Fantasymovies of the 1960s are a time capsule of an age of imagination that has gone on to inspire some of thebest fantasy movies and performancesof all time. While these films blend a variety of genres and story types,many of the most prominent fantasy movies of the decade were produced by Walt Disney Studios.Both animated and live-action films garnered great success for Disney during the ’60s, but this family-friendly fare isn’t all the decade has to offer. Darker and more adult fantasy films drew older audiences to theaters and are great projects to rewatch today.
One of the reasons it’s so fun to look back on works of speculative fiction from the 1960s is because the filmmakers had to be so creative with the use of visual effects.These projects use miniatures and beautifully constructed practical setsand make early forays into the use of animation in live-action projects. Whenmovie effects are practical instead of CGI, it immerses the viewer into the story’s world and creates a unique aesthetic that differentiates the film from other fantasy projects. Returning to the fantasy films of the ’60s transports the audience to another time.
Rex Harrison plays the magical Doctor Dolittle in the 1967 adaptationof Hugh Lofting’s novel series. It was a complicated and cumbersome undertaking to bring the film to life, and the disappointing box office performance made for a complicated legacy forDoctor Dolittle. However, the project has a lot of heart, and the many animals the movie used to create the magical world of Dolittle. Despite the underwhelming reception,Doctor Dolittlewas nominated for several Academy Awards, winning for Best Song and Best Effects.
Harrison’s performance is considered a highlight of the film, and the music is engaging for audiences of all ages.
Doctor Dolittlehas been adapted for the screen many times, and while the 1967 iteration has its issues, it’s incredibly nostalgic, especially for fans ofgreat classic movie musicals. Harrison’s performance is considered a highlight of the film, and the music is engaging for audiences of all ages.The almost surrealist tone ofDoctor Dolittlemakes it stand out from the other Disney live-action projectsand gives it an edge that translates well to the modern day.
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Dick Van Dyke and Sally Ann Howes have amazing chemistry inChitty Chitty Bang Bangas Caractacus Potts and Truly Scrumptious.Van Dyke cements his legacy as an iconic musical and children’s performer,playing the romantic lead and caring father with just as much believability and care. The frame story ofChitty Chitty Bang Bangallows the viewer to imagine that they could easily be carried away by a fantastical flying car and have the adventure of a lifetime.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bangis an amazing movie musical that feels straight out of a child’s imagination, but that’s not to say that the film doesn’t have some emotional depth.The Child Catcher is one of the most genuinely scary villains in any children’s movie,adding significant stakes and tension to the story. However, these moments of fear are easily outweighed by the striking visuals and technicolor dream that makeChitty Chitty Bang Banga familiar favorite for generations of viewers.
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The Sword in the Stone
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Disney’s animated classic The Sword in the Stone spins a new take on the tale of King Arthur of Camelot’s origins as a humble squire named Wart who wishes to become the Once and Future King. Though many have tried and failed, Wart, with the help of the all-powerful (but bumbling) magician Merlin, will embark on a quest to pull the sword form the stone and lead his country to a prosperous future.
The 1960s were a transitional period for Disney animation, as the studio wasn’t yet in the era nicknamed the Disney Dark Age, a period from 1970 to 1988 (viaMovieWeb). Though it was a hit at the box office,The Sword in the Stonewasn’t a critical smash the way other Disney projects had been in the past. Despite this,it’s garnered a cult following in the decades since it first premieredand is remembered for its unique style and the fact that the film took on such complex material.
The Sword in the Stoneabridges White’s book and makes the narrative more child-friendly, but the spirit of the legend of King Arthur is still present in the project.
A large part ofThe Sword in the Stone’s enduring nature is due to the amazing novel it draws its story from,The Once And Future Kingby T.H. White. Of course,The Sword in the Stoneabridges White’s book and makes the narrative more child-friendly, but the spirit of the legend of King Arthur is still present in the project. With fun songs and imaginative animation,The Sword in the Stoneis easy to rewatch today, sparking enjoyment for contemporary audiences.
The Sword in the Stone (1963)
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Every King Arthur Movie, Ranked Worst To Best
The Arthurian legend infused with magic and mysticism remains a popular choice for filmmakers to adapt, but which King Arthur movie ranks best?
