Mickey's first appearance in a feature film and perhaps his most
famous role. As the sorcerer's apprentice, Mickey's that little guy
in all of us who dreams that some day he too can make it big.
Unfortunately, his dreams are bigger than his abilities, as he
borrows his mentor's forbidden magic hat and enchants a broomstick
to do his work for him. Sure that he's mastered the sorcerer's art,
Mickey relaxes into a nap. Fantasizing that he's in control of the
very forces of nature, he's rudely awakened to a flood of reality;
even the simple broomstick is beyond his control. Realizing too
late that there's no shortcut to greatness, Mickey learns you've
got to slosh your way to the top one bucket at a time.
Mickey's most famous role was something of a comeback for the
mouse, originally planned as a special short subject. But since it
turned out to be so elaborate (and expensive), it was combined with
other segments into the feature film "Fantasia." His image was
modified for this feature film debut to include eye pupils and a
more three-dimensional appearance (adapted from an illustration by
Ward Kimball).
Film: "Fantasia," "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" section
(1940)
Voice Artist: Walt Disney
Composer: Paul Dukas
