Buena Vista Distribution, the film distribution arm of The Walt Disney Company, wasn’t always the powerhouse it is today. Its very first feature-length release, marking a significant shift in Disney’s business strategy, was White Wilderness, a live-action nature documentary released in 1958.
The Birth of Buena Vista and Its Initial Goals
Founded in 1953, Buena Vista Distribution emerged from a necessity to break free from the often-restrictive deals with established distributors like RKO Radio Pictures. Walt Disney, a shrewd businessman as well as an artist, recognized that maximizing the profitability of his films required more control over their distribution and marketing. This realization led to the formation of Buena Vista, named after the street where the Disney Studios was located in Burbank, California.
Initially, Buena Vista focused on re-releasing classic Disney animated features and distributing Disney’s live-action films, television shows, and even educational materials. The goal was simple: to ensure Disney’s creations reached audiences worldwide with the company retaining more of the revenue. This marked a significant shift in Disney’s approach to the film industry.
The Road to Feature-Length Films
While animated features were the cornerstone of Disney’s artistic reputation, Buena Vista’s early years saw a focus on a broader range of content to establish itself as a reliable and capable distributor. Live-action films like The Living Desert (1953), which won an Academy Award, proved highly successful and paved the way for future nature documentaries and adventure films. However, the eventual move into distributing feature-length animated films under the Buena Vista banner was inevitable, building upon Disney’s established animation legacy.
White Wilderness: A Controversial First
White Wilderness is a Canadian nature documentary filmed in 1958, produced by Walt Disney Productions. Although it’s not the first animated feature, this film holds the distinct honor of being the very first feature-length film released by Buena Vista Distribution. The film is part of Disney’s True-Life Adventures series and documents wildlife in the Arctic regions of Canada.
The “Lemming Suicide Myth”
The film is notorious for a sequence showing what appeared to be a mass suicide of lemmings jumping into the ocean. This scene, heavily criticized over the years, contributed significantly to the popular (but false) belief that lemmings deliberately jump to their deaths when their populations become too large. In reality, the lemmings were forced off a cliff by the filmmakers for the purposes of creating drama, a fact that undermines the film’s claim to be a purely observational documentary. This unethical practice casts a long shadow over White Wilderness and raises important questions about the ethics of nature filmmaking.
Impact and Legacy
Despite the controversy, White Wilderness was a commercial success and won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. It showcased Disney’s ability to create engaging and visually stunning nature films, even if those films sometimes blurred the lines between reality and entertainment. It established Buena Vista as a distributor capable of handling large-scale productions and reaching a wide audience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about Buena Vista Distribution and its early history:
FAQ 1: What type of films did Buena Vista initially distribute?
Buena Vista initially distributed a wide range of content, including re-releases of classic Disney animated films, original live-action films produced by Disney, television shows like The Mickey Mouse Club, and educational films. This diverse portfolio helped them establish themselves in the market.
FAQ 2: Why was Buena Vista created in the first place?
Buena Vista was created primarily to gain greater control over the distribution and marketing of Disney’s films and other content. Walt Disney believed that by cutting out the middleman (RKO Radio Pictures in this case), Disney could retain more of the profits.
FAQ 3: What were the main advantages of having its own distribution company?
Having its own distribution company allowed Disney to control release dates, marketing strategies, and overall presentation of its films. It also enabled them to negotiate better deals with theater owners and international distributors.
FAQ 4: Was White Wilderness a critical success at the time of its release?
Yes, White Wilderness was a critical and commercial success upon its release. It won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature and was praised for its stunning visuals and captivating portrayal of Arctic wildlife.
FAQ 5: What exactly is the controversy surrounding the “lemming suicide” scene in White Wilderness?
The controversy centers around the fact that the lemmings were deliberately forced off a cliff by the filmmakers, rather than spontaneously jumping to their deaths. This manipulated footage created the false impression that lemmings engage in suicidal behavior.
FAQ 6: Did Walt Disney himself direct White Wilderness?
No, Walt Disney was the producer of White Wilderness, but he did not direct it. James Algar directed the film. Algar was a veteran of Disney animation, having worked on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and other classics.
FAQ 7: How did White Wilderness contribute to Buena Vista’s growth?
White Wilderness‘s success demonstrated that Buena Vista could effectively distribute and market a feature-length film to a wide audience. This helped establish the company’s credibility and pave the way for distributing more ambitious projects.
FAQ 8: Did Buena Vista distribute animated films other than Disney’s own productions?
While primarily focused on Disney’s own animation, Buena Vista occasionally distributed animated films from other studios, particularly in international markets. However, Disney’s own animated features remained their core focus.
FAQ 9: When did Buena Vista start distributing Disney’s animated feature films internationally?
Buena Vista started distributing Disney’s animated features internationally fairly early in its history. By the late 1950s and early 1960s, they had established distribution networks in many countries. This global reach was crucial to Disney’s long-term success.
FAQ 10: What impact did Buena Vista have on the film industry as a whole?
Buena Vista’s success demonstrated the power of vertical integration in the film industry, inspiring other studios to exert more control over their distribution channels. It also set a new standard for marketing and promoting films.
FAQ 11: Is White Wilderness still readily available for viewing today?
Yes, White Wilderness is available on DVD and can be streamed through various online platforms. However, the controversial “lemming suicide” scene is often accompanied by disclaimers or commentary addressing its misleading nature.
FAQ 12: What is Buena Vista’s current role within The Walt Disney Company?
Today, Buena Vista Distribution operates under the name Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, serving as the primary theatrical distribution arm for Walt Disney Studios, including Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, and 20th Century Studios. It remains a critical component of Disney’s global entertainment empire.