Fantasia 2000, 1999
A great collection of original production animation drawings for sale from the Walt Disney feature film.
Original production animation drawing of Mickey Mouse in graphite and red pencils and used during the production of "Fantasia 2000" 1999, Walt Disney Studios; Numbered M103 in red pencil lower right; Animation ladder upper right; Size - Mickey Mouse: 6 x 5 1/4", Sheet 12 1/2 x 17"; Unframed; SOLD!
Original production animation drawing of Spring Sprite in graphite pencil and used during the production of "The Firebird Suite" sequence of "Fantasia 2000" 1999, Walt Disney Studios; Numbered S56 in graphite pencil lower right; Animation ladder upper right; Size - Spring Sprite: 9 x 7 1/4", Sheet 12 1/2 x 17"; Unframed; SOLD!
Original production animation drawing of The Elk in red, blue, and graphite pencils and used during the production of "The Firebird Suite" sequence of "Fantasia 2000" 1999, Walt Disney Studios; Numbered E17 in graphite pencil lower right; Animation ladder upper right; Size - The Elk: 8 3/4 x 4 3/4", Sheet 12 1/2 x 17"; Unframed; SOLD!
Original production animation drawing of The Elk in red, blue, green, and graphite pencils and used during the production of "The Firebird Suite" sequence of "Fantasia 2000" 1999, Walt Disney Studios; Numbered E13 in graphite pencil lower right; Animation ladder upper right; Size - The Elk: 7 x 8 1/2", Sheet 12 1/2 x 17"; Unframed; SOLD!
Original production animation drawing of Spring Sprite in graphite pencil and used during the production of "The Firebird Suite" sequence of "Fantasia 2000" 1999, Walt Disney Studios; Numbered S56 in graphite pencil lower right; Animation ladder upper right; Size - Spring Sprite: 9 x 7 1/4", Sheet 12 1/2 x 17"; Unframed.
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Fantasia 2000, released by Walt Disney Pictures in 1999 (and widely distributed in 2000), is a sequel and modern continuation of Walt Disney’s original 1940 masterpiece Fantasia. Like its predecessor, the film is a fusion of classical music and animation, blending visual art with symphonic sound to create a unique cinematic experience. Conceived under the leadership of Roy E. Disney, Walt’s nephew, Fantasia 2000 sought to revive the original concept of pairing animated sequences with famous works of classical music, while
updating the approach with modern animation techniques and a fresh artistic vision for a new generation.
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The film is structured as a series of eight animated segments set to orchestral pieces performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the direction of James Levine. Each segment has its own narrative tone and artistic style, ranging from whimsical to profound. Among the standout sequences is George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, animated in the style of Al Hirschfeld’s New York caricatures, depicting intersecting lives in 1930s Manhattan. Another highlight is Igor Stravinsky’s The Firebird Suite (1919 Version), an emotional and visually stunning depiction of destruction and rebirth set within a natural landscape, often seen as a spiritual successor to the original Fantasia’s “Night on Bald Mountain” sequence.
Other notable segments include Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, an abstract exploration of light and shadow; Pines of Rome by Ottorino Respighi, which tells the story of whales that soar gracefully through the sky; and Camille Saint-Saëns’s Carnival of the Animals (Finale), featuring a humorous story of a yo-yo-playing flamingo. The film also includes two sequences that nod to the original Fantasia: Paul Dukas’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, which features Mickey Mouse in his classic role, and Edward Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance, a playful retelling of Noah’s Ark starring Donald Duck.
Fantasia 2000 distinguishes itself not only through its musical variety but also its use of both traditional and computer-generated animation. The film embraces the digital technology emerging at the end of the 20th century, creating sequences that feel expansive and fluid while maintaining the artistic integrity of hand-drawn work. The interstitial segments, featuring celebrity presenters like Steve Martin, Bette Midler, and Quincy Jones, add a lighthearted, accessible tone to what might otherwise seem like a highbrow artistic experiment.
Critically, Fantasia 2000 was praised for its creativity, stunning visuals, and musical sophistication, even if it did not achieve the same groundbreaking status as the 1940 original. It was one of the first films released in IMAX format, giving audiences a breathtaking large-scale viewing experience. Ultimately, Fantasia 2000 stands as both a tribute to Walt Disney’s original vision and a statement of artistic evolution—celebrating how animation and music can merge to create something timeless, poetic, and visually transcendent.
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