Fantasia (1940 film)

Fantasia is a 1940 American animated anthology film produced by Walt Disney and released by Walt Disney Productions. It is groundbreaking for its concept of pairing animated segments with classical music selections.

The film is divided into eight distinct segments, each featuring a different piece of classical music conducted by Leopold Stokowski. These segments are:

• Toccata and Fugue in D Minor (Johann Sebastian Bach): An abstract animation interpreting Bach's music.
• The Nutcracker Suite (Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky): A depiction of the changing seasons through various animated scenes featuring fairies, mushrooms, flowers, and fish.
• The Sorcerer's Apprentice (Paul Dukas): Based on Goethe's poem, this segment features Mickey Mouse as the apprentice of a powerful sorcerer, getting himself into trouble with enchanted brooms.
• Rite of Spring (Igor Stravinsky): An abstract animation depicting the Earth's geological formation and the age of dinosaurs.
• Intermission/Meet the Soundtrack: A brief intermission featuring a demonstration of the animated sound.
• The Pastoral Symphony (Ludwig van Beethoven): A vision of mythological Greece, featuring centaurs, fauns, cupids, and other creatures.
• Dance of the Hours (Amilcare Ponchielli): A comic ballet featuring ostriches, hippopotamuses, elephants, and alligators.
• Night on Bald Mountain (Modest Mussorgsky) / Ave Maria (Franz Schubert): A depiction of a demonic gathering on Bald Mountain, contrasted with a serene procession of worshippers at dawn.

Fantasia was initially a commercial failure, largely due to its high production cost and the outbreak of World War II, which limited its distribution. However, it gained popularity through subsequent re-releases and is now considered a classic of animation and a significant achievement in cinematic art. It is known for its innovative combination of animation and music, and its visual interpretations of abstract and classical compositions. The film continues to be celebrated for its artistry, ambition, and influence on animation.