Product Details

• Actors: Dick Van Dyke, John H. Mayer, Marian Galanis, Paul Anderson, Julie Andrews
• Directors: Jean-Pierre Isbouts
• Writers: Jean-Pierre Isbouts, Katherine Greene, Richard Greene
• Producers: Amy Boothe Green, Cathie Labrador, Howard Green, Katherine Greene
• Format: Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: G (General Audience)
• Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: March 2, 2004
• Run Time: 119 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0001AVZWG
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #73,641 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Walt - The Man Behind the Myth" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Dick Van Dyke (Mary Poppins) narrates this made-for-TV special, which focuses on the high points in Walt Disney's life and career. Over 70 friends, relatives, and associates were interviewed. Critics, however, weren't given much of a chance to have their say, which prevents Walt from presenting a fully rounded picture. Fortunately, this two-hour story of the great man's rise--and rise--makes for compelling viewing anyway. It doesn't merely cover his work, but personal life, as well. Milestones, such as his marriage, are brought to life using footage from a copious home movie collection. Furthermore, a few Disney animators do mention some of the great man's more negative traits, such as his legendary toughness, but such criticisms are passed over quickly. Smaller viewers may find it boring, but Disney fans 10 and older are sure to be riveted by this fascinating man's life story. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Product Description

From Mickey Mouse to MARY POPPINS to Disneyland and beyond, Walt Disney touched the hearts of millions with his special brand of magic. In this revealing portrait, you'll discover the man behind the myth as never before. Inspired by daughter Diane Disney Miller and hosted by Disney legend Dick Van Dyke, the film features all-new interviews with friends, family, collaborators, and experts plus never-before-seen home movies. Through good times and bad, including a brush with bankruptcy during World War II, Walt remained a driven innovator and perfectionist behind studio gates and devoted family man at home. Commemorating the 100th anniversary of his birth, WALT: THE MAN BEHIND THE MYTH offers the most intimate look yet at the man whose legacy continues to inspire the world.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A LONG OVER DUE FILM BIOGRAPHY OF WALT DISNEY November 20, 2001

By Dean W. Barickman

Format:VHS Tape

WALT: THE MAN BEHIND THE MYTH is a warm, entertaining, and fascinating look at both the public and private life of one of the greatest show-business men of the 20th Century....a man who is still influencing our world today. The never before released photos and film footage alone make this a "must" purchase. If the production has one fault, it may be that it leaves the viewer wanting more such glimpses into the life of Walt Disney. A great companion video would be THE HAND BEHIND THE MOUSE: THE UB IWERKS STORY.

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars He made the world a little better August 11, 2005

By Anthony

Format:DVD

It was great seeing a more balanced biography of Walt Disney after all these years. I felt like there have always been 2 extremes: the sugary and perfect Walt who loved children, and the diabolic Communist smasher that hated Jews.

Well, here's a news flash: he was human. Walt was a taskmaster, and perfectionist, but he was dedicated to entertaining people and making them laugh. This movie showed us how he was a 12-year old at heart, full of the vigor that made his cartoons great and prone to being naive when it came to labor and politics.

To work for Walt was probably a rollercoaster, being "under the eyebrow" one moment when he was concentrating on a project, then elated when he dispensed a single iota of praise from his gruff businessman persona. The next second he could transform himself into a character from the storyboard he was demonstrating, brimming with energy and enthusiasm like a middle-aged Huck Finn.

People have tried to villify him over the years, pecking away and trying to drag down his overly-sweet reputation perpetuated by the studio after his death. But you can say this about him: he loved childern, wanted to make people laugh, and in some small way felt that by making the childhood of others happier, he was a happy child himself.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An Inspiration July 9, 2005

By Celeste Thoms VINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

Walt Disney's grandson did a wonderful job on revealing a man who had a dream and let nothing get in his way. This documentary has nothing to do with propaganda as some people might think. It told a story that inspires anyone who watched it to go out do what they love.

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The touching and definitive story about Walt Disney March 6, 2004

By historyone VINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

I am a Disney fan plain and simple. I grew up watching "The Wonderful World of Disney", going to Disneyland more than six times in my life and visiting Walt Disney World once. I buy Disney DVD's and other products from the Disney line. However, I knew a little about the man who created the "magic" and after viewing this outstanding DVD about the life of Walt Disney, I feel like I know him so much more.

This is an account about the life and thoughts of the man who created a world where people are more happier today because of the dreams shared by Walt Disney. The film begins with Walt's childhood in Missouri and California. There are family films that are shown for the first time with the permission of the Disney family that show the love and warmth not only of Walt, but of his family and friends.

The film also tells about his early workings in creating cartoon characters, working and paying his dues in the entertainment industry of the 1920's and finally with a bold stroke, creating his own studio where Walt could finally create much of the magic that we enjoy today. The film also tells about the work and creation that went into full length animated movies such as "Snow White", "Bambi", "Pinnochio", and other classic masterpieces. Also shown is the vision that led to the construction of Disneyland and Walt's final dream...Epcot Center.

The film also has moving interviews with intimate Disney family members such as Walt and Lillian's daughter Diane, grandson Walt Elias Disney Miller, grandaughters, grandnieces and grandnephews. Close family friends such as Art Linkletter, Dean Jones, Ray Bradberry, and the late Buddy Epsen are interviewed as well as early live Disney stars such as Dean Jones....

Each give a wonderful insight into Walt Disney and all still show loving devotion to him even 37 years after his death.

Walt Disney definitely made the world a better place to live him and we can thank him for giving us a magical place to escape to everyday by watching the films, going to the amusement parks and so much more, because of his magical immagination.

Every Disney fan will enjoy watching this DVD over and over again.

Very highly recommended!! Read more ›

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars a very moving moment May 3, 2002

By "wendybird52"

Format:VHS Tape

before seeing the video, I was lucky enough to see it in a cinema with Diane Disney and Jean-pierre Isbouts in the room, in english without subtitles, playing for a belgian audience, it was in the dutch speaking part of the country (of course) and my party and I were the only french speaking people there. I couldn't stop crying during the whole movie, the emotion was just to much. I could talk to Jean-Pierre himself and his mother, forgot to take pictures and ask for autographs (stupid me)
a few days later, an american pen friend set me not exactly the video but the film taped from ABC including the commercial breaks with GREAT commercials for the parks, speeches by Michael Eisner and very touching tribute to the september11 victims by the Disney Company, I watch that tape all the time but still intend to buy the video someday, and DVD if there's one.
All those familiar faces like Frank Thomas, the Shermans... and that film enabled me to see AT LAST what Disney child stars like Karen Dotrice and Kevin Corcoran look like today (

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars DVD Review February 26, 2004

By A Customer

Format:DVD

I bought this DVD at Disneyland in the summer of 2003. At the time I was told by the sales clerk that the DVD was absolutely amazing. I didn't put much stock into what he said as he worked for Disney but when I got home and had the chance to watch it I was absolutely amazed at how good it was! It is a very well produced "inside" story on Walt's life and work. The DVD includes interviews with many people who worked with him as well as never released family videos. It is so good that I have watched it several times and come away feeling inspired each time. If you like Disneyland/Disneyworld then you will be more than pleased with this purchase (there are lots of goodies on it for the big Disney fan).