Favorite Segment From Fantasia (Minus The Sorcerer's Apprentice)

[Sctble]

I figured it wouldn't be fair to include The Sorcerer's Apprentice in this poll-discussion, as it's the headliner of the film and would be an obvious favorite among most.

So of the remaining segments in 1940's Fantasia, which one stands out as your favorite? Is it because of the story and characters, or the orchestral arrangement? Or a little of both?
The choices:

Toccata And Fugue

The Nutcracker Suite

Rite Of Spring

The Pastoral Symphony

Dance Of The Hours

Night On Bald Mountain - Ave Maria

 

[Sctble]

For me, it's a close choice between Bald Mountain and Rite of Spring (the dinosaurs). While I find the music of Bald Mountain to be more powerful, I like the dino/early Earth segment overall a little bit more. From start to finish it's my favorite sequence in the entire movie.

 

[unmitigated disaster]

The Pastoral Symphony although the scene with the sound inching out on stage is my real favorite.

 

[Sctble]

Almost a full day later, and we have 4 votes. I presume this is a really unpopular film, or people love it strictly for Sorcerer Mickey.

 

[unmitigated disaster]

Almost a full day later, and we have 4 votes. I presume this is a really unpopular film, or people love it strictly for Sorcerer Mickey.

It's actually my least favorite part of the movie.

**Fantasia** was rereleased in the theaters when I was 7 or so. My father took us the first night because he'd loved it as a kid when it was first released.

 

[Sctble]

**Fantasia** was rereleased in the theaters when I was 7 or so. My father took us the first night because he'd loved it as a kid when it was first released.

That's really neat you got to see it on the big screen. I was introduced to the movie in it's entirety via VHS. Had seen snippets of it here and there on 80's Disney Channel specials. Have considered it a top-10, maybe even top-5 favorite animated feature. Was fortunate to see the follow-up, Fantasia 2000 on IMAX screen when it first came out. Nowhere near the original, but still has it's charms.

 

[unmitigated disaster]

That's really neat you got to see it on the big screen opening night. I was introduced to the movie in it's entirety via VHS. Had seen snippets of it here and there on 80's Disney Channel specials. Have considered it a top-10, maybe even top-5 favorite animated feature. Was fortunate to see the follow-up, Fantasia 2000 on IMAX screen when it first came out. Nowhere near the original, but still has it's charms.

They used to rerelease the animated movies about every 7 years or so on the big screen.

Opening night wasn't much - this was Wisconsin. I don't think they did anything.

 

[Magenta Panther]

The Nutcracker Suite, by far. It's gorgeous and magical. Second choice: Sorcerer's Apprentice. Third: Pastoral.

 

[Heppenheimer]

I went for the Toccata and Fugue, but more for musical than animated reasons. I'm a huge Bach fan (even though Bach probably didn't really compose the piece, but it sounds like his style...), and I particularly enjoy modern orchestrations of his works. They tend to bring out whole new aspects of the music, and Stokowski's arrangement here is no exception.

Plus, Disney tried something abstract rather than just going with a cliched Gothic horror representation. How many cheesy haunted houses have used the opening segment of the Toccata?

I too first saw this in the theater, during its late 80s-early 90s re-release. As I understand, the complete film had at that point been firmly locked in the vault since the 1960s. That night started a love affair between me and classical music that lasts to this day. The soundtrack was the first CD I ever purchased.

 

[Sctble]

Plus, Disney tried something abstract rather than just going with a cliched Gothic horror representation. How many cheesy haunted houses have used the opening segment of the Toccata?

I enjoyed that about this original take on the arrangement also. Looked and sounded uplifting - powerful, which is a rarity with many interpretations, like you said, usually leading into a haunted or grim scene.

Even Bald Mountain's animated visuals, as "dark" as they were attempting to be, came across as a joyous outing for the deceased to mingle, rather than something bad taking place.
Which begs the question: Was Chernabog technically a "villain" per-say, despite his menacing appearance? Yes, he looks like a devil of sorts, but what bad did he do? Let the dead get out of the grave for a few hours to party, then return to slumber?

 

[unmitigated disaster]

I went for the Toccata and Fugue, but more for musical than animated reasons. I'm a huge Bach fan (even though Bach probably didn't really compose the piece, but it sounds like his style...), and I particularly enjoy modern orchestrations of his works. They tend to bring out whole new aspects of the music, and Stokowski's arrangement here is no exception.

