Maya the Bee is a 1960 American Traditionally-animated musical film produced by Walt Disney Productions and based on Maya the Bee by Waldemar Bonsels. This film has 14 songs. Produced by Walt Disney, it was unknown Disney Animated Canon.
The film has been on Disney+ since launch.
Summary[]
The story centers on Maya, an inquisitive, adventurous and somewhat flighty young honeybee, and her adventures in the forest around her. Maya is born in a bee hive during internal unrest, the hive is dividing itself into two new colonies. Maya is raised by her teacher, Mrs. Cassandra, brought up to be a worker bee, but it is difficult for her to understand and follow the strict rules of the hive because of her individuality and strong desire for independence, and has since then had interest in the outside world. Despite Mrs. Cassandra’s warnings, Maya wants to explore the wide world and commits the unforgivable crime of leaving the hive. Not accepting that her companions only dedicate themselves to making honey, she embarks on unforgettable adventures with her inseparable friend Willy. During her adventures, Maya, now in exile, befriends other insects and braves dangers with them. Each chapter is full of lessons about friendship, justice and issues about nature and the various animals that live there. Also noteworthy in the series are the grasshopper Flip with his wise advice, the spider Thekla with his detuned violin, Miss Cassandra with her teachings and many other unforgettable characters.
In the climax of the film, Maya is taken prisoner by hornets, the bees’ sworn enemies. Prisoner of the hornets, Maya learns that they plan to attack her native hive. Maya is faced with the decision to either return to hive and suffer her due punishment, saving the hive, or leaving the plan unannounced, saving herself but destroying the hive. As may be expected, Maya, after severe pondering, makes the decision to return. In the hive, she announces the coming attack and is totally unexpectedly, pardoned. The forewarned bees triumph over the hornet attack force. Maya, now a heroine of the hive, becomes a teacher, like Mrs. Cassandra and shares her experiences and wisdom with the future generation.
Plot[]
The film begins with
Voice cast[]
- as Maya - Bee. The film's main protagonist. She loves freedom and living in the meadow by herself, unlike other bees who live in the hive. She is good, fair, happy, and willing to help everybody.
- as Willy - Bee. Lazy, clumsy, and cowardly, sometimes a showoff, but generally good-natured. He's her best friend, who is secretly in love with her, prone to jealousy when Maya's attentions turn to others. Often reluctantly dragged into adventures by Maya.
- as Flip - Grasshopper. A wise friend of Maya and Willy.
- Burl Ives as Alexander - mouse. Intellectual, whose level of respect among the other creatures, and close friendship with Maya, often sends Willy into jealous rages.
- as Miss Cassandra - Maya's teacher and chief authority figure.
Production[]
Release[]
Differences between the book and the film[]
- The film adds many characters not in the book such as the character Willi, a lazy and quite un-warlike drone bee.
- In the film, the militarist element was toned down.
- In the film, the hornets' role got reduced.
Script[]
Songs[]
Disney Parks[]
Walkaround Maya the Bee characters have been at Magic Kingdom since October 1, 1971, Tokyo Disneyland since April 15, 1983, Disneyland since July 17, 1960, Disneyland Paris since April 12, 1992, Hong Kong Disneyland since September 12, 2005, and Shanghai Disneyland since June 16, 2016.
On July 17, 1960, a junior rollercoaster based on the film titled Maya's Hive opened at Disneyland. The Casey Jr Circus Train weaves its way up and around the hive, whilst the Storybook Land Canal Boats sail through the hive beneath it. The interior of the hive acts as the finale for the cruise, with elaborate scenes from the movie.
On October 1, 1971, Maya's Hive opened at Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World resort. Due to there being no Storybook Land Canal Boats and no Casey Jr Circus Trail at Magic Kingdom,
Between late 1987 and early 1988, Maya's Hive closed at Magic Kingdom to make room for Mickey's Birthdayland.
On June 18, 1988, Mickey's Birthdayland opened at Magic Kingdom replacing Maya's Hive.
Video[]
In 1984, a game adaption of the film was released for ColecoVision, Coleco Adam, Atari 5200, MS-DOS, Commodore 64, Apple II, Famicom, Intellivision, and Atari 8-bit computers. The game was ported to Nintendo Entertainment System in 1986. The Famicom and Nintendo Entertainment System versions are the same.
On August 23, 1996, Disney's Animated Storybook adaption was released on Windows, Mac OS X, MS-DOS, SNES, PlayStation, Game Boy, Sega Saturn, Sega Genesis, and Phillips CD-i.
Lawsuit[]
From April 1, 1975 to April 20, 1976, a Japaneese anime based on Maya the Bee made by Nippin Animation, directed by Masahiro and Endō Hiroshi Saitō, produced by Yoshihiro Ōba, and written by, Niisan Takahashi aired on Nihon Educational Television (NET for short). On April 30, 1976, Disney tried to sue Nippon Animation for copyright infringement and for copying the Disney script, but Nippin Animation won the lawsuit on the grounds that Bonsels' work is in the public domain.
Animated Series[]
Remake[]
On March 9, 2012, a live action remake Maya was released.