Guide to Fantasia / 2000

Fantasia / 2000

World Premiere Tour December 17-31
Released Nationwide January 1, 2000, 4-month IMAX exclusive
Nationwide, regular theaters June 16, 2000
Home release: November 14, 2000 click for details

Production Companies
Walt Disney Productions
Distributed by Walt Disney Pictures and Buena Vista Pictures

World Premiere Tour
Before it's public release on January 1, 2000, Fantasia / 2000 will go on a world tour featuring conductor James Levine conducting a live 120-piece orchestra as the movie plays. The tour dates are:

• Dec. 17 - 19: World premiere at Carnegie Hall, New York
• Dec. 21: Royal Albert Hall, London
• Dec. 22: Theatre des Champs-Elysees, Paris
• Dec. 27: Orchard Hall, Tokyo
• Dec. 31: Pasadena Civic Auditorium, Los Angeles

During the tour items created by a prestigious group of top designers that includes Steuben, Mikimoto, Harry Winston, Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Steiff, and Dolce & Gabbana will be shown. The "Masterworks" collection travels to NewYork, London, Paris, Tokyo and Pasadena, California, as part of the five-city "Fantasia/2000 World Premiere Tour." All seven items in the collection will be offered for auction at Sotheby's in June 2000.
Click here to view the collection.

Film Details
Crew

• Directors: James Algar, Gaetan Brizzi, Paul Brizzi, Hendel Butoy, Francis Glebas, Eric Goldberg, Pixote Hunt
• Producer: Donald W. Ernst
• Conductor: James Levine
• Orchestra: Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Segments
Fantasia / 2000 is composed of eight segments. One from the original Fantasia (The Sorcerer's Appreciate) and seven new segments

• Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, Ludwig von Beethoven
• Pines of Rome, Ottorino Respighi
• Rhapsody in Blue, George Gershwin
• Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No. 2, Allegro, Opus 102, Dmitri Shostakovich
• Carnival of the Animals, Camille Saint-Saëns
• The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Paul Dukas
• Pomp and Circumstance, Sir Edward Elgar
• Firebird Suite - 1919 Version, Igor Stravinsky

Celebrity Introducers
Celebrity hosts from various arts will appear on screen to introduce each of the segments:

• Steve Martin
• Itzhak Perlman
• Bette Midler
• Quincy Jones
• James Earl Jones
• Penn & Teller
• Angela Lansbury

