DVDizzy Forum

Posted: **Sat Sep 22, 2007 5:00 am**

Darby O'Gill and the Little People(1959)

Originally released - 26 June 1959
Director <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0829038/">Robert Stevenson</a>

Main Cast
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0789185/">Albert Sharpe</a> - Darby O'Gill
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0613130/">Janet Munro</a> - Katie O'Gill
<a href=”http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000125/”>Sean Connery</a> - Michael McBride
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0640618/">Jimmy O'Dea</a> - King Brian
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0601476/">Kieron Moore</a> - Pony Sugrue
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0936115/">Estelle Winwood</a> - Sheelah Sugrue

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Take a wee bit of ancient folklore, mix in some spectacular special effects and a magical cast (including Sean Connery) -- and you've got one of the most enchanting fantasies of all time! A frisky old storyteller named Darby O'Gill is desperately seeking the proverbial pot of gold. There's just one tiny thing standing in his way: a 21-inch leprechaun named King Brian. In order to get the gold, Darby must match his wits against the shrewd little trickster -- which proves no small task, indeed! Fall under the spell of DARBY O'GILL AND THE LITTLE PEOPLE for a fun-filled evening of magic, mirth, and nonstop shenanigans!
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Sean Connery singing? You betcha! An elderly old storyteller is relieved from his duties by a younger man. Old Darby believes in the magic folk who dwell nearby and wishes to catch the king of the leprechauns to get his three wishes. As he tries to fool and trick the little king, his daughter and the young man brought in to replace Darby begin to fall for each other. The film whilst having a strong story and great acting is only part of what has made this movie a milestone in Disney history.

The main reason this is one the finest films in the studios history is that this is a film which brought us stunning effects. Techniques which dazzled audience, which are still used today and almost 50 years on the effects of this film are still stunning. Whilst certain effects are slightly dated, such as the banshee and coach, there are some effects where even today you’d be hard pushed to work out how they did it.

This DVD has one of my favourite bonus features on any DVD anywhere. It’s only 10 minutes long, but it really makes you marvel at the dedication and effort that went into the effects. I mean the scene where Darby first visits king Brian was made by filming Darby through a hole that had been scratched in a mirror. The mirror reflects the leprechauns from a distance, but the camera simply sees a full sized human surrounded by tiny leprechauns. I mean, that is just ingenious, and looking at the actual film, it doesn’t look like some crude camera trickery at all. What really baffles me about this film is that more recent films have less convincing effects. I mean films from the 60s, 70s, 80s and even some from the 90s have effects which are dated and stand out a mile, but here is some truly stunning work from the 50s which even when watched today on the clarity of DVD still look amazing!

I think this film is the point at which you can see the smash hits of the early 60s were definitely on their way. If you love Mary Poppins, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Pollyanna, The Parent Trap etc and have never seen this film, get down to your local store now!

On a completely seperate note, whilst putting this together I noticed Janet Munro was born in my home town!

Posted: **Sun Sep 23, 2007 9:30 am**

To me this is easily among the best Disney films ever, making it one of the best films ever, period. 99% of the effects are outstanding, the characters/cast are excellent, the whole film is charming (a St. Patrick's Day must watch), great music, and Janet Munro's Katie is just heavenly. Great DVD too. Love the extras! Fantastic that they included "I Captured the King of the Leprechauns!" It wouldn't have been right to release it without that one!

Posted: **Sun Sep 23, 2007 10:52 am**

Speaking of "I Captured the King of the Leprechauns", it seems Disney really went all out for the promotion of this movie and making people believe that the leprechauns were real.

There are a number of film such as The Parent Trap starring "Hayley Mills and Hayley Mills" were they tried to draw the audience into believing the magic was real.

But in "I Captured..." we get to see Walt Disney act, and the dedication at the beginning of the film all try to make it real. Something that wouldn't happen today to such an extent. And when it does it is usally so cheap and condescending.

Posted: **Sun Sep 23, 2007 11:38 am**

I have to give credit to the Blair Witch documentary that came out before the film though. In fact, ha, it was waaay better than the film and was almost believable. The one for "Underworld" was a joke though, ha.

Posted: **Tue Jul 09, 2019 2:25 am**

Find Out About 007’s Lucky Break and Other Magical Facts from Darby O’Gill and the Little People
https://d23.com/8-magical-facts-about-w ... le-people/

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