Walt Disney, one of the most creative minds of the twentieth century, created a unique and incomparable imaginary universe. Like very few other film classics, his astonishing collection of cartoons revolutionized the way stories are told on the big screen and has managed to captivate entire generations from all over the world to this day.
This volume,
one of the most complete illustrated publications dedicated to Walt Disney, presents hundreds of images as well as essays by renowned experts on Disney and takes us to the heart of the studio during the “golden age of animation.”
We review the entire career of Disney from the silent film era, through its first feature film,
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) and
Fantasia (1940), up to its latest masterpieces:
Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree (1966) and
The Jungle Book (1967).
After
thorough research with
access to the historical collections of The Walt Disney Company, as well as
private collections, editor Daniel Kothenschulte has selected some of
the most outstanding concept paintings and storyboards to show how these animation masterpieces came to life. With masterful and
meticulous illustrations on celluloid taken from scenes of the most famous films and
little-known images taken by Disney photographers, the book offers
privileged insight into the creative process within the studio.
A chapter is devoted to each of the main animated films made during Walt Disney’s lifetime, including
Pinocchio,
Fantasia,
Dumbo,
Bambi,
Cinderella,
Peter Pan,
Lady and the Tramp, and
101 Dalmatians, not forgetting lesser-known gems such as the experimental shorts from the
Silly Symphonies series and underrated
musical films by segments like
Make Mine Music and
Melody Time.
Aware that the Disney style was a collective project owed both to the master and teamwork,
The Walt Disney Archives aims to show its recognition to the extraordinary animators and designers who influenced the studio’s work, such as
Albert Hurter, Gustaf Tenggren, Kay Nielsen, Mary Blair, Sylvia Holland, Tyrus Wong, Ken Anderson, Eyvind Earle, and Walt Peregoy.