News Stories

• Henry Ford Museum's IMAX Celebrates 1st Anniversary With the Return of Disney's Fantasia/2000
  (from 9/11 LaughingPlace.com, linked 9/11)
  Press release announcing the return of Fantasia 2000 to the Henry Ford Museum IMAX November 19th through December 31, 2000.
• Press release announcing home release
  (from 8/23 LaughingPlace.com, linked 8/23)
  Announces home releases of Fantasia, Fantasia 2000 and the Fantasia Anthology.
  PostGazette: Computer animation advances
  (from 6/19 Post-Gazette, linked 6/19)
  An article in the June 18th Post-Gazette discusses recent advances in computer animation and focuses on Fantasia/2000 and includes discussion with Roy E. Disney.
• Fantasia 2000 Sotheby's Auction and June Theater release
  (from 5/18 LaughingPlace.com, linked 5/18)
  Press release announcing Fantasia 2000 will be released in theaters on June 16th for a four-week engagement and the upcoming Sotheby's auction of Six One-of-a-Kind Masterworks created to celebrate the film.
• DetNews: Mickey and IMAX make movie milestones
  (from 2/18 Detroit News, linked 2/18)
  The Detroit News adds information to a USA Today report about the amazing success of Disney's Fantasia/2000
• CSLive: Culhane discusses Fantasia / 2000
  (from 2/10 Collectors Showcase Live, linked 2/10)
  The Collectors Showcase Live website offers a feature written by Disney historian John Culhane. He talks about the caricature of himself that appears in Fantasia/2000 and how it reflects the philosophy Walt Disney shared with him.
• CSLive: Fantasia artist Joe Grant returns six decades later for sequel
  (from 2/10 Collectors Showcase Live, linked 2/10)
  The Collectors Showcase Live website offers a feature about Fantasia artist Joe Grant who returned six decades later for Fantasia/2000.
• Fantasia/2000 Soars Past the $21 Million Mark
  (from 1/31 LaughingPlace.com, linked 1/31)
  Fantasia/2000 soars past the $21 million mark in just one month of release at 75 venues worldwide.
• Fantasia/2000 IMAX to be extended?
  (from 1/19 Los Angeles Times, linked 1/19)
  The January 18th Los Angeles Times at the tail end of an article discussing last weekend's box office reports on the success of Fantasia/2000 and the possibility that its planned four month IMAX run could be lengthened.
• More IMAX films to come?
  (from 1/14 Reuter's, linked 1/14)
  Reuter's has a January 12th article in which IMAX discusses their hopes that the success of Fantasia/2000 will spur other major films to be created in the IMAX format.
• Fantasia/2000 Setting Worldwide Records
  (from 1/5 LaughingPlace.com, linked 1/5)
  Fantasia/2000 grossed an average $40,095 per screen during its opening weekend and has broken IMAX attendance records worldwide.
• Fantasia/2000 Smashes IMAX Records
  (from 1/4 LaughingPlace.com, linked 1/4)
  Fantasia/2000 has set records during its opening weekend at IMAX theaters through the United States and Canada.
• LATimes: Fantasia/2000 black tie gala
  (from 1/3 Los Angeles Times, linked 1/3)
  The January 2nd Los Angeles Times offers a brief glimpse into the sold-out $2000 a seat Fantasia 2000 premiere at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on New Year's Eve.
• Life Was Fantasia with Walt
  (from This Is London, linked 12/31)
  Discussion of Walt and the original Fantasia and Roy E. Disney and the new Fantasia/2000.
• Updated, but still Fantasia
  (from This Is London, linked 12/31)
  Mostly a history of Walt Disney and the original Fantasia.
• Fantasia gets face-lift for 2000 and IMAX
  (from 12/31 Philadelphia Daily News, linked 12/31)
  A look at the history of the original Fantasia and the process that lead to the sequel.
• Missing the point of great music
  (from 12/31 Orange County Register, linked 12/31)
  A mock interview with the composers of Fantasua/2000's music to find out what they might think.
• It Won't Be Playing Here
  (from 12/31 Philadelphia Daily News, linked 12/31)
  A story on the reasons Fantasia/2000 will not be screened in any Philadelphia theaters.
• Fantasia/2000 at the Kansas City Zoo IMAX Theater
  (from 12/30/99 Kansas City Star, linked 12/31)
  A short history of Fantasia/2000 and information on its Kansas City showing.
• The 'Sorcerer's' Apprentice
  (from 12/30 Los Angeles Times, linked 12/30)
  A lenghy article about Fantasia/2000 including discussions with its animators about the film's evolution and planning as well as offering Roy E Disney's vision of Fantasias in the future.
• Fantasia finale masterminded by French twins
  (from 12/30 Jam! Showbiz, linked 12/30)
  Article about French brothers Gaetan and Paul Brizzi who after working on Hunchback of Notre Dame storyboards and were given more and more animation roles leading up to being assigned the awesome task of developing the finale for Fantasia/2000.
• Fantasia/2000 to open at Howard Hughes Center
  (from 12/29 LaughingPlace.com, linked 12/29)
  Details on the custom-built IMAX theater at the Howard Hughes Center in Los Angeles where Fantasia/2000 will open on January 1, 2000.
• Fantasia/2000 and other upcoming Disney projects
  (from 12/28 Calgary Sun, linked 12/29)
  A report describing Fantasia/2000 and various other upcoming Disney projects
• Imax Theaters Face Limits by Disney
  (from 12/28 Associated Press, linked by 12/29)
  reports that due to Disney's insistence to show nothing but Fantasia/2000 has cut back on the number IMAX theaters that will display the film.
• History of Fantasia/2000
  (from 12/27 Evansville Courier & Press, linked 12/27)
  A lengthy article on the history of Fantasia and Fantasia/2000 including highlights from the new film from those who've seen it.
• Fantasia/2000 selling well in Silicon Valley
  (from 12/23 Mercury News, linked 12/27)
  A report that the hottest ticket in town is for Fantasia/2000 at the Tech Museum of Innovation IMAX theater with over 83 shows worth of tickets sold.
• Utah won't get IMAX Fantasia
  (from 12/26 Desert News, linked 12/27)
  Utah residents will have to travel to Las Vegas or Boise to see an IMAX version of Fantasia/2000 as their local large theaters are not IMAX-licensed.
• Fantasia/2000 advance sales strong
  (from 12/22 Los Angeles Times, linked here 12/23/99)
  Fantasia/2000 advance ticket sales were as much as 20 times greater than the IMAX theater's normal figures.
• Full report of Fantasia 2000 at Carnegie
  (from 12/21/1999 Ain't It Cool News, linked here 12/21/1999)
  Segment by segment review of Fantasia 2000 and the author's experience at Carnegie Hall. note: The bold introductory paragraphs contain profanity
• Disney Unwraps Fantasia Sequel
  (from 12/20/1999 Los Angeles Times, linked here 12/20/1999)
  Detailed report from the Friday night invitation only world premiere and gala.
• Fantasia/2000 Bows at Gotham Gala
  (from 12/20/1999 Variety, linked here 12/20/1999)
  Variety's detailed report from the Friday night invitation only world premiere and gala.
• Report from Carnagie Hall
  (from 12/18/1999 Ain't It Cool News, linked here 12/20/1999)
  Ain't It Cool News has a report from a reader lucky enough to attend one of the showings of Fantasia/2000 at Carnegie Hall with the live orchestra. Included is an opinion of each segment of the film.
• Fantasia/2000 to Miss Ottawa
  (from 12/18/1999 Ottawa Citizen, linked here 12/20/1999)
  Reports their large, local IMAX theater won't be able to show Fantasia/2000 for several reasons including film length, exclusivity requirements and required ticket split with Disney.
• Fantasia / 2000 Tickets Are Hot
  (from 12/17/1999 Detroit News, linked here 12/17/1999)
  Reports advance ticket sales for Fantasia / 2000 are going very well over $149,000 in tickets sold already for the Henry Ford Museum IMAX Theater.
• Fantasia / 2000 Grows to IMAX Height
  (from 12/17/1999 New York Daily News, linked here 12/17/1999)
  General article about the segments in Fantasia / 2000
• Kodak To Sponsor Fantasia / 2000
  (from 12/16/1999 LaughingPlace.com, linked here 12/16/1999)
  Disney has announced Kodak will sponsor the Fantasia / 2000 "World Premiere Tour" and 4-month IMAX run.
• Roy Disney, The Uncle's Apprentice
  (from 12/9/1999 Los Angeles Times, linked here 12/16/1999)
  An extensive article on Roy Disney, the nephew of Walt Disney and current chief of Walt Disney Feature Animation. The article includes lots of childhood memories about Walt and his father, Roy O. Disney and insights on Fantasia / 2000.
• Fantasia / 2000 New Year's Eve Gala
  (from 12/9/1999 LaughingPlace.com, linked here 12/16/1999)
  Details on Disney's New Year's Eve gala premiere for Fantasia / 2000 in Pasadena, CA.
• Fantasia / 2000 One-Of-A-Kinds Go On Display In NYC
  (from 12/9/1999 LaughingPlace.com, linked here 12/16/1999)
  Details on a series of Fantasia / 2000 one-of-a-kind collectibles that will be touring with the movie during the World Premiere.
  Click here to view the collection.
• Disney to Construct Temporary IMAX Theater
  (from 12/7/1999 Excite.com, linked here 12/16/1999)
  Story on Disney's announcement that a temporary IMAX theater will be built in Los Angeles to show Fantasia / 2000.
• Disney's Fantastic Voyage
  (from 12/6/1999 Time.com, linked here 12/16/1999)
  An extensive look at the history of Fantasia / 2000 and a review of the film.
• Fantasia / 2000 at Carnegie Hall Soldout
  (from 9/15/1999 LaughingPlace.com, linked here 12/16/1999)
  Announcement from Disney that the World Premiere of Fantasia / 2000 at Carnegie Hall is sold out.
• A Look at Upcoming Disney Films
  (from 9/11/1999 Ain't It Cool News, linked here 12/16/1999)
  A look at upcoming Disney films including Fantasia 2000, Treasure Planet, Atlantis and Sweating Bullets
• Fantasia / 2000 New Years Eve Announcement
  (from 8/12/1999 LaughingPlace.com, linked here 12/16/1999)
  Original release on the New Year's Eve Gala in Pasadena

