addressed racial insensitivity
The film is best known for its adaptation of Paul Dukas’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, featuring Mickey Mouse and animated brooms. However, many of the other segments are more abstract and less narrative. Fantasia holds a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes but has not been without controversy. Early issues included a plagiarism lawsuit and criticism over its scientific depiction of the universe’s birth, while later critiques have addressed racial insensitivity. In the 1960s, Walt Disney personally oversaw the removal of a racially insensitive centaur character, and since then, only the edited version has been released. Disney attempted to follow up with Fantasia 2000, but it did not capture the experimental spirit of the original. The film’s innovative approach to animation and music remains a significant influence in the industry. Fantasia is celebrated for its bold artistic vision and continues to be a unique experience for audiences. The film is available for streaming on Disney+.