The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation,   ISBN:9780786860708

Customer Rating: 

This book is a masterpiece. I have several impressive Disney books of this style on my shelf, and this kills all of them.

My version was printed in 1981. This means is has nothing later than "The Rescuers," although I see from Amazon's site that there's a "revised 1995" edition floating around. I think that's merely a reprint, and does not substantially rework the text to include animated features released since 1981.

It's huge, about the size of an unabridged dictionary. If you're looking to learn about cell animation and how the Disney animators got around several thorny problems, go no further. Also hundreds of incredible glossy pictures, including conceptual sketches, background paintings, line drawings, and a whole lot else.

Customer Rating: 

I bought Walt Stanchfield's "drawn to life" books earlier in 2009, and They were good, but after reading this I appreciated Stanchfield's books so much more and understood the idea behind the "magic of Disney" so much better. After just the first 50 pages of this HUGE book you see what made Disney so special, and how involved Walt truly was in the process, and bringing his dream to 'life'. Your also introduced to some of the special animators that came through Disney's doors, and even down to personal 'gags' they pulled on each other.

It may not be a how-to book, but whether you want to get involved in animation one day, or just enjoy the history behind it/info about, I can't imagine you NOT reading this book. There are parts of it they are how-to, persay. the realization of squash and stretch, and that they have to make their characters think and have 'weight'.

Customer Rating: 

I HAD HEARD THIS BOOK REFERRED TO AS THE BIBLE OF ANIMATION! IF YOU HAVE AN APPRECIATION FOR DISNEY ANIMATION THIS REALLY HITS SOME GOOD TOPICS AND EXPLAINS CERTAIN THINGS AND GIVES BACKGROUND(HISTORY) BEHIND THE CHANGES ETC. GREAT IMAGES AND THE TEXT IS REALLY LARGE AND THEIR IS EVEN FLIP BOOK IMAGES LOCATED IN THE TOP RIGHT HAND CORNER OF SEVERAL DISNEY CHARACTERS WHO CAN BE PUT IN MOTION. I"M REALLY HAPPY WITH IT!

Customer Rating: 

I've been studying animation at [...] and this book is by far what best describes this amazing art form. As complete as it is, this book is a "must have" item for all animators or prospective animators. Full of illustrations, examples and anecdotes, The Illusion of Life is a beautiful journey through Disney's animation history.

Customer Rating: 

I first saw Disney's Pinnochio as a six year old, and it changed my life. It lead to a life-long love of art, animation, ecology, whales, and the sea.
As I grew older I was to learn that Pinnochio, along with Bambi, is regarded as among the very best, if not THE best of Disney animation. I have both these films on DVD, and any law abiding animation fan shouldn't be without them.
Nor should any animation nut be without this book. This is a most comprehensive, colourfully illustrated document of the why's and wherefore's of Disney animation.
While it goes into considerable detail, it is strictly speaking not a manual as such.
It is more designed as an insight into the mysteries of animation for the lay person, with more than enough to inspire and inform any potential animator. It covers the various aspects of the animation process, and the history of Disney animation. It is accompanied by ooddles, and oodles of full page colour photos, reproductions of animation sequences of famous Disney characters, diagrams, sections on each of the main Disney animators, and hilarious caricatures that animators did of each other.
This book is simply a "must have" for any Disney animation fan, or any animation fan period.
I am thrilled to have this book. It arrived in record time too, and well packaged.
Do yourself a favour, and get this. You'e GOT TO HAVE IT!

You won't be disappointed.