Museum Home
Main Collection
Special Exhibits
Children's Guide
Conference Center
Film Theater
Education
Dictionary
Gift Shop



Spotlight On:

Walt: The Man behind the Myth

This month, the long-awaited DVD release of the ABC film "Walt: The Man Behind the Myth" became available - at least to online buyers. For six months, the DVD will be available exclusively from Disney Online (see link below), before it enters a general release through home video stores.

The DVD has already generated intense interest, judging by the reviews that have appeared over the last few weeks. It contains the complete theatrical version of the film, which is 119 minutes long (as compared to the 88-minute broadcast that appeared on ABC). In addition, the producers have added about two hours of "bonus" video footage. In sum, the DVD is "a rare opportunity into the life of someone who many people view as one of the most influential men in the entertainment business," according to Ricky Tucker of "GameVortex."

We're giving our Guests a rare "sneak preview" of the DVD, including actual samples of some of the bonus materials.

The Lay-Out
For anyone familiar with Hollywood DVDs, the Main Menu will be instantly recognizable. In addition to the default "PLAY" function that prompts the film, the Main Menu offers:

1. Scene Selections, offering access to 24 scene segments
2. Bonus Features, organized in seven categories
3. Setup, providing subtitles in English, French and Spanish

Bonus Materials
The Bonus Materials program features unique outtakes and other material not used in the film, and includes the following:


Walt: The Man behind the Myth


1."Walt: An Intimate View" features thoughts on Walt as a boss and father from some of Walt's closest friends and family members.

2. "Disney Legends" is a collection of interview excerpts with top animators, artists, and storymen, including Marc Davis, Ollie Johnston, Frank Thomas, Ward Kimball, Joe Grant, and John Hench.

3. "Actors, Directors and Friends" offers interview excerpts with actors Dick van Dyke and Dean Jones, television host Art Linkletter, author Ray Bradbury, and directors Ken Annakin and Richard Fleischer.

4. "The Making of 'Walt'" is a 16-minute behind-the-scenes impression of the production, which was shot on location in Marceline, Missouri; Kansas City; and Los Angeles. It also contains interviews with executive producer Walter Elias Disney Miller, grandson of Walt Disney, as well as the film's writers and director.

5. "Location Visits" is a tour of virtual visits to key locations where Walt lived and worked, narrated by Diane Disney Miller.

6. "Home Movies," also narrated by Diane, is a rare selection of home movies shot by Walt that are not featured in the film.

7. "The Walt Disney Family Museum" offers a direct link to this Web site, for those viewers who watch the DVD on a computer with access to the Internet.

 

Walt: An Intimate View
To judge by the reviews, "Intimate View" is definitely one of the favorite Bonus segments. "[The] notes help expand our knowledge of the man," writes Colin Jacobson in "DVD Movie Guide"; "I most enjoyed the comments about working with Walt, as those offered some interesting facts. The remarks about reactions to Walt's illness and death also provided compelling insight into his final days."

"Intimate View" is organized under six topics: (1) Meeting Walt for the first time, (2) Walt as a boss, (3) Walt at home, (4) Walt and music, (5) Walt's Creativity, and (6) Walt's passing. To see a preview of the segment "Walt's Passing," click on the image below.

.

The 'Virtual Tour'
"Location Visits" is another favorite with reviewers. "Narrated by Walt's daughter Diane, this featurette is beautifully put together and gives us a comprehensive look about the places that defined Walt Disney as a man," writes Guido Henkel in "DVD Review"; "many photographs and vintage footage manage to really paint a picture of the places."


Walt: The Man behind the Myth

At the starting menu, "Location Visits" offers a choice of four cities: Chicago, Marceline, Kansas City, and Los Angeles, which lead to a total of 13 individual locations to explore. Each visit includes historical footage as well as a sense of how the spot appeared in Walt's day and today.

To sample this Bonus segment, make your choice from among the three visits offered in Kansas City, using the interactive menu below.

Walt: The Man behind the Myth

Using this screen shot from the DVD, click on the site of your choice

"'Walt: The Man Behind the Myth' is presented in a 1.66:1 widescreen aspect ratio, [and] the quality of the transfer is very good," writes reviewer Guido Henkel; " the [archival] material has been nicely restored for best possible presentation. The disc also contains a stereo audio track; this is very clear and free of defects. Even the old recordings of Walt Disney himself have been cleaned up and are of very good quality."

With 4 hours of video material and excerpts from more than 70 interviews, the "Walt" DVD is definitely a collector's item for every Disney fan, as well as everyone interested in Hollywood and filmmaking in general.



Walt: The Man behind the Myth ‘Walt: The Man behind the Myth'
Narrated by: Dick van Dyke
Executive Producer: Walter Elias Disney Miller
Written by: Katherine and Richard Greene, Jean-Pierre Isbouts
Produced by: Catherine Labrador
Length: 119 minutes
Aspect ratio: 1.66:1 (letterbox)
Rating: G
Region: 1
Audio: Dolby Digital

Bonus Materials: Approximately 117 minutes
A film by Pantheon Studios, Inc. for the Walt Disney Family Foundation

Distributed by Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc.


This disc is available from the Museum Gift Shop as well as DisneyDVD.com

 

 

Use of this site signifies your agreement to the terms of use.
© Disney. All rights reserved.