The Living Desert (1953)

88% of users liked it
(155 ratings)

The Living Desert was the first feature-length entry in Disney's "True Life Adventure" series. Co-written and narrated by Winston Hibler, the film opens with a close-up glance of percolating desert geysers, with appropriate musical accompaniment. Among the wildlife specimens depicted herein are the… More The Living Desert was the first feature-length entry in Disney's "True Life Adventure" series. Co-written and narrated by Winston Hibler, the film opens with a close-up glance of percolating desert geysers, with appropriate musical accompaniment. Among the wildlife specimens depicted herein are the roadrunner, the chuckwalla, the skunk, the scorpion and the kangaroo-rat. Much of the narration is undercut by lame attempts at humor; however, a battle between a rattlesnake and a tarantula, followed by a contretemps between the rattler and a hawk, are played "straight," and most effectively. Much of the footage in The Living Desert was photographed by N. Paul Kenworthy Jr., as part of his UCLA doctoral thesis. The film was originally released to theatres in a "Disney package," including the live-action short Stormy and the animated featurette {%Ben and Me}. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 9 min.
Directed By: James Algar
Genres: Documentary, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Nov 10, 1953 Wide

No Critic Reviews Found…

Featured Audience Ratings

Matthew Y

The first feature-length documentary of the groundbreaking Disney series "True Life Adventures". The Living Desert focuses of the barren wasteland we think of (or thought of) when we think of deserts and shows that it is teaming with natural life. The series was a smashing… More
The first feature-length documentary of the groundbreaking Disney series "True Life Adventures". The Living Desert focuses of the barren wasteland we think of (or thought of) when we think of deserts and shows that it is teaming with natural life. The series was a smashing success in every way possible, with 10 shorts and 7 features it practically invented the docu-drama sub-genre. It should be noted that the series was discovered in 1982 to have some accounts of animal cruelty and a few "faked" nature scenes (although I think The Living Desert is pretty legit, when I think of the fakey ones I think of Jungle Cats or Perri). Politics aside this series simple screams to be watched. It can't compete with the HD quality of Planet Earth but it is still a fabulous watch today and many episodes are incredibly insightful. If you can get your hands on the four volume "reel" collection I highly recommend it.
Anthony V

A Disney documentary with moments of beauty and humor.

Cast

Winston Hibler

Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!

Discover movies your friends are watching
Keep track of what you want to see
Add your reviews to your Timeline

Get Started

The Living Desert (1953)

No Critic Reviews Found…

Featured Audience Ratings

Matthew Y

Anthony V

Cast

Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!