Waking Sleeping Beauty 

“Waking Sleeping Beauty” is a documentary film released in 2009, directed by Don Hahn. The movie provides an inside look at the renaissance period of Walt Disney Animation Studios during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The documentary chronicles the tumultuous but ultimately successful period when Disney Animation, known for its classic animated films like “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “The Lion King,” and “Beauty and the Beast,” faced a decline in the 1970s and 1980s. The studio was struggling to produce successful and critically acclaimed films.

“Waking Sleeping Beauty” delves into the behind-the-scenes drama, creative conflicts, and corporate restructuring that took place during this period. It highlights the collaboration and competition between animators and executives to rejuvenate Disney Animation and bring it back to its former glory.

The film features interviews with key figures in the Disney Animation renaissance, including Roy E. Disney, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Michael Eisner, and numerous animators and directors. These interviews, along with archival footage and artwork, provide an intimate and candid portrayal of the challenges and triumphs faced by the studio.

The documentary showcases the development and release of hit films like “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin,” and “The Lion King,” which became critical and commercial successes, revitalizing Disney Animation and cementing its place in animation history.

Throughout “Waking Sleeping Beauty,” the film reflects on the artistic and creative process behind these beloved animated classics, while also exploring the personal relationships and conflicts that shaped the studio’s resurgence.

The documentary sheds light on the dedication and passion of the animators and filmmakers who worked tirelessly to bring their visions to life on the screen, and the impact these films had on the animation industry as a whole.

Overall, “Waking Sleeping Beauty” offers an engaging and informative behind-the-scenes look at a pivotal period in the history of Disney Animation. It celebrates the creative talent, determination, and teamwork that led to the studio’s resurgence and the creation of some of the most beloved animated films in cinema history. The film serves as a tribute to the power of storytelling and the magic of animation, captivating both Disney enthusiasts and general audiences alike.

Fun Facts

• “Waking Sleeping Beauty” is a documentary directed by Don Hahn, who is known for his work as a producer on several Disney animated films, including “The Lion King” and “Beauty and the Beast.”
• The documentary provides a behind-the-scenes look at the Disney animation renaissance, covering the period from the late 1980s to the early 1990s when Disney released a series of highly successful animated classics, including “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin,” and “The Lion King.”
• “Waking Sleeping Beauty” features interviews with key figures in Disney animation, including animators, directors, and executives, and offers insights into the challenges and creative processes that led to the revitalization of Disney’s animation department during that era.