Darby O'Gill and the Little People (1959)

I have absolutely never seen anything like this movie before. You have to see this movie.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Disney created cinematic wonders on his back lot in Burbank, California. Even the church steeple is matted in! So are the mountains, lush meadows, and most buildings and backgrounds. Note the traveling matte with ominous rainclouds at the climax. It's not really there, just like the seaside of "Pete's Dragon"! Disney magic all-around, utilizing the ahead-of-it's-time sodium bromide "yellow screen" process, invented by special effects genius Ub Iwerks. This required so much light it caused a true power black-out, in the City of Burbank, while filming the "Hall of the Leprechaun King" sequence. Truly enchanting with Sean Connery (Michael) and Albert Sharpe (Darby). More amazing special effects such as "Cleopatra" the horse, the "Death Coach" and the Banshee". Maybe too scary for real little kids but minor "Disneyfied" fisticuffs. The use of split screen and over-sized props make the leprechauns look absolutely real! May be too long for the youngsters, but a beautiful blend of charm, magic, music, and fantasy with a very engaging cast. You may have seen it in black and white on TV as a child, but you must see it in Technicolor. It's dazzling! I also recommend the often overlooked "The Three Lives of Tomasina", also Disney color and live action, about a mysterious cat that "may" be magical as well.

Glad to see so many people here who love 'Darby'. i've grown up with this incredible film and it always seemed like nobody else had ever heard of it. it certainly requires more attention than it's got in the past because it's just great.when i was a little kid i saw this film in the theater back in 1970 or so, and it scared the hell out of me. the shock cut of the banshee coming through the door still makes me jump if i'm not alert. this is by far Disney's scariest movie. probably the only film that Walt himself made that could be called a horror film. it's definitely as scary as any of the 'Hammer' horror flicks of the 50's and 60's.film critic Leonard Maltin called this one of the finest fantasy films ever made. he couldn't be more right. and yes, that is obviously Connery and Munro doing their own singing.

*Spoiler/plot- 1959, Darby O'Gill and the Little People, A legendary Irish fairy tale dealing with a poor old man needing money for his daughter and then leprechauns become involved with magical pot's of gold with flying horses.*Special Stars- Sean Connery plays the handsome male lead.*Theme- The world is full of wonder and magic.*Based on- Irish legends with leprechauns.*Trivia/location/goofs- A Disney film with a young heavy eyebrow ed full head of hair Connery. Be sure to watch this Disney film (that brought Connery to American Hollywood for the first time) to see and hear Mr. Connery sing, "My Fine Irish Lass'.*Emotion- A delightful vintage Walt Disney film including magic, songs and fun from the Irish legends portrayed by a great UK cast. Very much worth seeing.

In old Ireland, grandfatherly Albert Sharpe (as Darby O'Gill) is going to be replaced as castle caretaker, due to his advancing years. Instead of keeping the castle grounds tidy, Mr. Sharpe tells pub tales about his encounter with the "little people." Lord of the manor Walter Fitzgerald arrives from Dublin with young and sexy Sean Connery (as Michael McBride), to replace his retiring handyman. While Mr. Connery exchanges come-hither looks with Sharpe's pretty young daughter, Janet Munro (as Katie O'Gill), the old man plots to receive his "three wishes" from Leprechaun king Jimmy O'Dea (as Brian Connors).While Walt Disney's animated films consistently looked state-of-the-art, some of his studio's 1950s "live action" features looked a bit cheap - not so with "Darby O'Gill and the Little People". The "Special Photographic Effects" by Peter Ellenshaw and Eustace Lycett and "Animation Effects" by Joshua Meador are excellent. Director Robert Stevenson and Technicolor photographer Winton C. Hoch compliment their efforts. Witchy Estelle Winwood (as Sheelah Sugrue) and no-good son Kieron Moore (as Pony) offer fine support. The story doesn't know whether to be glossy children's fare, or dark fantasy. With its emphasis on the latter, the last act is especially memorable. The "Banshee" and "death coach" aren't too original, but they are very nicely done.******* Darby O'Gill and the Little People (6/24/59) Robert Stevenson ~ Albert Sharpe, Janet Munro, Sean Connery, Jimmy O'Dea