Walt & El Grupo (2008/2010)
Hazel Cottrell, Bill Cottrell, Ted Sears, Lilly Disney, Walt Disney, Norm Ferguson and Frank Thomas from WALT & EL GRUPO, a film by Theodore Thomas. Courtesy Walt Disney Pictures. All rights reserved.
- Walt Disney
- Lillian Disney
- Bill Cottrell
- Hazell Cottrell
- John Rose
- Janet Martin Lansburgh
- Jack Cutting
- Norm Ferguson
- Ted Sears
- Webb Smith
- Herb Ryman
- Jim Bodrero
- Jack Miller
- Lee Blair
- Mary Blair
- Frank Thomas
- Chuck Wolcott
- Larry Lansburgh
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* Most external filmography links go to The Internet Movie Database.
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Opened: 09/09/2009 Limited
| Limited | 09/09/2009 | |
| AMC Disney 12 | 09/09/2009 - 09/24/2009 | 16 days |
| Regent Theatre | 09/11/2009 - 09/24/2009 | 14 days |
| Quad Cinema | 09/11/2009 - 09/17/2009 | 7 days |
| DVD | 11/30/2010 |
Trailer: Click for trailer
Genre: Documentary
Rated: PG for historical smoking.
Synopsis
The year was 1941, and the world was on the brink of war. In an effort to improve relations between the Americas, the Roosevelt administration called upon one of Hollywood's most influential filmmakers to embark on a special goodwill tour. Written and directed by Theodore Thomas ("Frank and Ollie") and produced by Kuniko Okubo, the documentary WALT & EL GRUPO chronicles the amazing ten-week trip that Walt Disney and his hand-picked group of artists and filmmaking talent (later known as "El Grupo") took to South America at the behest of the U.S. Government as part of the Good Neighbor Policy.
Little is known about this chapter in the life of an extraordinary man, one that Disney would later recall as "the toughest period I've had in my whole life." Within just three short years after the phenomenal success of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," the Walt Disney Studios experienced a chain of financial challenges that ultimately led to the infamous animators strike. Also during this time, the Roosevelt administration had growing concerns about Nazi and Fascist influence in Latin America, and the rest of the world was slipping further into war. In stark contrast to these trying times, Disney and his colorful group of artists found themselves on a lively trip full of hope and discovery as they explored various South American cities, spending the majority of their time in the countries of Argentina, Brazil and Chile. The group was saddled with an unusual assignment -- while gathering story material, immersing themselves in the culture, befriending local artists, meeting political leaders and attending countless functions, their journey was also a de facto diplomatic mission, and as a result, the studio produced the classic films "Saludos Amigos" and "The Three Caballeros."
Shot on film in five countries, WALT & EL GRUPO is a tale that still resonates on both sides of the equator. The film time travels in Walt Disney's footsteps through the use of personal letters and stunning artwork from the trip, remembrances by descendants and survivors, and extraordinary never-before-seen footage. WALT & EL GRUPO brings together an intertwined story of art and politics, the poignancy of a bygone age, and a legendary artist during one of his most trying times.
A Walt Disney Pictures release presented by The Walt Disney Family Foundation Films, in association with Theodore Thomas Productions, WALT & EL GRUPO was written and directed by Theodore Thomas, produced by Kuniko Okubo and executive produced by Walter E.D. Miller.
