Product Details

• Actors: Roy Edward Disney, John Lasseter, Michael Eisner, Tim Burton, Christopher Emerson
• Directors: Don Hahn
• Writers: Patrick Pacheco
• Producers: Don Hahn, Connie Nartonis Thompson, Peter Schneider
• Format: Animated, Color, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English, Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: November 30, 2010
• Run Time: 86 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B003TVTRYM
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #15,664 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Waking Sleeping Beauty" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

By the mid-1980s, the fabled animation studios of Walt Disney had fallen on hard times. The artists were polarized between newcomers hungry to innovate and old timers not yet ready to relinquish control. These conditions produced a series of box-office flops and pessimistic forecasts - maybe the best days of animation were over. Maybe the public didn't care. Only a miracle or a magic spell could produce a happy ending. Waking Sleeping Beauty is no fairy tale. It's the true story of how Disney regained its magic with a staggering output of hits - "The Little Mermaid," "Beauty and the Beast," "Aladdin," "The Lion King," and more - over a 10-year period.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Insight in Disney's History, July 22, 2010

By 

David Valentin (NYC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Waking Sleeping Beauty (DVD)

I had the great opportunity to see this at a screening in NYC followed by a Q&A with the directors. It was a great look back at a bit of Disney history many people might not be familiar with. The behind the scenes turmoil, management style, and creative process, especially during the making of such great classics as The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast, make it very interesting. As an animator myself, I truly enjoyed this film. Highly recommended.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Waking Sleeping Beauty Is Eye Opening, August 11, 2010

By 

Robert - See all my reviews

This review is from: Waking Sleeping Beauty (DVD)

I was one of the folks lucky enough to see Waking Sleeping Beauty during its limited theatrical run. I must say I was bowled over by how good it is. I was not expecting a film produced by the studio that was also its subject to be unbiased, but this film does an amazing job of giving you all sides of the story. I am kind of a Disney nut. I've read many, many books on the era this film documents, including "Disney War," and this film made that period more real to me than any of them. I felt like I was a fly on the wall during those days, and that's saying a lot. Where the filmmakers found all of the great historical footage, most of which seems like someone's home movies, is something I'm sure took a lot of doing and I often wonder about. Where did it all come from? And to hear Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Katzenberg's actual voices discussing that period made it that much more real for me. That is something I've NEVER seen, or rather heard, before. This film is quite an accomplishment and something I think all companies should show to their employees. It's as much about Disney in the 80's and 90's as it is about ego, internal conflict and learning how to share the credit and spotlight. I recommend this film to everyone, whether you're a Disney animation fan or not.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended - Great Documentary, August 5, 2010

By 

Movie Fan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Waking Sleeping Beauty (DVD)

I got to see this doc at the Toronto Film Festival. It played to a packed house and a standing ovation afterwards. The movie is not just for Disney or animation fans, it also has great insight into what it takes to turn a business around, how to reinvent a creative business or corporation. I can see it being useful for business students to see. But its not just instructional, its really entertaining and emotional as well. It's full of hilarious caricatures that the animator did to poke fun at themselves and the executives. Especially moving was the section on Howard Ashman and his enormous contribution to the animated films and his far too early death. I highly recommend it! Can't wait to see the DVD extras with my family!!