Fantasia debuted as a roadshow theatrical release under Walt Disney Productions at The Broadway Theatre in New York City on November 13, 1940.[12] The two-hour, twenty-minute engagement[30] featured a 15-minute intermission, and a program booklet illustrated by Gyo Fujikawa that was given to audience members.[12] The film was shown in only 14 theatres, as the installation of equipment required for Fantasound at each venue was costly.[31] Twelve of these were legitimate theaters, not movie theaters, due to the need to close the venue while installing the wiring for multichannel sound.[32] The high overhead of the roadshow presentations, in addition to the film's large production cost, prevented Fantasia from making a profit during its initial release.
In 1990, Fantasia was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant .[69] The film is featured in three lists that rank the greatest American films as determined by the American Film Institute. Fantasia ranked #58 in 100 Years... 100 Movies in 1998[70] before it was dropped from its 10th Anniversary revision in 2007,[71] though it was nominated for inclusion.[72] The 10 Top 10 list formed in 2008 placed Fantasia at #5 under Animation.[70]
In 1990, Fantasia was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant .[69] The film is featured in three lists that rank the greatest American films as determined by the American Film Institute. Fantasia ranked #58 in 100 Years... 100 Movies in 1998[70] before it was dropped from its 10th Anniversary revision in 2007,[71] though it was nominated for inclusion.[72] The 10 Top 10 list formed in 2008 placed Fantasia at #5 under Animation.[70]
Seen decades later, much of the film's imagery continues to astonish, even when compared with modern, computer-enhanced extravaganzas. At the time the movie was made, the Disney factory was at the absolute peak of its powers. Fantasia exhibits a stunning attention to detail that would never again be duplicated (a result of the movie's initial box office failure). a"The Sorcerer's Apprenticed" remains a tour de force of music, character animation, and photographic effects.
