In 1941, Walt Disney Studio was struggling and the animators went on strike.  During that time, the US government asked Walt Disney to be a cultural ambassador to South America (in an attempt to make sure that the countries didn’t side with Nazi Germany).   Walt took 18 of his key artists from the studio on the trip and gather material for animated films which lead to the making of SALUDOR AMIGOS.     WALT & EL GRUPO is the telling of that fascinating story of one part of the history of Walt Disney Studios.  The film uses 16mm movies that Walt Disney shot on the trip, photos, artwork produced during the trip, press clippings, and interviews with the people still living (and their descendants).

WALT & EL GRUPO is a tale told from both sides of the equator.   Theodore Thomas (son of animator Frank Thomas, one of the El Grupo animators) is able to tell this tale in a rich visual way.  The trip had a last effect on Walt Disney Studios in addition to how it made an impact on the USA and the world.   SALUDOS AMIGOS was one of the films inspired by the trips and it stands out against some of the usual Walt Disney animated fare of the time.   I'm glad I know about this piece of Walt Disney history.   The animation hertiage of Walt Disney has a long and varied history.   Thisdocumentary is one you should watch with WAKING SLEEPING BEAUTY to get two pieces in the history of Walt Disney Studios.   Both documentaries take place in times where teh studio was struggling only to keep rising like a phoenix.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

the audio commentary is with director Theodore Thomas and historian J.B. Kaufman (who also wrote a book on the story told in this documentary).  Kaufman reveals the South America trip was delayed due to the artists strike (and not the way the documentary makes it feel like Disney needed to get away only to come back to a changed studio).

Three deleted scenes are included in the extras in a section called FROM THE DIRECTOR'S CUT.

PHOTOS IN MOTION show rare photos are used in various ways in help telling the film's story.

SALUDOR AMIGOS- the original 1942 release version is included with Goofy smokinga cigar (removed from later versions).  Rounding out the extras are the original theatrical trailers for SALUDOR AMIGOS and THE THREE CABALLEROS.

FINAL ANALYSIS:   WALT & EL GRUPO is a fascinating tale of a trip that changed all who went on it including Walt Disney.   It is a tale of Walt Disney's history I haven't heard until now (but I have heard the Walt Disney was frozen myth which is repeated in the film).

this DVD review is (c)11-29-2010 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission.  send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com