GUEST COLUMN: 4 of the Best Films and Series About Walt Disney

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4 of the Best Films and Series About Walt Disney

by Lewis Robinson

Walt Disney is a prolific figure in popular culture. His influence has spanned a multitude of decades, and it's doubtful that this will stop anytime soon. Because of this, it's important to learn about the man behind the mouse. Who was he really? How did he become such an icon? If this is something you're interested in pursuing, here are four of the best films and series about Walt Disney. 

1. The Imagineering Story

The Imagineering Story is a series that came out very recently, and it took Disney lovers by storm. The documentary is an engaging and informative look into the Walt Disney theme parks. It covers a long length of time, from the conception of the parks to the latest attractions added. Despite this, it most decidedly revolves around Walt Disney's influence, even after his death. While there were certainly times when the studio seemed to leave Walt's beliefs behind, none seemed to last very long. Undeniably, the beginning of the series is the most engaging. Why? Because it shows how innovative Disney and his Imagineers were. There was far less sophisticated technology available back then, not to mention that the concept of a family theme park was unheard of. Against the odds, and despite a disastrous opening day, Disney managed to become an outrageous success. By the end of this series, you'll probably be wondering how to get a Disney World tickets discount.

2. Walt Before Mickey

While Walt Before Mickey isn't a classically styled documentary, it provides a fact-based view of Walt Disney's early life. In fact, the film is based on the book Walt Before Mickey: Disney's Early Years. Essentially, the movie covers Walt's childhood to his invention of Mickey Mouse. One reason why this film is so impactful is its humanization. In this day and age, Walt Disney is viewed as a powerful and mystical figure. He seems larger than life in popular culture. However, Disney wasn't a perfect or mythical individual. He was a real human being with struggles and failures. By showing this, Walt Before Mickey inspires viewers to follow in Disney's footsteps. It encourages audiences to follow one's heart and dream big. 

3. Saving Mr. Banks

Saving Mr. Banks is by no means the most factual film ever made. However, its message is one that rings true regarding Disney's legacy. While Saving Mr. Banks does follow Walt Disney and his company, it mostly revolves around the writer P. L. Travers (the author of the Mary Poppins series). When Mary Poppins' rights were being negotiated between Travers and Disney, there was some well-known tension. Travers wasn't a fan of Disney's Mary Poppins interpretation, and she made her opinion known. Saving Mr. Banks is a dramatization of these events. At its core, the film is about embracing your inner child and welcoming happiness. Travers is unable to enjoy a fairytale version of her book, especially since it had such a connection to her difficult childhood. Instead of trying to steamroll her, the movie depicts Disney helping Travers deal with her past. Saving Mr. Banks may not be the most magical interpretation of Disney's legacy, but it displays the importance of the company's values.

4. The Boys

The Boys is a documentary that explores the lives of the Sherman Brothers - Richard and Robert Sherman. Despite this, it has a lot to do with Walt Disney and his company. After all, Disney is the one that made the brothers international icons. The film shows how closely Disney and the Boys worked together. Since the produced songs (including “It's a Small World,” “A Spoonful of Sugar,” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”) are incredibly iconic, watching this journey is very interesting. There's even some video footage of Disney and The Sherman Brothers playing together. So, although the documentary may not be centered around Disney, it shines a light on his passion and engagement. It's clear how deeply he cared about every element of his projects, even the music. 

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