Search - Waking Sleeping Beauty on DVD

Wonderful Insight in Disney's History

David Valentin | NYC | 07/22/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Highly Recommended - Great Documentary

Movie Fan | 08/05/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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!!"

Waking Sleeping Beauty Is Eye Opening

Robert | 08/12/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

An Excellent Documentary - a Must See

B. | 08/05/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This picture is both charming and profound. The documentary perfectly shows how it is that a group of talented people can come together and create something wonderful and inspiring - and then how they can destroy it through ego and selfishness. The whole thing was very Shakespearean to me - and the honesty and insight with which the inside story is revealed is unheard of in Hollywood. This is not a fluff piece. I recommend this film to anyone who is interested in how Hollywood or any business involving creativity works - or doesn't work. I've seen it twice and I was moved and enlightened both times."