Making Magic: 100 Years of Disney
This two-month season celebrates the centenary of a studio renowned for great storytelling and imaginative artistic flair.
Image: © 2023 Disney
Part 2 – August
‘If you can dream it, you can do it.’
– Walt Disney
The second part of our expansive Disney season focuses on literary adaptations and the extraordinary array of animated creatures that Disney introduced us to.
Walt Disney’s contibution to popular culture, alongside that of the people who worked with him and the many who came after, has been enormous. At its best, the Walt Disney Company celebrates the art of storytelling. It’s at the heart of everything it produces. And over the decades, it has invested in the tools that allow it to push the boundaries of what is possible in cinema.
From the development of the multi-plane camera in the 1930’s to more recent digital innovations, Disney has always recognised the need to evolve – in the interest of both creativity and business. The company has become so much more than the dream of the person founded it. But it’s good to remember where it all began, 100 years ago, with the vision of a singular entrepreneur.
Justin Johnson, season programmer
All features in the Disney season will be preceded by a short film with the exception of Luca where the short will be played following the screening of the feature.
With thanks to
The Walt Disney Company
Talks and events
Once Upon a Time
This selection of animated and live action films features a rich array of novels and stories.
Pinocchio
Disney’s dark tale of a marionette who wants to be a real boy is one of the greatest animated films of all time.
Pinocchio + extended intro by Ben Travis and Sam Summers, Disniversity Podcast
Disney’s dark tale of a marionette who wants to be a real boy is one of the greatest animated films of all time.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
An expedition to track down a giant sea monster provides a surprising result in Disney's live-action classic.
101 Dalmatians
Pongo and Perdita will have to ask fast if they are to save their beloved puppies from the grips of Cruella De Vil in this animated adventure.
The Parent Trap
Disney’s hilarious live-action comedy finds identical twin sisters creating mischief in order to bring their parents back together.
Mary Poppins
Disney’s Oscar winning triumph combined live action with animation and features some of the Sherman Brothers finest songs.
The Jungle Book
A boy and a bear discover the joys and dangers of the Indian jungle in Disney’s take on Rudyard Kipling’s classic novel.
The Love Bug
A VW Beetle with a mind of its own creates mayhem and joy for a down on his luck racing driver in this first Herbie film from Walt Disney.
Bedknobs and Broomsticks
A trainee witch uses her magic to upgrade her bed into a mode of transport in Disney's fantastical Second World War-era tale.
Freaky Friday
The ultimate family body swap comedy from Disney showed a gentler side to the young Jodie Foster’s star persona.
Beaches
Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey excel in this unashamed 'weepie' about a friendship that lasts a lifetime.
The Little Mermaid
Mermaid Ariel is forced to make a huge sacrifice in this animated musical adventure.
Tarzan
Tarzan discovers that he is from two different worlds but can only remain in one, in Disney’s animated musical tale.
Animal Tales
Disney has always led the field in bringing animals to life. Whether they’re in their natural habitat or fictional environments, few studios have ever created such wildly imaginative worlds.
Bambi
Young Bambi must face up to the many dangers contained in the forest, in this moving Disney masterpiece.
The Rescuers
Intrepid mice Bianca and Bernard go on the adventure of their lives as they try to save a kidnapped girl.
The Lion King
Disney’s beloved tale is a richly animated musical classic about being brave enough to stand up for what you believe in.
The Lion King + Funday Sing-along
Disney’s beloved tale is a richly animated musical classic about being brave enough to stand up for what you believe in.
Finding Nemo
Two intrepid fish must confront the dangers of the ocean if they are to find missing Clownfish Nemo.
Ratatouille
A rat dreams of becoming a gourmet chef, but human fears of rodents undermine his ambitions.
Zootropolis (aka Zootopia)
A civilised, human-free animal world finds the order of things under threat when members of various species begin disappearing, with the city’s first rabbit cop suspecting a conspiracy.
Unseen on the Big Screen
Global events meant that these three great titles from Pixar remain unseen on the big screen in the UK.
Soul
Jazz musician Joe’s journey to the Great Before proves to be a life affirming experience.
Luca
Luca’s trip to the Italian mainland leads him to make an astonishing discovery, in Pixar's heartwarming and hilarious story.
Turning Red
Mei Lee steps into adolescence and makes a shocking discovery: when her emotions are high, she turns into a giant red panda.
And Finally....
Some more unmissable gems from Disney.
Dick Tracy
The renowned comic book cop hero attempts to clean up the city by taking on Big Boy Caprice, in this action-packed romp starring Warren Beatty, Al Pacino and Madonna.
Dick Tracy + intro by Ben Roberts, BFI CEO
The renowned comic book cop hero attempts to clean up the city by taking on Big Boy Caprice, in this action-packed romp starring Warren Beatty, Al Pacino and Madonna.
Sister Act
The hit comedy about a nightclub singer in witness protection, who hides as a member of an all-nun choir.
Up
Carl’s big adventure in South America is a highly original adventure story and one of Pixar’s best.
Silent Cinema: Disney’s Silent Shorts + intro
A rare chance to see this programme of early Disney black and white shorts.
At BFI IMAX
TRON: Legacy
A long-awaited return to the hi-tech world of Tron as another generation become trapped in a brutal software world.
Want more?
The Families section this month is integrated within this season.
All films are suitable for families, with advised certification for the Touchstone films featured.
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