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{{Short description|Film attraction at Epcot}}
{{italic title}}
{{italic title}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2013}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2013}}
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| caption =
| caption =
| location = Epcot
| location = Epcot
| section = [[Epcot#World Showcase|World Showcase]], [[France (Epcot)|France]]
| section = [[Epcot#World Showcase|World Showcase]] ([[France Pavilion at Epcot|France Pavilion]])
| status = Open
| status = Operating
| cost =
| cost =
| soft_opened =
| soft_opened =
| opened = October 1, 1982
| opened = October 1, 1982
| closed =
| closed =
| previousattraction = <!--If there is an appropriate article, this should be linked.-->
| replacement = <!--If there is an appropriate article, this should be linked.-->
| replacement = <!--If there is an appropriate article, this should be linked.-->
| coordinates = <!--Use ONLY if attraction is at one park. Use {{coord}}-->
| coordinates = <!--Use ONLY if attraction is at one park. Use {{coord}}-->
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| designer = [[Walt Disney Imagineering|WED Enterprises]]
| designer = [[Walt Disney Imagineering|WED Enterprises]]
| model =
| model =
| theme = Tour of France
| theme = Sights of [[France]]
| music = Arranged by [[Buddy Baker (composer)|Buddy Baker]]; includes works by Boieldieu, Debussy, Offenbach and Saint-Saëns
| music = Arrangement by [[Buddy Baker (composer)|Buddy Baker]]; includes works by Boieldieu, Debussy, Offenbach and Saint-Saëns
| height_ft = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| height_m = <!--Must be expressed in metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| drop_ft = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| drop_m = <!--Must be expressed in metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| length_ft = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| length_m = <!--Must be expressed in metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| speed_mph = <!--Must be expressed in miles per hour and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| speed_km/h = <!--Must be expressed in kilometres per hour and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| sitearea_sqft = <!--Must be expressed in square feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| sitearea_sqm = <!--Must be expressed in square metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| gforce =
| capacity =
| capacity =
<!--Use only one of vehicles, rows, participants, or audience-->
<!--Use only one of vehicles, rows, participants, or audience-->
| vehicle_type =
| vehicles =
| riders_per_vehicle = <!--Only use if vehicles has been specified.-->
| rows =
| riders_per_row = <!--Only use if rows has been specified.-->
| participants_per_name= <!--Only use if neither rows or vehicles is applicable.-->
| audience_capacity = <!--For shows-->
| audience_capacity = <!--For shows-->
| duration = 18:00
| duration = 18:00
| restriction_ft = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| restriction_in = <!--Must be expressed in inches and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| restriction_cm = <!--Must be expressed in centimetres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| virtual_queue_name =
| virtual_queue_image = <!--Use ONLY the filename, not a full [[Image:]] link-->
| virtual_queue_status= <!--should be available if above fields are used-->
| single_rider = <!--Must be "available" if available.-->
| pay_per_use = <!--Must be "available" if available.-->
| custom_label_1 =
| custom_label_1 =
| custom_value_1 =
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}}
}}


'''''Impressions de France''''' (''Impressions of France'') is a film about [[France]] and the featured attraction in the [[France (Epcot)|France Pavilion]] of [[Epcot]]'s [[World Showcase]] at [[Walt Disney World]] in Florida. The movie is projected onto five adjacent screens, giving 200° coverage and resembling a [[Cinerama]] Screen, in which one giant, curved screen stretches so wide that the edges are at the peripheral vision of the average person. (This is not a [[Circle-Vision 360°]] Theatre, in which a person stands and turns to look at 9 screens all around them with a projector between every pair of screens. The Canada and China films in the World Showcase are in Circle-Vision 360° Theatres.)
'''''Impressions de France''''' (''Impressions of France'') is a film about [[France]] and the featured attraction in the [[France (Epcot)|France Pavilion]] of [[Epcot]]'s [[World Showcase]] at [[Walt Disney World]] in Florida. The movie is presented in the '''Palais du Cinéma''' (''Cinema Palace'') building and projected onto five adjacent screens, giving 200° coverage and resembling a [[Cinerama]] Screen, in which one giant, curved screen stretches so wide that the edges are at the peripheral vision of the average person, unlike [[Circle-Vision 360°]] found at the [[Canada Pavilion at Epcot|Canada pavilion]] and the [[China Pavilion at Epcot|China pavilion]].


