For Immediate Release

"Fantasia 2000" on Disney DVD And VHS; "Fantasia" 60th Anniversary Edition on DVD; Disney's Animated Masterpieces Available Nov. 14

BURBANK, Calif., Aug 23, 2000 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- "Fantasia Anthology" 3-Disc Collectors DVD Set Loaded With Bonus Features. Walt Disney Home Video is proud to present the breathtaking masterpiece, Disney's "Fantasia 2000," an incredible symphony of sound, color and magical excitement, on VHS and DVD Nov. 14, 2000.

A brilliant pairing of music and animation, "Fantasia 2000" features seven all-new, spectacular sequences and one returning favorite, brought to life with music from such immortal composers as Beethoven, Gershwin and Stravinsky, and the talents of Roy E. Disney and the innovative Disney artists behind such great films as "Aladdin" and "The Lion King."

This amazing film is a new, contemporary vision of the "Fantasia" concept that Walt Disney pioneered, taking audiences on a journey into an entertaining, brilliant realm of cinematic imagination. In recognition of this momentous achievement, "Fantasia 2000" on VHS and DVD contains a collectible commemorative booklet that highlights the art, music and technology of the film.

The original "Fantasia," beloved to millions, celebrates its 60th anniversary (of its original theatrical release) almost to the day, with a first-time-ever release on DVD in a special 60th anniversary edition on Nov. 14. This beloved masterpiece has been restored and remastered, and now includes the original intermission and narration, not seen since 1940. The animated segment "Clair de Lune," created 60 years ago as part of the film, is finally being released on "Fantasia" (DVD), as originally conceived.

Also being released is a special "Fantasia Anthology" 3-disc collector's DVD set featuring "Fantasia," "Fantasia 2000" and "The Fantasia Legacy" supplemental features disc (see attached details).

The DVD of "Fantasia 2000" features a digital transfer created directly from the digital source, insuring an optimal presentation that actually surpasses the theatrical experience. Both "Fantasia 2000" and the 60th anniversary of "Fantasia" are presented in DTS and Dolby Digital Surround Sound, offering the ultimate in sound quality.

"Fantasia 2000" was created by a dynamic and diverse group of artists, musicians and filmmakers. For Disney, the filmmakers bring a wealth of experience to the film. Host Sequence Director Don Hahn has produced and co-produced some of Disney's biggest animated successes, including "The Lion King," "Beauty and the Beast" and the "Hunchback of Notre Dame."

Sequence Director Eric Goldberg has directed "Pocahontas" and has served as supervising animator on such films as "Aladdin" and "Hercules." The incredible animation in "Fantasia 2000," ranging from the lush look of hand-drawn animation to cutting-edge computer-generated imagery, is due to the devoted work of more than 1,200 Disney artists, who dedicated themselves to this special film.

The music for the film's seven new sequences, conducted by Maestro James Levine and performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, offers an array of styles, from Beethoven's famous "Symphony No. 5" to George Gershwin's jazz-age "Rhapsody in Blue." Additionally, the famous sequence "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," starring Mickey Mouse, is included from the original "Fantasia." "Fantasia 2000" also features a group of celebrity hosts, including Itzhak Perlman, James Earl Jones, Penn & Teller and Angela Lansbury, who guide the audience from segment to segment.

In creating the original "Fantasia" in 1940, Walt Disney dreamed of bringing a new vision of his "grand experiment" of music and animation to audiences every year. Although Walt's plans for an annual "Fantasia film" were curtailed, as other projects and films took precedence, the vision of a new version of "Fantasia" remained alive at the Disney Studio. More than half a century later, this unique "work in progress" has been championed by Roy E. Disney, Walt's nephew, Chairman of the Disney Studios and Executive Producer of "Fantasia 2000," resulting in this timeless classic for the new millennium.

Walt Disney Home Video is distributed by Buena Vista Home Entertainment, a recognized industry leader. Visit the www.Fantasia2000.com Web site.

"FANTASIA 2000"

The Sequences

Symphony No. 5 (Ludwig van Beethoven) -- The forces of light and dark collide, as set to Beethoven's famous symphony.

"Fantasia 2000" introduction

"Pines of Rome" (Ottorino Respighi) -- A group of humpback whales take magical flight in an arctic fantasy land.

"Rhapsody in Blue" (George Gershwin) -- Inspired by the famous graphic style of caricaturist Al Hirschfeld, the humorous stories of several Jazz Age New Yorkers are told, set against a gorgeous landscape of New York.

