Aladdin (1992)
As part of Walt Disney’s Animated Classics Series, Aladdin is a musical fantasy film based around the folk tale of Aladdin and the magic lamp from One Thousand And One Nights. It is directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, and won many awards – particularly for its soundtrack. However, the aspect that made this film groundbreaking was the work of the late, great Robin Williams.
The role of the Genie was written specifically for Williams, and he recorded it during short breaks in the shooting schedules of two other projects. During his recording sessions, Williams improvised an estimated 52 characters through the role of Genie, providing animators and filmmakers with hours of dialogue to choose from.
As a result, more than two decades later, Aladdin is beloved by generation after generation – young and old – and is often quoted as the most significant showcase of the improvisational talent of Williams, after Good Morning Vietnam. This level of ad-libbing in an animated children’s film was previously unheard of, and few later examples have ever matched the genius or impact of the Genie of Aladdin.
