sleeping beauty (1959) is an american-french animated movie produced by walt disney productions and released to movie theaters by buena vista distribution. it is based on the 1697 fairy tale "the sleeping beauty in the wood" by charles perrault. the movie was directed by les clark, eric larson, and wolfgang reitherman, under the supervision of clyde geronimi. additional story work was provided by joe rinaldi, winston hibler, bill peet, ted sears, ralph wright, and milt banta.