==Synopsis==
==Synopsis==
''Impressions de France'' is one of the original Epcot park attractions, which has been playing every day since the park opened in 1982. It is also recognized, by the Guinness World Records as holding the world record for the "longest running daily screening of a film in the same theater."<ref name="Impressions de France - 35 Years">{{cite web|url=http://guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/495384-longest-running-daily-screening-of-a-film-in-the-same-theatre|title=Impressions de France: Longest running daily screening of a film in the same theater|publisher=[[Guinness World Records]]|access-date=}}</ref> The film sweeps pavilion guests into a tour of the French countryside, major cities, various regions and important structures. Set to a musical score written and arranged by [[Buddy Baker (composer)]], the film encompasses the music of classical French composers such as [[Claude Debussy]] and [[Camille Saint-Saëns]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.srsounds.com/forum/showthread.php?10299-Why-Impressions-de-France-is-the-best-movie-ever-made-for-a-theme-park |title=Why ‘Impressions de France’ is the best movie ever made for a theme park |publisher=[[Theme Park Insider]] |date=December 17, 2008 |first=Robert |last=Niles |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221023437/http://www.srsounds.com/forum/showthread.php?10299-Why-Impressions-de-France-is-the-best-movie-ever-made-for-a-theme-park |archivedate=December 21, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The film is the work of director Rick Harper<ref name="Niles">{{cite news |url= http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201003/1750/ |title= 2010 Best Theme Park Attraction nominee: Epcot’s Impressions de France |publisher=[[Theme Park Insider]] |date=March 8, 2010 | first=Robert | last=Niles}}</ref> and written and co-produced by two-time Academy Award nominee [[Bob Rogers (designer)|Bob Rogers]].<ref name="Niles"/><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.mouseplanet.com/9477/Bob_Rogers_Theme_Park_Storytelling |title= Bob Rogers: Theme Park Storytelling |publisher=[[mouseplanet.com]] |date= January 12, 2011 }}</ref><ref name="Impressions de France">{{cite web|url=http://www.brcweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Impression-of-France-Credits.pdf|title=France Pavilion, EPCOT: Impressions de France|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=BRC Imagination Arts|access-date=}}</ref> The film's aerial views, mixed with closer views, include, the [[Eiffel Tower]], the [[Champs-Élysées]] and the [[Arc de Triomphe]], the [[French Alps]], [[Palace of Versailles|Versailles]], scenes from [[Cannes]], [[Notre Dame de Paris]] and scenes from [[Normandy]]. The movie is presented with a lively classical soundtrack and narrated by Claude Gobet.
''Impressions de France'' is one of the original Epcot park attractions, which has been playing every day since the park opened in 1982. It is also recognized by the Guinness World Records as holding the world record for the "longest running daily screening of a film in the same theater."<ref name="Impressions de France - 35 Years">{{cite web|url=http://guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/495384-longest-running-daily-screening-of-a-film-in-the-same-theatre|title=Impressions de France: Longest running daily screening of a film in the same theater|publisher=[[Guinness World Records]]|access-date=}}</ref> The film sweeps pavilion guests into a tour of the French countryside, major cities, various regions and important structures. Set to a musical score written and arranged by [[Buddy Baker (composer)]], the film encompasses the music of classical French composers such as [[Claude Debussy]] and [[Camille Saint-Saëns]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.srsounds.com/forum/showthread.php?10299-Why-Impressions-de-France-is-the-best-movie-ever-made-for-a-theme-park |title=Why 'Impressions de France' is the best movie ever made for a theme park |publisher=[[Theme Park Insider]] |date=December 17, 2008 |first=Robert |last=Niles |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221023437/http://www.srsounds.com/forum/showthread.php?10299-Why-Impressions-de-France-is-the-best-movie-ever-made-for-a-theme-park |archivedate=December 21, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The film is the work of director Rick Harper<ref name="Niles">{{cite news |url= http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201003/1750/ |title= 2010 Best Theme Park Attraction nominee: Epcot's Impressions de France |publisher=[[Theme Park Insider]] |date=March 8, 2010 | first=Robert | last=Niles}}</ref> and written and co-produced by two-time Academy Award nominee [[Bob Rogers (designer)|Bob Rogers]].<ref name="Niles"/><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.mouseplanet.com/9477/Bob_Rogers_Theme_Park_Storytelling |title= Bob Rogers: Theme Park Storytelling |publisher=[[mouseplanet.com]] |date= January 12, 2011 }}</ref><ref name="Impressions de France">{{cite web|url=http://www.brcweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Impression-of-France-Credits.pdf|title=France Pavilion, EPCOT: Impressions de France|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=BRC Imagination Arts|access-date=}}</ref> The film's aerial views, mixed with closer views, include, the [[Eiffel Tower]], the [[Champs-Élysées]] and the [[Arc de Triomphe]], the [[French Alps]], [[Palace of Versailles|Versailles]], scenes from [[Cannes]], [[Notre-Dame de Paris]] and scenes from [[Normandy]]. The movie is presented with a lively classical soundtrack and narrated by Claude Gobet.


