An update of the original film with new interpretations of great works of classical music.

James Earl Jones: [introducing the Carnival of the Animals] These drawing boards have been the birthplace of some of most beloved animal characters of all time. So it's no surprise that they choose for our next segment, "The Carnival of the Animals" by Camille Saint-Saƫns. Here the sensitive strains of impressionistic music combine with the subtle artistry of the animator to finally answer that age old question: What is man's relationship to nature?
[is handed a note]
James Earl Jones: Oh, sorry... That age old question: What would happen if you gave a yo-yo to a flock of flamingos?
[turns to look off-camera]
James Earl Jones: Who wrote this?
Angela Lansbury: Walt Disney described the art of animation as a voyage of discovery, into the realms of color, sound, and motion. The music from Igor Stravinsky's ballet "The Firebird" inspires such a voyage. And so we conclude this version of "Fantasia" with a mythical story of life, death, and renewal.
Steve Martin: You know what's amazing is that many of these musicians are playing for the very first time. Thanks to Steve Martin's "Master Musician Home Study Course". More about that later.
Mickey Mouse: Mr. Levine! Okay, Mr. Levine, everybody's in place for the next number.
James Levine: Thanks, Mickey. When...
Mickey Mouse: But we can't find Donald. So you stay here and stall for time, and I'll be right back.
[Exits]
Mickey Mouse: [Offstage] Donald! Oh Donald!
James Levine: When we hear Sir Edward Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance" we think of a graduation ceremony.
Mickey Mouse: Donald, where are ya?
James Levine: Actually, Elgar composed it for many kinds of solemn events.
Mickey Mouse: Donald!
James Levine: This march inspired the Disney artists to recreate the age old story...
Mickey Mouse: Donald, are you hiding in...
Daisy Duck: Aaaah!
Mickey Mouse: Oh, sorry, Daisy!
James Levine: ...of Noah's Ark, with one slight twist.
Mickey Mouse: [Knocking on door] Oh, Donald Duck!
Donald Duck: Who is it?
[Mickey and Donald's shadows are projected against a panel; Donald is in the shower]
Mickey Mouse: Donald, it's me, Mickey. You're on in 30 seconds, hurry.
Donald Duck: What? You gotta be kidding! I'm not even dressed...
[Mumbles angrily as he leaves the tub]
Mickey Mouse: [Peeking behind a wall] Psst! Okay, Jim. He's on his way. Go to the intro.
James Levine: Ladies and gentlemen, "Pomp and Circumstance," starring Donald Duck.
Steve Martin: So let me turn things over to the great Itzhak Perlman, who, I have just been informed, plays the violin. Well, so do I, big deal. Could I have my violin, please? Ahh, thank you. All right, boys, let's...
[Bow slips from his hands]
Steve Martin: Oh! Oh, sorry. Could I have another stick thingy, please? Oh, and camera back on me. Camera back on me. Ca... Am I done?
Mickey Mouse: [Pulling on Stokowski's coat] Mr. Stokowski! Mr. Stokowski!
[Mickey whistles to get Stokowski's attention]
Mickey Mouse: Just wanna offer my congratulations, sir!
Himself - Conductor: [shaking hands with Mickey] Congratulations to you, Mickey!
Mickey Mouse: Aww, gee, thanks! Hehe! Well, I gotta run now! So long!
Himself - Host: [introducing The Sorcerer's Apprentice] Ladies and gentlemen, we'd like to take a moment, if we may to talk about a little something we like to refer to as magic. Uh, picture this. You're at home, hosting a birthday party for your daughter, and you've just shelled out 50 bucks so some pathetic loser can pull a mangy rabbit out of a flea market hat. At first, you might wonder to yourself "How did he do that?" But then you would probably just dismiss it as some sort of a trick. And you know something? You'd be right! It's just a trick. It's an example of what we laughingly refer to as stage magic. We're here to tell you that all stage magic is a fraud, a hoax, a sham. It's all based on deception and, yep, lyin'. All of it. Sleight of hand...
Himself - Host: [pulling out cards]
Himself - Host: Lies. Transformations...
Himself - Host: [pulls out an axe]
Himself - Host: Fraud. Dismemberment...
Himself - Host: [cuts a fake hand]
Himself - Host: Rip-off!. Fake! All are illusions. What we're here to talk about is real magic. We're gonna bring on a guy now who's the real deal, the genuine article. In fact, he taught us everything we know. And he is featured prominently in the next sequence from the original Fantasia, "The Sorcerer's Apprentice." Y-You know, come to think of it, The Sorcerer's Apprentice is a - is, is a little guy who, uh - who never speaks and just kinda messes everything up...
[Teller cuts Penn's hair]
Himself - Host: Like him. And now -
[Teller interrupts Penn]
Himself - Host: Wha - And now, the -
[Teller pulls out a rabbit]
Himself - Host: Oh. Hi. Hi, little fella. I gotta - I gotta - And now, "The Sorcerer's Apprentice."
Himself - Host: [introducing Pines of Rome] When you hear a title like "Pines of Rome", you might think of tree-lined streets and romantic ruins. But when the Disney animators heard this music, they thought of something completely different. Here is the Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by maestro, James Levine performing Ottorino Respighi's "Pines of Rome."
Bette Middler: For example, the Danish illustrator Kay Nielsen drew these sketches for a segment inspired by Wagner's " Ride ofthe Valkyries." Here they are, and there they go. Now, Salvador Dali, you know, the "limp watches" guy, he got into the act with an idea that featured baseball as a metaphor for life. How come that didn't work? Makes perfect sense to me. Let's see. Then we had a bug ballet and a baby ballet and for a time, they even considered a sequence inspired by The Polka and The Fugue from Weinberger's "Schwanda the Bagpiper." But finally, a success. The Disney artists wanted to create a short film based on Hans Christian Andersen's wonderful fairy tale The Steadfast Tin Soldier, but they could never find the perfect musical match until now. Here is Yefim Bronfman playing the Shostakovich " Piano Concerto Number 2" and The Steadfast Tin Soldier.
Bette Middler: Hi. You may not know this, but over the years the Disney artists have cooked up dozens of ideas for new Fantasia segments. Some made it to the big screen this time, but others - lots of others - how can I put this politely?... didn't.
Pianist: [plays the piano]
Himself - Host: Beautiful, Ralph. Hi next we're gonna take you to the streets of New York City for peace that inspires by a couple of my favorite artists. First there's the illustrator, Al Hirschfeld who's been drawing celebrities and Broadway stars for most of the 20th century, and then there's composer, song writer, George Gershwin who took jazz of the streets, dress her up, and took her to the concert hall. My friend Ralph Grierson plays piano on this next number, and it all starts with a single slinky note on a clarinet, and a simple line on a piece of paper. Ladies and gentlemen, "Rhapsody in Blue".