We’re very pleased to report that Walt Disney Home Video is releasing both Fantasia 2000 and the original masterpiece Fantasia this November.

One of the most innovative animated features ever created, ‘Fantasia’ (1940) uses the context of great classical music as a background for several segments of varying length and tone. Something of a failure when it was first released, the film is now considered a great achievement by many film buffs and critics alike. ‘Fantasia 2000’, released 60 years later, follows the same formula and even contains a ‘re-mix’ of one of the most cherished segments of the original, ‘The Sorcerer’s Apprentice’ which features the Mouse himself. The film was originally released only in IMAX theaters for a limited run, then played across the country in more conventional venues.

‘Fantasia 2000’ will include a 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen version of the film created directly from the original digital image files, along with both Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1 soundtrack options. The disc will be THX-certified and include an Optimode test section. Extra material will consist of 2 audio commentary tracks. The first will be by executive producer Roy Disney, conductor James Levine & producer Don Ernst. The second commentary will feature the directors & animators for each musical segment. There will be a documentary, ‘The Making Of Fantasia 2000,’ and two bonus cartoons: ‘Toot, Whistle, Pluck And Boom’ and ‘Melody.’ Also included will be a commemorative booklet.

‘Fantasia’ will be released in its original 1.33:1 aspect ratio, with both Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1 soundtracks. The THX-certified DVD will also include the featurette, ‘The Making Of Fantasia’ and 2 audio commentary tracks. Track one will feature Roy Disney, James Levine, animation historian John Canemaker & Disney manager of film restoration Scott MacQueen. Track two will include a collection of rare archival interviews hosted by John Canemaker.

Disney will simultaneously release The Fantasia Anthology. This will be a three-disc set containing the ‘Fantasia’ and ‘Fantasia 2000’ DVDs mentioned above along with a third disc consisting of an assortment of supplemental material. The ‘Fantasia 2000’ supplements found on the ‘Fantasia Anthology’ Disc set will include an in-depth exploration of each animation & musical segment with interviews, storyboards & concept designs. There will also be production progression demonstrations, deleted animation, alternate versions & abandoned concepts, along with publicity material, as well as a segment on the historical context of each musical piece featured in the movie. ‘Fantasia’ (1940) supplements include an in-depth exploration of each animation segment, the special effects segment, a still frame gallery, a section featuring reconstructed segments deleted from the film including ‘Claire de Lune’ & ‘The Ride Of The Valyries.’ Also included will be still frame art from ‘The Flight Of The Bumblebee,’ ‘Mosquito’ and ‘Baby Ballet,’ as well as pencil tests of unused animation and biographies of the various filmakers & composers associated with the landmark production. Whew!

All of these discs are set for release on November 14th. The individual movies will carry a suggested retail price of $29.99…quite fair considering the wealth of material (and Disney’s original pricing policies). ‘The Fantasia Anthology’ will retail at $69.99.

November 14th can’t get here fast enough for us….