Walt & El Grupo

In 1941, Walt Disney and a select group of his artists and writers headed out for a three-month tour of South America—a combination goodwill trip (encouraged by the U.S. government during the lead-up to World War II) and research venture for Disney. Theodore Thomas' documentary, which draws from a wealth of newsreel footage, radio broadcasts, and home movies shot by Disney and friends, is less a probing exploration of this merry band—who became known as “El Grupo”—than a colorful press release for the paternal Walt, who embarked on the excursion in the middle of a divisive strike by animators at Disney Studios. Walt & El Grupo only intermittently veers away from the photo ops and tourist tales to explore the influence of the continent's music, art, and broader culture on the creators—those few moments are glorious, but the rest is hagiography that glosses over the more complicated issues brought up in the film, such as the relationship between politics and art. Although it does offer an interesting peek into a major turning point in terms of the images and music that appeared in later Disney productions, this documentary's appeal will likely be limited to animation fans and serious cinema buffs. DVD extras include audio commentary by Thomas and historian J.B. Kaufman, three deleted scenes, and 1942's Saludos Amigos, one of the films inspired by the tour. A strong optional purchase. Aud: C, P. (S. Axmaker)