==Scene list==
==Scene list==
The film showcases 49 locations in France. The areas that appear (in order) in ''Impressions de France'' are:
Here is the list of the scenes from an official list:
{{div col|small=yes|colwidth=30em}}
{{div col|small=yes|colwidth=30em}}
# The cliffs at [[Étretat]] in [[Normandy]].
# The cliffs at [[Étretat]] in [[Normandy]]
# Gliding through the [[Marais Poitevin]], a swamp area near [[La Rochelle]].
# Gliding through the [[Marais Poitevin]], a swamp area near [[La Rochelle]]
# [[Château de Chenonceau]]; in the [[Loire Valley]], then from the gardens.
# [[Château de Chenonceau]]; in the [[Loire Valley]], then from the gardens
# Horsemen and hunting dogs cross the Cheverny Forest.
# Horsemen and hunting dogs cross the Cheverny Forest
# Aerial shot of [[Château de Chambord]].
# Aerial shot of [[Château de Chambord]]
# We fly over the red rooftops up to the bell tower of the church in the [[Vézelay]] village.
# Flying over the red rooftops up to the bell tower of the church in the [[Vézelay]] village
# [[Vézelay Abbey|Vezelay Church]] interior, with church bells in the background.
# [[Vézelay Abbey|Vezelay Church]] interior, with church bells in the background
# In the horsecart we ride through [[Riquewihr]] Village near Germany.
# Horsecart ride through [[Riquewihr]] Village near Germany
# Moving through the market place in [[Beuvron-en-Auge]], Normandy.
# Moving through the market place in [[Beuvron-en-Auge]], Normandy
# French pastries.
# French pastries
# Wine harvest at the [[Monbazillac]] Vineyard.
# Wine harvest at the [[Monbazillac]] Vineyard
# Interior of a [[Cognac, France|Cognac]] cave.
# Interior of a [[Cognac, France|Cognac]] cave
# The Fountain of Apollo at [[Palace of Versailles|Versailles]].
# The Fountain of Apollo at [[Palace of Versailles|Versailles]]
# The [[Palace of Versailles]] Garden.
# The [[Palace of Versailles]] Garden
# The Versailles building and the [[Palace of Versailles#The Hall of Mirrors|Hall of Mirrors]].
# The Versailles building and the [[Palace of Versailles#Hall of Mirrors|Hall of Mirrors]]
# Flying over [[Château de Beynac|Castle Beynac]] in the [[Dordogne]] Valley.
# Flying over [[Château de Beynac|Castle Beynac]] in the [[Dordogne]] Valley
# Man chopping wood with Chateau Montpoupon.
# Man chopping wood with Chateau Montpoupon
# La Roque - Gageac in the Dordogne Valley (bicyclists).
# La Roque - Gageac in the Dordogne Valley (bicyclists)
# Chateau Montpoupon, bicyclists racing toward us.
# Chateau Montpoupon, bicyclists racing toward us
# [[Bugatti]] race cars in Cannes.
# [[Bugatti]] race cars in Cannes
# Hot air balloons take off near [[Château de Chaumont|Chaumont Castle]] on the [[Loire (river)|Loire]] river.
# Hot air balloons take off near [[Château de Chaumont|Chaumont Castle]] on the [[Loire (river)|Loire]] river
# Hot air balloons in front of the cliff city of [[Rocamadour]].
# Hot air balloons in front of the cliff city of [[Rocamadour]]
# French Alps in the spring.
# French Alps in the spring
# Mountain climbers on rocky peaks in [[Chamonix]]. (French Alps)
# Mountain climbers on rocky peaks in [[Chamonix]] (French Alps)
# Skiers in Chamonix.
# Skiers in Chamonix
# [[La Rochelle]] Harbor.
# [[La Rochelle]] Harbor
# On board a Brittany fishing boat at sea.
# On board a Brittany fishing boat at sea
# A rocky beach in Normandy.
# Fishing boats on the rocky beach of Etretat in Normandy
# [[Mont Saint-Michel]].
# [[Mont Saint-Michel]]
# Interior of Notre-Dame-de-Penhors church in [[Pouldreuzic]], [[Brittany]].
# Interior of Notre-Dame-de-Penhors church in [[Pouldreuzic]], [[Brittany]]
# Wedding reception in full swing at a Brittany farm to traditional Brittany folk music.
# Wedding reception in full swing at a Brittany farm to traditional Brittany folk music
# Couple walks along the cliffs of Normandy in [[Étretat]].
# Couple walks along the cliffs of Normandy in [[Étretat]]
# The cliff city of [[Bonifacio, Corse-du-Sud|Bonifacio]], [[Corsica]].
# The cliff city of [[Bonifacio, Corse-du-Sud|Bonifacio]], [[Corsica]]
# [[Villefranche-sur-Mer|Villefranche]] near [[Nice]].
# [[Villefranche-sur-Mer|Villefranche]] near [[Nice]]
# [[Calanque]] cliffs near [[Cassis]].
# [[Calanque]] cliffs near [[Cassis]]
# Pier in front of the Carlton Hotel in Cannes.
# Pier in front of the Carlton Hotel in Cannes
# [[Cannes]] Harbor at twilight.
# [[Cannes]] Harbor at twilight
# Racing along railway tracks in the small [[Lozère]] town of Chapeauroux next to the Allier River.
# Racing along railway tracks in the small [[Lozère]] town of Chapeauroux next to the Allier River
# [[Gare du Nord]] (North rail station) in Paris.
# [[Gare du Nord]] (North rail station) in Paris
# [[Champs-Élysées]] at twilight featuring the Arc de Triomphe.
# [[Champs-Élysées]] at twilight featuring the Arc de Triomphe
# [[Seine]] River in Paris.
# [[Seine]] River in Paris
# [[Notre Dame de Paris]].
# [[Notre Dame de Paris]]
# Through the archways at the [[Louvre]], the [[French Republican Guard|Republican Guard]]
# Through the archways at the [[Louvre]], the [[French Republican Guard|Republican Guard]]
# [[Eiffel Tower]].
# [[Eiffel Tower]]
# Aerial shot of [[Étretat]] Cliffs.
# Aerial shot of [[Étretat]] Cliffs
# Aerial shot of the Pyrenées of [[Cirque de Gavarnie]]
# Aerial shot of the Pyrenées of [[Cirque de Gavarnie]]
# Aerial shot of [[Château de Chambord]].
# Aerial shot of [[Château de Chambord]]
# Aerial shot of French Alps near [[Mont Blanc]].
# Aerial shot of French Alps near [[Mont Blanc]]
# Finale - [[Eiffel Tower]].
# Finale - [[Eiffel Tower]]
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}


==Soundtrack==
==Soundtrack==
[[Buddy Baker (composer)|Buddy Baker]] arranged the film score, and he conducted the [[Royal Philharmonic Orchestra]] at [[Abbey Road Studios]]. The soundtrack was recorded digitally with a [[Sony]] prototype recorder, and Impressions de France became the first movie with a digital soundtrack from beginning to end.<ref name=Harper>{{cite web|url=http://themacgyverproject.blogspot.com/2015/07/rick-harper-conversation.html/|title=Rick Harper: A Conversation -- Impressions de France|work=The MacGyver Project}}</ref>
[[Buddy Baker (composer)|Buddy Baker]] arranged the film score, and he conducted the [[Royal Philharmonic Orchestra]] at [[Abbey Road Studios]]. The soundtrack was recorded digitally with a [[Sony]] prototype recorder, and Impressions de France became the first movie with a digital soundtrack from beginning to end.<ref name=Harper>{{cite web|url=http://themacgyverproject.blogspot.com/2015/07/rick-harper-conversation.html|title=Rick Harper: A Conversation -- Impressions de France|work=The MacGyver Project}}</ref>


Regarding the inspiration for his musical choices, Harper said:
Rick Harper made the initial selections of French music for the movie. Regarding the inspiration for his musical choices, Harper said:


<blockquote>I grew up being exposed to a lot of great music. My mother is a fantastic musician and pianist, and when I was in grade school, she would take me out of school to go the San Francisco opera and symphony. I built a classical music collection of records starting from when I was about 6 years old. I was really familiar with music from the Romantic era and primarily French music. It's almost in my DNA. Even to this day, that's the music of my preference.<ref name=Harper></ref></blockquote>
<blockquote>I grew up being exposed to a lot of great music. My mother is a fantastic musician and pianist, and when I was in grade school, she would take me out of school to go the San Francisco opera and symphony. I built a classical music collection of records starting from when I was about 6 years old. I was really familiar with music from the Romantic era and primarily French music. It's almost in my DNA. Even to this day, that's the music of my preference.<ref name=Harper /></blockquote>

⚫
Here is a listing of the movie's score from official and unofficial sources:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themeparkinsider.com/reviews/epcot/impressions_de_france/|title=Impressions de France|work=Theme Park Insider}}</ref>


⚫
A listing of the movie's score from official and unofficial sources:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themeparkinsider.com/reviews/epcot/impressions_de_france/|title=Impressions de France|work=Theme Park Insider}}</ref>
{{cast listing|
; Scene 1
; Scene 1
: "[[Syrinx (Debussy)|Syrinx]]" * (0:00-0:33)
: "[[Syrinx (Debussy)|Syrinx]]" * (0:00-0:33)
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:: by Buddy Baker
:: by Buddy Baker
; Scenes 18 - 20
; Scenes 18 - 20
: "Ouverture" from ''Gaîté Parisienne'' * (2:52-3:38)
: "Ouverture" from ''[[Gaîté Parisienne]]'' * (2:52-3:38)
:: by [[Jacques Offenbach]]
:: by [[Jacques Offenbach]]
:: original 6 second introduction by Buddy Baker
:: original 6 second introduction by Buddy Baker
Line 182: Line 144:
:: by Claude Debussy
:: by Claude Debussy
; Scene 25
; Scene 25
: "Trois Gymnopedies #1" * (4:51-5:25)
: [[Trois gymnopédies|"Trois Gymnopedies #1"]] * (4:51-5:25)
:: by [[Erik Satie]]
:: by [[Erik Satie]]
:: orchestrated by Debussy
:: orchestrated by Debussy
Line 220: Line 182:
:: by Jacques Offenbach
:: by Jacques Offenbach
; Scene 43
; Scene 43
: "Fanfare" from ''La Peri'' * (7:22-7:59)
: "Fanfare" from [[La Péri (Dukas)|''La Peri'']] * (7:22-7:59)
:: by [[Paul Dukas]]
:: by [[Paul Dukas]]
; Scene 44 - 49
; Scene 44 - 49
: "Maestoso - Allegro" from the 2nd movement of Symphony no. 3 (Organ Symphony) * (7:59-9:51)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dlib.indiana.edu/variations/scores/aef8378/index.html|title=Score: AEF8378|publisher=}}</ref>
: "Maestoso - Allegro" from the 2nd movement of [[Symphony No. 3 (Saint-Saëns)|Symphony no. 3 (Organ Symphony)]] * (7:59-9:51)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dlib.indiana.edu/variations/scores/aef8378/index.html|title=Score: AEF8378|publisher=}}</ref>
:: by Camille Saint-Saëns
:: by Camille Saint-Saëns
}}


The selections marked with * can be found on these albums:
The selections marked with * can be found on these albums:
Line 234: Line 197:
*''Four Parks - One World: Walt Disney World Official Album'' (2008)
*''Four Parks - One World: Walt Disney World Official Album'' (2008)


==See also==
== Additions ==
On January 17, 2020, the Palais du Cinéma theatre began its new schedule, which involves alternating between showing ''Impressions de France'' and a [[Beauty and the Beast (1991 film)|Beauty and the Beast]] sing-along.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-01-13 |title=Showtimes Revealed for "Impressions de France" and "Beauty and The Beast Sing-Along" at the France Pavilion in EPCOT - WDW News Today |url=https://wdwnt.com/2020/01/showtimes-revealed-for-impressions-de-france-and-beauty-and-the-beast-sing-along-at-the-france-pavilion-in-epcot/ |access-date=2022-12-28 |website=wdwnt.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
* {{Portal-inline|Florida}}
* {{Portal-inline|Disney}}


==References==
==References==
Line 242: Line 204:


==External links==
==External links==
{{Portal|Film|Classical Music|Florida|Disney}}
* [http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/attractions/impressions-de-france/ Walt Disney World Resort - ''Impressions de France'']
* [http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/attractions/impressions-de-france/ Walt Disney World Resort - ''Impressions de France'']


Line 253: Line 216:
[[Category:French documentary films]]
[[Category:French documentary films]]
[[Category:World Showcase]]
[[Category:World Showcase]]
⚫
[[Category:French films]]
[[Category:Films scored by Buddy Baker (composer)]]
[[Category:Films scored by Buddy Baker (composer)]]
[[Category:Multi-screen film]]
[[Category:Multi-screen film]]
[[Category:1982 establishments in Florida]]
[[Category:1982 establishments in Florida]]
⚫
[[Category:1980s French films]]
[[Category:Special-venue films]]

Latest revision as of 04:12, 29 July 2024

Impressions de France
Epcot
AreaWorld Showcase (France Pavilion)
StatusOperating
Opening dateOctober 1, 1982
Ride statistics
Attraction typeMovie Theater
DesignerWED Enterprises
ThemeSights of France
MusicArrangement by Buddy Baker; includes works by Boieldieu, Debussy, Offenbach and Saint-Saëns
Duration18:00
Disabled access Wheelchair accessible
Assistive listening available
Closed captioning available

Impressions de France (Impressions of France) is a film about France and the featured attraction in the France Pavilion of Epcot's World Showcase at Walt Disney World in Florida. The movie is presented in the Palais du Cinéma (Cinema Palace) building and projected onto five adjacent screens, giving 200° coverage and resembling a Cinerama Screen, in which one giant, curved screen stretches so wide that the edges are at the peripheral vision of the average person, unlike Circle-Vision 360° found at the Canada pavilion and the China pavilion.

Synopsis

[edit]

Impressions de France is one of the original Epcot park attractions, which has been playing every day since the park opened in 1982. It is also recognized by the Guinness World Records as holding the world record for the "longest running daily screening of a film in the same theater."[1] The film sweeps pavilion guests into a tour of the French countryside, major cities, various regions and important structures. Set to a musical score written and arranged by Buddy Baker (composer), the film encompasses the music of classical French composers such as Claude Debussy and Camille Saint-Saëns.[2] The film is the work of director Rick Harper[3] and written and co-produced by two-time Academy Award nominee Bob Rogers.[3][4][5] The film's aerial views, mixed with closer views, include, the Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe, the French Alps, Versailles, scenes from Cannes, Notre-Dame de Paris and scenes from Normandy. The movie is presented with a lively classical soundtrack and narrated by Claude Gobet.