Piano Concerto No. 2, Allegro, Opus 102 (Dmitri Shostakovich) -- An animated adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's classic fairy tale, The Steadfast Tin Soldier.

"Carnival of the Animals" ("Le Carnival Des Animaux"), Finale (Camille Saint-Saens) -- A fun-loving flamingo goes against the rest of the flock when he starts playing with his yo-yo. The sequence is rendered in a beautiful and rarely animated watercolor medium.

"The Sorcerer's Apprentice" (Paul Dukas) -- The classic sequence from "Fantasia" finds Mickey Mouse in over his head when he puts on a sorcerer's cap and makes a little too much magic.

"Pomp and Circumstance" - Marches 1, 2, 3 and 4 (Sir Edward Elgar) -- Donald Duck is a hilarious helper on Noah's ark, who tries to keep the animals in line while searching for Daisy.

"Firebird Suite" - 1919 Version (Igor Stravinsky) -- A fairy sprite and a noble elk bring life back to a ravaged forest in the fantastic finale to "Fantasia 2000."

DVD FEATURES

"Fantasia 2000" and the 60th Anniversary Edition of "Fantasia" will each be available as single DVDs and as part of a three-disc "Fantasia Anthology" DVD Collectors set.

 60th Anniversary Edition "Fantasia" DVD

      -- Never-before-released, uncut, restored original theatrical version of Walt Disney's film includes the original narration and intermission

      -- "Clair de Lune" animated segment

      -- "The Making of Walt Disney's Fantasia" featurette

      -- Audio Commentary by Walt Disney (created from rare archival interviews with Walt Disney, spanning three decades)

      -- Audio Commentary by Roy E. Disney, Maestro James Levine and John Canemaker, animation historian.

      -- DTS 5.0, Dolby Digital 5.0 Surround Sound, THX Optimode, THX Certified

      -- Aspect ratio: 1.33:1

"Fantasia 2000" DVD

      -- Digital-to-digital transfer

      -- Audio commentary by Roy E. Disney (Executive Producer), Maestro James Levine and Don Ernst (Producer)

      -- Audio commentary by Directors and Art Directors for each film segment

      -- Disney's Academy Award(R) winning, animated short, "Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom" (Best Short, 1953) provides a humorous look at the history of music.

      -- Animated short "Melody"

      -- Commemorative booklet, highlights the art, music and filmmaking technology brought together for the film

      -- Showcase sampler, a specially designed program offering highlights from each segment of the film

      -- "The Making of Fantasia 2000" featurette

      -- Original theatrical trailer

      -- DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, THX Optimode, THX Certified

      -- Aspect ratio: 1.85:1 -- Enhanced for 16X9 televisions

"THE FANTASIA ANTHOLOGY" THREE DISC COLLECTORS SET

Includes "Fantasia" (disc one) and "Fantasia 2000" (disc two) plus third disc "The Fantasia Legacy"

Supplemental "Fantasia" material

      -- Storyboards, concept art and character designs

      -- The Fantasia That Never Was"

      -- Animation and story reels for unproduced segments, presented with music:

      "Claire de Lune"

      "The Ride of the Valkyries"

      "The Swan of Tuonela"

      "Adventures in a Perambulator"

      "Invitation to the Dance"

      Still frame art: "The Flight of the Bumblebee," "Mosquito" and "Baby Ballet"

      -- Walt Disney highlights

      -- Music tracks

      -- Special Effects showcase

      -- Pencil tests of unused animation

      -- Still Frame Galleries: The art of "Fantasia"

      -- Trailers/Posters of "Fantasia"

      -- Historical context of each musical piece

      -- THX Certified

      -- Aspect ratio 1.33:1

      Supplemental "Fantasia 2000" material

      -- Behind-the-scenes look at each film segment

      -- Interviews with filmmakers

      -- Animation tests

      -- Storyboards, concept art and character designs

      -- Production Progression Demonstrations

      -- Deleted Animation

      -- Alternate versions

      -- Abandoned concepts

      -- Trailers/Posters of "Fantasia 2000"

      -- Historical context of each musical piece

      -- Behind the scenes "Making of Fantasia 2000"

      -- On-camera introductions and set-ups by the "Fantasia 2000" filmmakers

      -- THX-Certified

      -- Aspect ratio: 1.33:1

Contact: The Walt Disney Co. John Dreyer, 818/560-5300. Copyright 1999 Buena Vista Home Entertaiment