Pines of Rome     Stunning three-dimensional computer animation is used to bring life to a pod of whales that miraculously take flight when a supernova explodes above their iceberg-laden habitat. Director Hendel Butoy drew inspiration from Respighi's dramatic composition and noted, "It felt like the music just took off. It just soared. Our first objective was to find an idea that had to do with flight. One of our artists came up with an illustration of cloud-like images in the sky like the ones a child might imagine seeing. One drawing in particular of a whale just stood out and sparked the entire story. The music itself is lively and fun in the beginning, slower and more melancholy in the middle, and has a triumphant march at the end. The challenge was to structure a story or a concept with whales with that piece of music in mind."
About Fantasia 2000~Beethoven's Fifth Symphony~Rhapsody in Blue~The Steadfast Tin Soldier~Carnival of the Animals~The Sorcerer's Apprentice~Pomp and Circumstance~The Firebird Suite~Trailer