The offbeat buddy comedyBlackbeard’s Ghostisn’t as well-remembered as some of Disney’s other live-action projectsof the 1960s. Worlds collide inBlackbeard’s Ghostas the mild-mannered professor, Steve Walker, inadvertently summons the ghost of the infamous pirate Edward Teach. Though Teach’s blustering manners are shocking to Walker, the pair quickly join forces to save a local inn to set Blackbeard free from his curse and bring Walker closer to his love interest, Jo Anne.
The director, Robert Stevenson, previously helmed some of the studio’s most successful live-action fantasy movies, and he brings the characteristic charm and whimsy toBlackbeard’s Ghostas he does his other works. Despite the somewhat unconventional story,Blackbeard’s Ghostuses its premise well and mines it successfully for classic comedic moments.Fun and well-performed by Peter Ustinov, Blackbeard, and Dean Jones, Walker,Blackbeard’s Ghosthas plenty to recommend it. Both a pirate adventure and a morality tale,Blackbeard’s Ghosthits all its marks.
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Yellow Submarine
Yellow Submarine is a Beatles film from 1968. In the animated movie, John, Paul, George and Ringo travel in a yellow submarine to Pepperland to free its people from the music-hating Blue Meanies. Yellow Submarine was one a handful of Beatles movies released during the height of the band’s popularity.
AlthoughA Hard Day’s Nightwas the first feature film that the seminal rock band The Beatles performed in,Yellow Submarineis by far their most memorable foray into the movie business. It uses a distinct animation style, incorporating the contemporary hits by The Beatles and weaving them into the narrative that appeals to the counter-cultural revolution of the 1960s. Like many other classic jukebox musicals,Yellow Submarineuses the words and themes of the original songs to influence the visuals and narrative arc of the film.
Yellow Submarinecame out during a much more experimental time in The Beatles' career, which influenced the psychedelic visuals and surreal storytelling.
Yellow Submarinecame out during a much more experimental time in The Beatles' career, which influenced the psychedelic visuals and surreal storytelling.The film is an early example of the slow transition animation has made into an art form for everyonerather than just a genre meant for younger audiences. The Blue Meanies added to this more adult atmosphere, as the antagonists are a terrifying addition to the movie. Both critical and audience reception forYellow Submarinehas propelled the project into prominence today.
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Barbarella
Barbarella is a 1968 sci-fi movie based on Jean-Claude Forest’s eponymous comic book. Jane Fonda stars as the titular space adventurer, who goes on a mission to stop the evil scientist Durand Durand in the 41st century.
Barbarellahas gone down in history as a classic fantasy sci-fi sex comedythat’s become beloved for its campy style and storytelling. Jane Fonda stars as the titular Barbarella, a space traveler from Earth looking for the movie’s antagonist, Durand Durand. Throughout her travels, Barbarella meets many interesting people and finds herself in tricky situations that she has to use her wits, and often sexuality, to get out of. While the gender dynamics ofBarbarellaare undoubtedly dated, they poke fun at the exploitation genre more than they uphold it.
The details of theBarbarellaremake starring Sydney Sweeneyare still up in the air, but the project would certainly be updated considerably for modern audiences. However, there are parts ofBarbarellathat are too iconic to be changed, like the amazing sets and costumes that bring the source material of the comic books to life.The influence ofBarbarellahas spanned generations,as both sex comedies and adaptations of comics have a lot to owe to the legacy ofBarbarella.
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fantastic voyage
An animated sci-fi series, Fantastic Voyage follows a secret government organization comprised of several unique individuals like a biologist, a scientist, and a man with mystical powers that are shrunk down to miniature size to fight against several threats that the world cannot see. The series is based on the 1966 film of the same name but only ran for one season in the 1960s.
Fantastic Voyageis set against the backdrop of the Cold War, a conflict that influenced many of the best films of the 1960s. The premise of the story is something out of aMagical School Busspecial, as a team of military personnel and scientists are shrunk down to miniature size and injected into the body of a pivotal scientist, Dr. Jan Benes. They have one hour to fix the blood clot in Benes' brain until they revert to normal size.
