenly; but lame animation on the candle procession. It's a long movie, and a lot to ask kids to sit through. It's a perfect remedy for those who can't sleep.
Rachel F

Disney must see.