Plot: What’s it about?
Ireland is filled with incredible stories of adventure, mystical beings, and of course, lots of gold, with storytellers around every corner. Of all the spinners however, perhaps none can tell taller tales than Darby O’Gill (Albert Sharpe). He has stories of all kinds, yarns about magical encounters, strange lands, and hidden riches. He is an old man now, but he has been part of some wild escapades, or at least so he claims. His most famous tales focus on the mystical legends of Ireland, such as banshees and more often than not, leprechauns. The little people have been the focus of countless stories over time, but no one talks about them than old Darby. But even so, no one really believes his tales of leprechauns and with good reason. When he gets some bad news and learns he has to retire, he tries to hide the facts from his daughter, then ventures to his old grounds, the same place he claims the leprechauns reside. But when he falls down the well, he discovers his tales were true, though he never knew it himself until now. He is welcomed into the world of the little people, but he wants his three wishes, which the leprechauns are reluctant to grant. But then Darby kidnaps the leprechaun king and holds him captive for his wishes. What will become of Darby’s life and will anyone ever believe this story?
Disney has become rather lackluster in recent times, with mediocre animated features and even less impressive live action projects. A few hits, but mostly misses, outside of surrogate productions through studios like Pixar and Miramax. But that hasn’t always been the case, as The Mouse House was once atop the cinematic world, with films the whole family could love. One such film was Darby O’Gill and the Little People, a whimsical tale that has adventure, humor, and even some magical elements. Robert Stevenson directs with skill and his dedication was rewarded with numerous directiorial duties on later Disney live action projects. He is able to bring the best out in his gifted cast, even when they’re dealing with special effects, not fellow actors. In modern cinema, blue screens and such are so common, actors have little concerns, but back in 1959, I think Stevenson had more woes in that department. Sean Connery (Dr. No, Time Bandits) is great in this early performance, while Janet Munro (The Crawling Eye, Cry Wolf), Albert Sharpe (Royal Wedding, Brigadoon), and Jimmy O’Dea (Cheer Boys Cheer, Casey’s Millions) provide solid supporting turns. This is a rare film that both kids and adults should enjoy, so no matter how old you are, Darby O’Gill and the Little People is well worth a look.
Video: How does it look?
Darby O’Gill and the Little People is presented in full frame, as intended. This is a great looking transfer too, with a clean source print that is sure to delight fans. I saw some slight grain and debris, but nothing serious and this print looks excellent. I was also pleased to note only minimal softness at worst, which means the visuals are crisp and pleasant. I found colors to be bright and bold, with only minor fades evident, while contrast is smooth and consistent. All in all, a terrific presentation that provides the film’s best home video treatment to date.
Audio: How does it sound?
The soundtrack provided here is the original one, but the one used in some releases to make the accents sound more American. So fans can rest easy on that issue, but does the audio deliver in terms of overall performance? Yes and no. You can’t expect that much from mono, as the dated soundtrack lacks depth and presence. This is kind of a surprise, as Disney often includes full surround remixes, even on older family aimed releases. Even so, this film doesn’t need the extra boost in most scenes. The audio is clear and clean, with no real problems to mention, aside from some thin dialogue at times. This disc also includes a French language track, as well as subtitles in English, Spanish, and French.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc includes an interview with Sean Connery, a look at the film’s special effects, and a vintage episode of Disneyland that focuses on the picture. Walt Disney himself serves as our host as we venture to Ireland, learn about local legends, hear stories from Darby O’Gill, and find out a little about the production itself. This is a terrific piece that adds a lot to this release, especially since such vintage materials aren’t often available.