Plus, Disney tried something abstract rather than just going with a cliched Gothic horror representation. How many cheesy haunted houses have used the opening segment of the Toccata?

I too first saw this in the theater, during its late 80s-early 90s re-release. As I understand, the complete film had at that point been firmly locked in the vault since the 1960s. That night started a love affair between me and classical music that lasts to this day. The soundtrack was the first CD I ever purchased.

I saw it in the early 1970s.

 

[champdisney]

My favorite segment in Fantasia from a storytelling prospective is Night on Bald Mountain/Ave Maria. It’s eerie and a bit uncomfortable at times, especially when watching with small children as I question if that particular segment is going a little too far with some of the sudden shocking imagery and overall dark nature of the story being told. I don’t think it’s necessarily for kids but for mature audiences, it’s brilliant.

It’s evil momentarily overtaking a village on one vengeful night with the good and pure of heart returning with great faith of a promising tomorrow that cannot be easily vanquished. At least that’s my interpretation. It’s a beautiful piece among the other beautiful pieces in Fantasia.

Rite of Spring is another favorite of mine. You can feel the adventure and wonder of what it’s like to live among the dinosaurs. This was decades before dino-hits such as Jurassic Park, The Land Before Time and Disney’s own Dinosaur, and to think Walt Disney brought it to us first. Really neat stuff.

Sorcerer’s Apprentice is fantastic and the sole reason why a lot of folks even dare to watch Fantasia. It’s perfect but the one thing I appreciate the most from this segment and it’s such a minor detail but I still want to share it, that being seeing Mickey Mouse within a piece that has such high quality animation. The background art, the details, everything was executed perfectly that is akin to Snow White and the Seven Dwarves and Pinocchio. This isn’t a shot at all of the prior and latter Mickey shorts but everyone obviously knows where the dominance lies here.

Fantasia is a legendary film that was way ahead of its time. Not many folks appreciate this film but for anybody with an artistic eye, this film is an experience like no other. I love Fantasia!

Oh... and I think the land shown in The Pastoral Symphony segment is Narnia before the days of White Witch.

 

[Sctble]

Rite of Spring is another favorite of mine. You can feel the adventure and wonder of what it’s like to live among the dinosaurs.

One reason I'll always miss the original version of Universe Of Energy at Epcot.
With the Rite Of Spring scenes in the short movie leading into the dinosaur room, and the layout of the dino room taking inspiration from that segment as a whole, it's the closest we've ever gotten to having a Fantasia ride at the parks.

 

[champdisney]

One reason I'll always miss the original version of Universe Of Energy at Epcot.
With the Rite Of Spring scenes in the short movie leading into the dinosaur room, and the layout of the dino room taking inspiration from that segment as a whole, it's the closest we've ever gotten to having a Fantasia ride at the parks.

Absolutely. I also like to think that Fantasmic was heavily influenced by Fantasia as well.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Night on Bald Mountain... Ave Maria. The imposing, overpowering Chernabog cast out and vanquished.

 

[Heppenheimer]

My second favorite is easily the Pastoral Symphony. The main reason- Bacchus as a good-natured, roley-poley drunk!

 

[The Empress Lilly]

1 Pastoral
2 Dance of the Hours

I adore Fantasia 2000 too. Anybody else?

 

[Sctble]

I adore Fantasia 2000 too. Anybody else?

I really enjoyed it. We saw it on IMAX the week it opened, and it was a great experience. My only complaint is how it used celebrity cameos too heavily in-between segments, but the segments themselves were beautiful. Not as good as the original of course, but a worthy follow-up. Also think the Firebird is one of the most terrifying, best visually animated, and underrated Disney villains in the entire library of films.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

My only complaint is how it used celebrity cameos too heavily in-between segments, but the segments themselves were beautiful.

I thoroughly disliked all those cameos too. It cheapens the experience to me, the way celeb inclusions in EPCOT tend to do.

Otherwise great movie, great varied animation. The Spring segment is probably my fav.
Pity F2000 not only met with indifference at the box office but largely with fans too. Or else perhaps we'd see new segments or more experimental animation.

Incidentally, I would love for a Fantasia attraction (beyond PhilharMagic) that tries out novel animation presentation or tries to be to dark rides what Fantasia is too the animated canon.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Night on Bald Mountain... Ave Maria. The imposing, overpowering Chernabog cast out and vanquished.

I don't remember now if you visit DLP or not. They have a neat Night on Bald Mountain segment at their Storybook Canal Boat ride: