The Pixar Story

Lore & Background

The Pixar Story premiered in an early version at the Sonoma Film Festival in 2007, followed by a limited theatrical run later that year. It was subsequently picked up by the Starz cable network in the United States. Outside North America, the film was released on DVD in summer 2008 as part of the 'Ultimate Pixar Collection' box set. It later appeared as a special feature on the WALL-E special edition DVD and Blu-ray releases on November 18, 2008, and again on its Criterion edition. The film also premiered on BBC Two in the United Kingdom.

Reader's Guide

The Pixar Story documents the trajectory of Pixar Animation Studios from its early days, featuring interviews with key figures such as Steve Jobs, John Lasseter, Edwin Catmull, and others. The film includes commentary from actors Tim Allen, Tom Hanks, Billy Crystal, and directors Brad Bird and James Ford Murphy, as well as Disney executives Michael Eisner and Bob Iger, and George Lucas. It also features Diane Disney Miller and animator Marc Davis. The documentary received generally positive reviews, with an aggregated score of 86% from Rotten Tomatoes based on seven reviews. Its significance lies in providing a comprehensive overview of Pixar's development, from its technical innovations to its storytelling achievements, and its impact on the animation industry. The film serves as a companion piece to other documentaries about animation history, such as Waking Sleeping Beauty.

Did You Know?

• The film was directed by Leslie Iwerks.
• An early version premiered at the Sonoma Film Festival in 2007.
• The film received an 86% aggregated score on Rotten Tomatoes based on seven reviews.