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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Purportedly one of Walt Disney's most personal pet projects, Darby O'Gill shows the effort and care put into it. Even now the special effects hold up shockingly well. Darby O'Gill is an estate caretaker, but in his advanced years he's more fond of telling tall tales in the local pub about the wee folk than keeping the grounds. A new man (a very youthful Sean Connery) is sent in to take his place, and O'Gill doesn't know what will become of himself and his daughter. He snags three spectacular opportunities, however, when he catches the king of the leprechauns. This film is whimsical without being silly, supernatural without being outlandish, and all and all a treat for the whole family. --Keith Simanton
Product Description
Production on the 1959 film began in the mid-1940s when Walt Disney discovered H. T. Kavanagh's "Darby O'Gill" stories and in 1946, sent artists to Ireland for background material.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
98 of 100 people found the following review helpful
By R. Gawlitta
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I saw this in theatres when first released. I was a kid, and awestruck. Then the VHS came along. It was good. And now, the best DVD you could imagine! The film could stand on its own, and at a good price. The extras are generous...2 short documentaries, and a scripted "making of" involving Disney himself. Loads of fun! The wonderful Albert Sharpe came out of retirement to make this, and he is sharp as a tack; a thoroughly complete performance. He should've had Oscar recognition. For that matter, this film was not nominated for any Oscars at all. The sweet ballad "Irish Lass", though a hit at the time, was ignored, as well as the wonderful Special Effects...and, sadly, Sharpe's performance. The most interesting element of the film is seeing Sean Connery with hair (?); he gives a fine performance and isn't that bad a singer; good insight about how he got this role, in the extras, but I won't blab away the stuff. Janet Munro made her Disney debut, here, and he used her in many others (I liked her in "Swiss Family Robinson"). I don't know what happened to her. She later gave a remarkable performance in "The Day the Earth Caught Fire"; I really like her a lot. She is a natural beauty. This is PURE Disney...sweet, serious, and especially, great for kids. Let the fantasy take them to another place, as it did for me, when I first watched it. It's Albert Sharpe, though, that gives the crowning performance of his wonderful career. Watch it. Love it. Always believe...
63 of 63 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
"Darby O'Gill and the Little People" is Disney live action fantasy at its finest. The film ably captures all the beauty and wonder of Irish folkbelief and transfers it to the screen with considerable charm, it is indeed a film the whole family can enjoy (although young kids may find the banshee a bit frightening).
Kudos to the cast, who really bring this film to life. Albert Sharpe is great as the lay about but loveable Darby O'Gill and the beautiful Janet Munro lights up every scene she's in playing Darby's daughter and Sean Connery's love interest. BTW this is the film that producers Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman found their James Bond in while casting about for a little film they were making called "Dr. No."
As to the issue of widescreen here is the official word from Disney (as included on a flyer in the DVD):
"Darby O'Gill and the Little People is presented as it was originally shot, in a 1.33;1 aspect ratio. When released to theaters in 1959, the studio recommended projecting the image at 1.75:1, to satisy the public's growing appetite for widescreen movies. To give the illusion of this wider image, theaters often needed to crop films at that time, and some of the picture was not seen. The following presentation has not been cropped, and none of the original image has been lost"
Hopefully that settles the issue of Disney "ruining" this film with this DVD release. So, buy the movie, pop some popcorn and settle in for a grand evening's entertainment!
Kudos to the cast, who really bring this film to life. Albert Sharpe is great as the lay about but loveable Darby O'Gill and the beautiful Janet Munro lights up every scene she's in playing Darby's daughter and Sean Connery's love interest. BTW this is the film that producers Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman found their James Bond in while casting about for a little film they were making called "Dr. No."
As to the issue of widescreen here is the official word from Disney (as included on a flyer in the DVD):
"Darby O'Gill and the Little People is presented as it was originally shot, in a 1.33;1 aspect ratio. When released to theaters in 1959, the studio recommended projecting the image at 1.75:1, to satisy the public's growing appetite for widescreen movies. To give the illusion of this wider image, theaters often needed to crop films at that time, and some of the picture was not seen. The following presentation has not been cropped, and none of the original image has been lost"
Hopefully that settles the issue of Disney "ruining" this film with this DVD release. So, buy the movie, pop some popcorn and settle in for a grand evening's entertainment!
79 of 83 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Disney made a slew of films in the early to middle 60's in England, and they are such great whole family films. They are releasing The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh, with the brilliant Patrick McGoohan at the same time this one comes out. I hope it's trend from Disney, because there are a lot of costume historicals that I would love to own from their British Period.
This film has long be a fav of mine. Back before Connery because forevermore in our mind James Bond, he did this nifty little Irish Drama. He is coming to take over for an Irish lord as factor, displacing an old man and his daughter. Moonlight and Magick has Connery beginning to fall for the daughter and charmed by the old man. But Da is not going down without a fight. He catches the King of the Wee People and plans of getting his three wishes.
It's done with Irish faerytale charm, Connery is proper dashing as the new hunk, (even show his South Pacific singing voice), the Irish myths are loving retold, making this a delight anytime, but a must for St. Paddy's day!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Kid's Movie for Adults
This is one of the classic movies from the sixties starring Albert Sharpe. Although this movie is predominantly about an old curmudgeon and his experiences with the Leprachauns of... Read more
Published 3 days ago by Scott Schenk
1.0 out of 5 stars
not for show in the USA
I was not aware that if you go to the Amazon website that one needed to be aware that some of their videos are for viewing only in a different country. Read more
Published 3 days ago by Rudy
1.0 out of 5 stars
Not Pleased With Outcome
It did take me sometime to try this out that's my fault. But this disc would not play in any of our machines. Don't know why so we are very disappointed. Read more
Published 4 days ago by Stephen Rozewicz
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Family Movie
This is a good family movie if you have young kids. Though I still have no idea where that banshee came from.
Published 18 days ago by MangoWOW
5.0 out of 5 stars
movie
I just love this movie as me and my wife have watched it, I love the wisdom of this movie.
Published 20 days ago by Harold Beach
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fav old movie
This movie has been a favorite of mine ever since I was a little boy and enhoyed watching again and the whole family would enjoys
Published 21 days ago by Byron
5.0 out of 5 stars
wonderful
I love Sean Connery and any musicial it's a great Irish movie. Also great for the family on St Patrick's Day.
Published 21 days ago by Toni Mattson
5.0 out of 5 stars
An essential classic film
I loved this film when I first saw it as a child, and I still love it now. A must see for all ages.
Published 22 days ago by jenny
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding!
My wife and I were looking for something fun for St. Patrick's Day and subscribed to this. Fantastic acting, very funny characters with interesting personalities. Read more
Published 27 days ago by Charles Stratton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great movie
I remember watching this movie many years ago and being Irish it brings to me my origins and wants me to move to Ireland
Published 27 days ago by Sheryl R. Bieu
