Darby O' Gill And The Little People [HD]

Wonderful escape...excellent fantasy...
I saw this in theatres when first released. I was a kid, and awestruck. Then the VHS came along. It was good. And now, the best DVD you could imagine! The film could stand on its own, and at a good price. The extras are generous...2 short documentaries, and a scripted "making of" involving Disney himself. Loads of fun! The wonderful Albert Sharpe came out of retirement to make this, and he is sharp as a tack; a thoroughly complete performance. He should've had Oscar recognition. For that matter, this film was not nominated for any Oscars at all. The sweet ballad "Irish Lass", though a hit at the time, was ignored, as well as the wonderful Special Effects...and, sadly, Sharpe's performance. The most interesting element of the film is seeing Sean Connery with hair (?); he gives a fine performance and isn't that bad a singer; good insight about how he got this role, in the extras, but I won't blab away the stuff. Janet Munro made her Disney debut, here, and he used her in many others (I...

Little People, Sean Connery and Widescreen
"Darby O'Gill and the Little People" is Disney live action fantasy at its finest. The film ably captures all the beauty and wonder of Irish folkbelief and transfers it to the screen with considerable charm, it is indeed a film the whole family can enjoy (although young kids may find the banshee a bit frightening).

Kudos to the cast, who really bring this film to life. Albert Sharpe is great as the lay about but loveable Darby O'Gill and the beautiful Janet Munro lights up every scene she's in playing Darby's daughter and Sean Connery's love interest. BTW this is the film that producers Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman found their James Bond in while casting about for a little film they were making called "Dr. No."

As to the issue of widescreen here is the official word from Disney (as included on a flyer in the DVD):

"Darby O'Gill and the Little People is presented as it was originally shot, in a 1.33;1 aspect ratio...

Sir Sean Sings!!
Disney made a slew of films in the early to middle 60's in England, and they are such great whole family films. They are releasing The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh, with the brilliant Patrick McGoohan at the same time this one comes out. I hope it's trend from Disney, because there are a lot of costume historicals that I would love to own from their British Period.

This film has long be a fav of mine. Back before Connery because forevermore in our mind James Bond, he did this nifty little Irish Drama. He is coming to take over for an Irish lord as factor, displacing an old man and his daughter. Moonlight and Magick has Connery beginning to fall for the daughter and charmed by the old man. But Da is not going down without a fight. He catches the King of the Wee People and plans of getting his three wishes.

It's done with Irish faerytale charm, Connery is proper dashing as the new hunk, (even show his South Pacific singing voice), the Irish myths are loving retold, making this a...

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