Reviews

• Joel Hartse, positive (from Seattle Pacific U. Linked here 1/20/2000)
• Roger Ebert, 3 out of 4 stars (from Chicago Sun-Times. Linked here 12/31/99)
• Michael Elliot, positive (from Movie Parables. Linked here 12/31/99)
• Neil Norman, negative (from This Is London, Linked here 12/31/99)
• David Sterritt, mixed (from Christian Science Monitor. Linked here 12/31/99)
• Robert Denerstein, positive (from Cincinnati Post. Linked here 12/31/99)
• Stephen Holden, mixed (from New York Times, requires free registration. Linked here 12/31/99)
• Henry Sheehan, positive (from Orange County Register. Linked here 12/31/99)
• Kenneth Turan, positive (from Los Angeles Times. Linked here 12/31/99)
• Todd McCarthy,  mixed (from Variety. Linked here 12/23/99)
• Scooop and the Gang, positive (from Ain't It Cool News. Linked here 12/21/99)
  Note: The bold introductory paragraphs contain profanity
• Christopher Null, 4 out 5 stars (from FilmCritic.com. Linked here 12/20/99)
• "Moriarty", mixed (from Ain't It Cool News. Linked here 12/17/99)
• "Baked Spam", positive (from Ain't It Cool News. Linked here 12/16/99)
• Richard Corliss, positive (from Time.com. Linked here 12/16/99)
• CD/music review, Terry Teachout, negative (from Time.com. Linked here 12/16/99)