While this premise is undeniably outlandish, it’s dealt with perfectly in terms of tone and style,makingFantastic Voyagea classic of fantasy and sci-fi. The time constraint, coupled with the stakes that Benes is the only person who knows how to properly expand the usage of the shrinking technology, gives the film an edge and keeps the audience on the edge of their seat. Using natural elements of the human body as the antagonist in the movie is a fun subversion and makes for memorable visuals.
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Planet of the Apes
Planet of the Apes follows astronaut George Taylor (Charlton Heston) who awakes from suspended animation to find his ship crash-landing on a mysterious planet. He soon discovers that the planet is inhabited by talking apes, who have enslaved their native human population. As the only human with the capacity for speech, he resists the oppressive ape regime, all the while hoping that he can eventually find his way home.
ThoughPlanet of the Apesleans into sci-fi as well as fantasy, the revolutionary work of speculative fiction rises to the top in terms of quality and influence in every niche of filmmaking. The fact thatthe 1968 movie was so revolutionary it inspired a long-running franchisethat’s found high levels of success in the 21st century speaks to the enduring nature of the story. Charlton Heston stars as the human George Taylor, who finds himself in another world where apes have become the apex species.
Though the newPlanet of the Apesfilms are more high-tech, they owe their success to the original.
The unbelievable twist at the end ofPlanet of the Apesholds up as one of the most effective plot twists in sci-fi and fantasy, andthe philosophical questions about what it means to be human setPlanet of the Apesapart from most kitschy adventure flicks.Additionally, the quality of the sets and prosthetics used to create the apes in the film are well-made and hold up to contemporary scrutiny. Though the newPlanet of the Apesfilms are more high-tech, they owe their success to the original.
Planet of the Apes (1968)
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Jason And The Argonauts
Jason And The Argonauts is a 1963 fantasy adventure film directed by Don Chaffey. It follows Jason’s quest to retrieve the legendary Golden Fleece, aided by a band of heroes known as the Argonauts. Along their journey, they face various mythical creatures and challenges. The film is renowned for its groundbreaking stop-motion animation by Ray Harryhausen. Todd Armstrong stars as Jason, with Nancy Kovack as Medea and Gary Raymond as Acastus.
Based on the Greek myth about the hero Jason’s adventures,Jason and the Argonautsfollows the story of Jason’s quest to find the Golden Fleece and usurp the corrupt king Pelias. Starring Todd Armstrong as Jason, the film features amazing uses of animated and practical effects as Jason and his crew sail the high seas and encounter dangerous gods and monsters. Each installment of his quest sees Jason face a terrible threat but persevere in well-choreographed action sequences that thrill the audience.
10 Great Fantasy Movies Based On Greek Myths
Combining Greek mythology and fantasy films often results in depictions of myths that are both visually pleasing and grand in their storytelling.
The iconic scene when the characters fight the stop-motion skeletons was a hallmark moment in fantasy filmmaking. Unfortunately, this moment wasn’t enough to helpJason and the Argonautsmake a splash at the box office, but time has been kind to the movie’s legacy. Though the monsters aren’t the most realistic, this isn’t the point of a fantasy film likeJason and the Argonauts. While modern adaptations of Greek myths might have more advanced effects,Jason and the Argonautscaptures the spirit of its hero with ease.
Jason and the Argonauts (1963)
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Mary Poppins
Based on the classic book series by P.L. Travers, Mary Poppins stars Julie Andrews as the famous magical nanny, who arrives under mysterious means to look after the Banks children in early 1900s London. Considered one of Walt Disney’s crowning achievements, the film blends live-action and animation with whimsical storytelling and song and has been a staple children’s movie since its release in 1964.
Easily one ofJulie Andrews' best moviesand best performances,the magic of the 1964Mary Poppinscould never be recreated.Based on the book series about the magical nanny herself,Mary Poppinsupdated the story and made it a good deal more whimsical and joyous than the novels, establishing the version of Mary Poppins that most modern audiences associate with the character. Though the film received a sequel in 2018 asMary Poppins Returns, this project failed to live up to the high bar set by the original movie.
Blending animation and live-action,Mary Poppinswas well ahead of its time and perfectly balanced the emotional realism of the story with the escapistfantasyelements. A massive critical and commercial success,Mary Poppinsswept during awards season and is still considered a classic by many modern audience members. From the beautifully performed songs to the genuinely moving story, there’s little aboutMary Poppinsthat doesn’t hold up well today.