Scene list

[edit]

The film showcases 49 locations in France. The areas that appear (in order) in Impressions de France are:

  1. The cliffs at Étretat in Normandy
  2. Gliding through the Marais Poitevin, a swamp area near La Rochelle
  3. Château de Chenonceau; in the Loire Valley, then from the gardens
  4. Horsemen and hunting dogs cross the Cheverny Forest
  5. Aerial shot of Château de Chambord
  6. Flying over the red rooftops up to the bell tower of the church in the Vézelay village
  7. Vezelay Church interior, with church bells in the background
  8. Horsecart ride through Riquewihr Village near Germany
  9. Moving through the market place in Beuvron-en-Auge, Normandy
  10. French pastries
  11. Wine harvest at the Monbazillac Vineyard
  12. Interior of a Cognac cave
  13. The Fountain of Apollo at Versailles
  14. The Palace of Versailles Garden
  15. The Versailles building and the Hall of Mirrors
  16. Flying over Castle Beynac in the Dordogne Valley
  17. Man chopping wood with Chateau Montpoupon
  18. La Roque - Gageac in the Dordogne Valley (bicyclists)
  19. Chateau Montpoupon, bicyclists racing toward us
  20. Bugatti race cars in Cannes
  21. Hot air balloons take off near Chaumont Castle on the Loire river
  22. Hot air balloons in front of the cliff city of Rocamadour
  23. French Alps in the spring
  24. Mountain climbers on rocky peaks in Chamonix (French Alps)
  25. Skiers in Chamonix
  26. La Rochelle Harbor
  27. On board a Brittany fishing boat at sea
  28. Fishing boats on the rocky beach of Etretat in Normandy
  29. Mont Saint-Michel
  30. Interior of Notre-Dame-de-Penhors church in Pouldreuzic, Brittany
  31. Wedding reception in full swing at a Brittany farm to traditional Brittany folk music
  32. Couple walks along the cliffs of Normandy in Étretat
  33. The cliff city of Bonifacio, Corsica
  34. Villefranche near Nice
  35. Calanque cliffs near Cassis
  36. Pier in front of the Carlton Hotel in Cannes
  37. Cannes Harbor at twilight
  38. Racing along railway tracks in the small Lozère town of Chapeauroux next to the Allier River
  39. Gare du Nord (North rail station) in Paris
  40. Champs-Élysées at twilight featuring the Arc de Triomphe
  41. Seine River in Paris
  42. Notre Dame de Paris
  43. Through the archways at the Louvre, the Republican Guard
  44. Eiffel Tower
  45. Aerial shot of Étretat Cliffs
  46. Aerial shot of the Pyrenées of Cirque de Gavarnie
  47. Aerial shot of Château de Chambord
  48. Aerial shot of French Alps near Mont Blanc
  49. Finale - Eiffel Tower

Soundtrack

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Buddy Baker arranged the film score, and he conducted the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios. The soundtrack was recorded digitally with a Sony prototype recorder, and Impressions de France became the first movie with a digital soundtrack from beginning to end.[6]

Rick Harper made the initial selections of French music for the movie. Regarding the inspiration for his musical choices, Harper said:

I grew up being exposed to a lot of great music. My mother is a fantastic musician and pianist, and when I was in grade school, she would take me out of school to go the San Francisco opera and symphony. I built a classical music collection of records starting from when I was about 6 years old. I was really familiar with music from the Romantic era and primarily French music. It's almost in my DNA. Even to this day, that's the music of my preference.[6]

A listing of the movie's score from official and unofficial sources:[7]

