Remember watching Fantasia on an old VHS tape? Times have changed from when Fantasia was first released in the 1940s and was considered a failure. It regained popularity in the 1960s when it was re-released in the theaters. Then it found a permanent place in our lives when it was released on video. This week, Disney Studios released the Fantasia/Fantasia 2000 blu-ray and DVD combo pack. Is it possible to restore seventy year-old magic?
Yes, the magic of blu-ray has met the magic of Disney. Fantasia is given a fresh coat of paint: the color is, well, fantastic. The restoration of the old footage was not taken lightly. There are little tidbits that really stand out, like the ice skating segment and the nutcracker suite, newly re-mastered with a surreal quality. The segments with live action footage (remember the conductor and the orchestra?) are clear and crisp. The real reason to buy it on blu-ray is the sound quality. It is presented in 7.1 DTS-HD-Master Audio. The clarity of the Philadelphia Orchestra rivals sitting in a concert hall. The music immerses the viewer and propels the animation on a journey throughout the film. Fantasia 2000, being more recent, is just as fabulous, and the sound is amazing. The footage flows well from DVD to blu-ray.
The combo pack comes with two DVDs, two blu-rays, and Disney View, which is Disney’s method of converting the 4:3 to wide screen by creating a Disney artwork border. This is a nice feature that keeps you from losing the sense of engagement in the film. There is a short, behind-the-scenes feature on the Disney Family Museum, which seems like a pilgrimage for any true Walt Disney fan. The package also includes a documentary on the recent discovery of The Schultheis notebook, which reveals the secrets behind Fantasia. Finally, it also includes an interactive art gallery and additional commentaries for any fan.
Price $27.99