Box Office Performance

• Opening weekend (12/31 - 1/2): $2.2 million, #12
• Second weekend (1/7 - 1/9): $2.6 million, #14. 2 week total $6.9 million
• Third weekend (1/14 - 1/16): $3.1 million, #15. 3 week total $11.0 million
• Fourth weekend (1/21 - 1/23): $2 million, #16.  4 week total $13.7 million
• Fifth weekend (1/28 - 1/30): $1.9 million, #11. 5 week total $16.4 million
• Sixth weekend (2/4 - 2/6): $1.8 million, #13. 6 week total $18.9 million
• Seventh weekend (2/11 - 2/13): $1.7 million, #11. 7 week total $21.2 million
• Eighth weekend (2/18 - 2/20): $2.3 million, #13. 8 week total $24.4 million
• Ninth weekend (2/25 - 2/27): $1.6 million, #15. 9 week total $26.8 million
• Tenth weekend (3/3 - 3/5): $1.4 million, #18. 10 week total $28.9 million
• Eleventh weekend (3/10 - 3/12): $1.5 million, #18. 11 week total $31.1 million
• Twelfth weekend (3/17 - 3/19): $1.5 million, #13. 12 week total $33.7 million
• Thirteenth weekend (3/24 - 3/26): $1.3 million, #12. 13 week total $35.9 million
• Fourteenth weekend (3/31 - 4/2): $1.3 million, #14. 14 week total $38.1million
• Fifteenth weekend (4/7 - 4/9): $1.3 million, #13. 15 week total 40.2 million
• Sixteenth weekend (4/14 - 4/16): $1.5 million, #15. 16 week total $42.4 million
• Seventeeth weekend (4/21 - 4/23): $1.9 million, #14. 17 week total $45.8 million
• Eighteenth weekend (4/28 - 4/30): $2.1 million, #12. 18 week total $49.5 million.

June 16th rerelease to regular theaters:

• Opening weekend (6/16 - 6/18): $2.8 million, #11. Total incl. IMAX receipts $52.5 million.
• Second weekend (6/23 - 6/25): $1.5 million, #13. Total including IMAX receipts $55.6 million.
• Third weekend (6/30 - 7/2): $692,841, #16. Total including IMAX receipts $57.7 million.
• Fourth weekend (7/7 - 7/9): $388,474, #16. Total including IMAX receipts $58.3 million.

Merchandise Links
Items can be purchased by clicking the link

Home releases

• Fantasia Anthology: 3-Disc Collectors DVD
• Fantasia 2000 on DVD
• Fantasia 2000 on VHS
• Fantasia on DVD

Music

• Fantasia / 2000 soundtrack (from Amazon.com)
  Details and sounds samples available via this link.

Books

• Fantasia / 2000: A Vision of Hope (from Amazon.com)
  By Roy E. Disney and John Culhane

Misc

• The Fantasia / 2000 movie poster (from Nostalgia.com)
• Fantasia / 2000 UK movie poster (from Nostalgia.com)
• Fantasia / 2000 Masterworks Collection

Walt Disney Art Classics
Walt Disney Art Classics has release several pieces to accompany Fantasia 2000. Usually a press release accompanies the release. The press releases are linked below, most with pictures.:

• Fantasia / 2000 Animation Art Release
  Walt Disney Animation Art announces the upcoming releases of 8 all-new animation art pieces to celebrate Fantasia / 2000. These pieces vary in format and edition sizes.
• Fantasia / 2000 All-New Porcelain Sculptures Announced
  Walt Disney Classics Collection announces the upcoming releases of 7 all-new porcelain sculptures to celebrate Fantasia / 2000. These pieces vary in edition size.
• Fantasia / 2000 Limited Edition cel set-up
  Walt Disney Art Classics announces the release of "A Lesson Learned". This all-new hand-painted, limited-edition cel set-up from "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" segment will be published in an edition size of 300 and will retail for $2,500
• Fantasia / 2000 all-new animation art
  Walt Disney Animation Art announces the releases of eight all-new animation art pieces to celebrate Fantasia / 2000. These pieces vary in format and edition sizes.
• Fantasia / 2000 all-new porcelain sculptures
  Walt Disney Classics Collection announces the releases of seven all-new porcelain sculptures to celebrate Fantasia / 2000. These pieces vary in edition size.
• Fantasia / 2000 sericel
  Walt Disney Art Classics announces the release of an all-new limited edition sericel entitled "Apprentice Adventure" which will have a published edition size of 2,000.

Other Links

• Fantasia / 2000 official site
  Includes background information on the movie and lots of instructional information on the classical pieces.
• Fantasia / 2000 Internet Movie Database Site
  The most complete cast, crew, background and everything else information you'll find.
• Animation Artists Magazine Fantasia/2000 Movie Site
• Site dedicated to the Steadfast Tin Soldier Segment

-- Last Updated 8/24/2000

 

 


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