Scene 1
"Syrinx" * (0:00-0:33)
by Claude Debussy
Solo for Flute by Eddie Beckett of the London Symphony Orchestra
Scenes 2 - 4
"Aquarium" from The Carnival of the Animals * (0:33-1:52)
by Camille Saint-Saëns
Scenes 5 - 6
"Rondeau (Allegro agitato)" from Concerto in C for Harp and Orchestra * (1:52-2:52)
by François-Adrien Boïeldieu
Scenes 8 - 9
original music
by Buddy Baker
Scene 10
original music
by Buddy Baker
Scenes 11 & 12
original music
by Buddy Baker
Scenes 13 - 15
original music
by Buddy Baker
Scene 16
"Nuages" from Nocturnes
by Claude Debussy
Scene 17
original music
by Buddy Baker
Scenes 18 - 20
"Ouverture" from Gaîté Parisienne * (2:52-3:38)
by Jacques Offenbach
original 6 second introduction by Buddy Baker
Scenes 21 - 22
"Lever du jour" from Part 3 of Daphnis et Chloé Suite #2
by Maurice Ravel
Scenes 23 & 24
"Clair de Lune" from Suite bergamasque (Orchestral Arrangement) * (3:38-4:51)
by Claude Debussy
Scene 25
"Trois Gymnopedies #1" * (4:51-5:25)
by Erik Satie
orchestrated by Debussy
Scene 26
original music
by Buddy Baker
Scene 27 & 28
original music
by Buddy Baker
Scene 29
"Aquarium" from Carnival of the Animals
by Camille Saint-Saëns
flute arrangement by Buddy Baker
Scene 30
original music
by Buddy Baker
Scene 31
source music (traditional Brittany folk music)
final bars arranged and adapted by Buddy Baker
Scene 32
original music
by Buddy Baker
Scenes 33 - 35
original music
by Buddy Baker
Scenes 36 & 37
original music
by Buddy Baker
Scenes 38 - 40
"Finale" from Carnival of the Animals * (5:25-6:25)
by Camille Saint-Saëns
Scenes 41 & 42
original music * (6:25-7:07)
by Buddy Baker
Scene 42
"Allegro moderato" from Gaite Parisienne * (7:07-7:22)
by Jacques Offenbach
Scene 43
"Fanfare" from La Peri * (7:22-7:59)
by Paul Dukas
Scene 44 - 49
"Maestoso - Allegro" from the 2nd movement of Symphony no. 3 (Organ Symphony) * (7:59-9:51)[8]
by Camille Saint-Saëns

The selections marked with * can be found on these albums:

  • Walt Disney World Resort: The Official Album (1999)
  • Walt Disney World Resort: Official Album (2000)
  • Official Album: Walt Disney World Resort Celebrating 100 Years of Magic (2001)
  • Official Album: The Happiest Celebration on Earth – Walt Disney World Resort Album
  • Official Album: Where Magic Lives – Walt Disney World Resort
  • Four Parks - One World: Walt Disney World Official Album (2008)

Additions

[edit]

On January 17, 2020, the Palais du Cinéma theatre began its new schedule, which involves alternating between showing Impressions de France and a Beauty and the Beast sing-along.[9]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Impressions de France: Longest running daily screening of a film in the same theater". Guinness World Records.
  2. ^ Niles, Robert (December 17, 2008). "Why 'Impressions de France' is the best movie ever made for a theme park". Theme Park Insider. Archived from the original on December 21, 2013.
  3. ^ a b Niles, Robert (March 8, 2010). "2010 Best Theme Park Attraction nominee: Epcot's Impressions de France". Theme Park Insider.
  4. ^ "Bob Rogers: Theme Park Storytelling". mouseplanet.com. January 12, 2011.
  5. ^ "France Pavilion, EPCOT: Impressions de France" (PDF). BRC Imagination Arts.
  6. ^ a b "Rick Harper: A Conversation -- Impressions de France". The MacGyver Project.
  7. ^ "Impressions de France". Theme Park Insider.
  8. ^ "Score: AEF8378".
  9. ^ "Showtimes Revealed for "Impressions de France" and "Beauty and The Beast Sing-Along" at the France Pavilion in EPCOT - WDW News Today". wdwnt.com. January 13, 2020. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
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