Product Details

• Format: Animated, Color, Original recording reissued, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Gotham Distribution
• VHS Release Date: March 2, 2000
• Run Time: 72 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (72 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6305827524
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #571,433 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This 1939 animated film is based on Jonathan Swift's classic novel about a sailor stranded on an island populated by people the size of his thumb. When Gabby, the town crier, discovers Gulliver on the beach, he runs to tell the king. But the king is preoccupied with the impending wedding of his daughter, Princess Gloria, to Prince David from the neighboring kingdom. When the kingdoms can't agree on which song to play at the wedding, Gulliver is caught in the middle of a war. His common sense helps the two sides resolve their dispute, but not before a lot of adventure and romance.

A milestone in the art of animation, this was the second animated motion picture of its magnitude ever produced, after Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It has been digitally mastered and visually enhanced, making it first-rate family entertainment even today. --Elisabeth Keating

From the Actor

This fabulous animated presentation of Jonathan Swift’s classic story was only the second full-length animated feature ever produced. This story has fascinated both children and adults for centuries, and this feature brings the story to life.

THE PLOT: Gulliver, the lone survivor of a violent storm, swims ashore and falls asleep, exhausted by his ordeal. He wakes up to find himself in the strange, miniaturized kingdom of the Lilliputs. People, no taller than six inches are fascinated by the "giant" and plan to use his immense strength to defeat their enemy. Gulliver spends a delightful time with his tiny friends and steps in to prevent war between two kingdoms that were once on friendly terms.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

70 of 73 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is simply pure magic -- breathtaking!, October 29, 2000

By 

R. Lindeboom "theboomer" (Paso Robles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gulliver's Travels ( 60th Anniversary Limited Edition) (DVD)

In 1939 when this movie was released, it faced stiff competition at the Academy Awards from 'Gone with the Wind' and 'The Wizard of Oz.' Nominated for an Academy Award in 1939, it didn't win. But those who love this film will always believe that is should have. By 1939, the Fleischer Studios had been crafting the finest animation around -- they actually produced the first full length animated movie (though Disney gets the credit). This is the very best that the Fleischer Studios ever produced. Its characters are every bit as rich and deep as the very best Disney, Bluth or Spielberg-Katzenberg efforts. (Anyone who hears the classic line: "There's a giant on the beach!" -- will never forget it!) For years, I have wanted to get my hands on this and remaster this movie digitally. (I do effects and compositing for a living.) It's wonderful to see that someone who loves this movie has given it the care and respect it deserves. Max Fleischer was a sheer genius, whose work includes the original Betty Boop, Popeye, the animated Superman -- and his own contributions to film include techniques of effects production that are still used today. He was a master of his craft who, sadly, has little recognition outside artists and animators. I have bought many copies of this over the years -- usually in versions so poorly recorded and transfered that they are pitiful indicators of the Fleischer talent -- and yet, everyone I've given it to, loves the movie. My personal gratitude to Winfield Hoskins, Seymour Kneitel and Thomas Reich for your tender care in restoring such a wonderful movie. Thank you. It is truly long overdue and it is a case of giving honor to whom honor is due. This belongs right alongside the best Disney, tucked right on the shelf alongside Bluth's best -- and when the young and the young at heart ask "What is this?" -- play it. My grand daugther plays it regularly and never tires of it and always quites "There's a giant on the beach" -- and she laughs. This movie is simply pure magic -- breathtaking! Many of you will watch it and will suddenly remember seeing this long ago and your eyes will light up, just as many who I have bought it for, have said to me: "I saw this years ago and have never known what it was. I love this!" And they always smile. And I always buy more copies. The soul of a true artist lives in this movie. And this is the best edition of it that you will find. Buy it...

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Winstar outdoes them selves with this greatly restored DVD!, February 20, 2003

By 

Paul J. Mular (San Carlos, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gulliver's Travels ( 60th Anniversary Limited Edition) (DVD)

First let me say that I am not a big fan of Winstar products, but they have done the restoration job on this title that they promised. The 60th Anniversary Edition image is so sharp and pure that I got rid of my Republic Laserdisc that came from their studio masters. As typical with Winstar, they created a new stereo soundtrack, but THEY HAVE INCLUDED THE ORIGINAL MONO TRACK! I would suggest selecting the original mono track, their stereo track is distracting.
This Winstar DVD IS the ULTIMATE RESTORATION of GULLIVER'S TRAVELS on DVD!!!

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic cartoon gets the royal treatment, April 17, 2001

By 

Zack Davisson "japanreviewed" (Seattle, WA, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gulliver's Travels ( 60th Anniversary Limited Edition) (DVD)

You may or may not care about the historical or technical aspects of this film (The 2nd full length animation, after Snow White. One of two feature films to come out of the famous Fleisher Studios. The delicate use of the rotoscoping, a process by which animation cells are created by tracing them from filmed footage or photographs. A great extra documentary featuring Max Fleisher, showing how cartoons are made.) If you are a cartoon buff, these things may appeal to you.

You will probably enjoy the visual element of this film. (An entirely hand painted cartoon, like a living painting. Sensuous oceans that echo the block print style of the Japanese Ukiyo-E masters. Outstanding use of the masking effect.) If you enjoy animated art, these things should appeal to you.

Or you might just want to run around your house screaming "Giant on the Beach!" and have some fun watching a great old cartoon that never really got its due. My 4 year old nephew seems to favor this approach, no matter how much I remind him of the film's aesthetic qualities and historical importance. Go figure. Anyway, this is a great DVD, and well worth the rather small price.