If ‘Fantasia’ Hadn’t Flopped 75 Years Ago, What Would Feature Animation Look Like Today?

If ‘Fantasia’ Hadn’t Flopped 75 Years Ago, What Would Feature Animation Look Like Today? "Seventy-five years ago today, Walt Disney swung for the fences with his third full-length animated feature (and his second in 1940, following Pinocchio). Fantasia has always been an experience as much as a film: over two hours long (not counting an intermission), requiring installation of a special sound system, with segments including a depiction of evolution on Earth as well as a climax wherein a demon is defeated by the inherent goodness of wandering monks. Hell, an opera commentator emcees it, for God’s sake. Little surprise, then, that in spite of its 1940s-era roadshow release, Fantasia ended up losing more money than Pinocchio, only making anything back after decades of re-releases."