Which Platinum Edition do you think will street in March?

[Jake Lipson]

Which Platinum Edition do you think will street in March 2004? Why? I didn't include Sleeping Beauty in the poll since it's pretty much confirmed that that will be labeled Platinum in September (why else would BVHE Publicity suddenly remove the cover artwork?) I'm betting on Bambi in March and Aladdin in October (but I'm not taking bets here.) Here's why...

The Bambi sequel "Bambi and the Great Prince" is reportedly a 2004 project and might even see the big screen. If so, they will want to tie in with that.

Also, Bambi never been on DVD before outside bootlegs and there's incridible demand for it. However, even though it would still be a huge selller there won't be nearly as much demand for something like Pinocchio because there will be the few Average Joes who have the Limited Issue (or more likely Gold Collection) and won't feel the need to double dip.

And really, it just makes sense for spring release since so much is a movie about birth and life and spring is the rebirth and life of the earth whereas a fall release would parallel the state of nature: nature is dead and getting deader, in the bitterless cold, whereas most of Bambi is about birth and life and exploration (aside from the sequences in winter, but admittedly most of it is in the spring and summer.)

And, of course, Aladdin has October 2004 booked so they can't use that slot for Bambi's launch. I was hoping for Aladdin in March (it being my favorite movie of all time regardless of what I say elsewhere.) But at my last check Disney's IMAX web site says nothing re Aladdin debuting on the giant screen this fall (Disney's opting for Young Black Stallion on Christmas instead) and IMAX's web site lists Aladdin as "2004" with no date. Therefore, it can't launch in March because they have to push it on IMAX a while -- supposing it does launch in December 2003 on IMAX, a December-March theatrical-to-video turnaround is way too fast for any Disney movie. (Okay, Mighty Joe Young did it, and The Princess Diaries went from August to December, but something of Aladdin's high caliber will almost surely not have a four-month video turnaround even if it's from the much-less-grossing IMAX theaters instead of regular ones.

[Luke]

Probably Bambi, though Cinderella is a remote possibility.

I think Aladdin will be October 2004 as you say, and Little Mermaid for October 2005.

[MickeyMouseboy]

i think the princess movies will be release each october and the less one in march

[Sethp]

Let me see if i got this right.. sleeping beauty will be released this summer as a delayed "March platinum"?

[Jack]

I'm guessing Pinnochio, since it's due for a re-release here in the U.S. But Bambi is also likely.

[MickeyMouseboy]

Let me see if i got this right.. sleeping beauty will be released this summer as a delayed "March platinum"?

no sleeping beauty is coming out this september with lion king in october those are the first 2 a year platinums. next year's march 04=unknown october 04=Aladdin.

[Choco Bear]

hmm i dont think sleeping beauty will be released as a platinum this year beacuse i thoght they were going to release 2 evry year after the lion king, but i could be wrong

[Loomis]

I'd like to think Aladdin is next (me REALLY want), but as it appears unlikely, something like Bambi or Cinderella would definitely be welcome additions.
Anything that has not been previously available (ok, anything I don't have) would be grand as the next installment...

[Sethp]

no sleeping beauty is coming out this september with lion king in october those are the first 2 a year platinums. next year's march 04=unknown october 04=Aladdin.

Ok, I was almost right

Isn't there a chance that Pinocchio will be the March platinum of 2004?

[Luke]

Isn't there a chance that Pinocchio will be the March platinum of 2004?

Could be, since they have the new transfer and the UK Special Edition supplements. All they'd need to add are supplements of SUBSTANCE - a commentary, documentary, etc.

I seriously hope that the speeded-up Platinum schedule doesn't mean a lower level of quality. OF COURSE Disney can put out two big Platinum quality releases a year, but well it's now May, and an unknown title is supposed to be pressed by say, January, for a March release. Work's gotta start on that NOW if it's going to be a serious Platinum effort, and not just a 2-disc set with games and crap. Actually, even the games and teeny-bopper zoog music videos take time to put together. So, Disney...start...*NOW*...go!

Oh, and another thing, I think it might be a while before we see Pinocchio, since it seems that Disney is now focusing on what titles have been out-of-print and unavailable the longest, which would favor the unreleased and those only released as Limited Issues. Which MIGHT leave Pinocchio and the three other new Platinum additions til fall 2007 and beyond.

[Loomis]

I seriously hope that the speeded-up Platinum schedule doesn't mean a lower level of quality. OF COURSE Disney can put out two big Platinum quality releases a year, but well it's now May, and an unknown title is supposed to be pressed by say, January, for a March release. Work's gotta start on that NOW if it's going to be a serious Platinum effort, and not just a 2-disc set with games and crap. Actually, even the games and teeny-bopper zoog music videos take time to put together. So, Disney...start...*NOW*...go!

I had the same fear - that more DVDs would mean less quality, but for all we know work has already been done on these things. I'm sure there are a bunch of supplements all ready to go for most of these films (between countless video & laser releases, plus DVD has been out for some years now).

Take the Star Wars Episode I DVD for example. Lucas kept saying he wanted to wait until he had all the supplements ready before he released it, he wanted it to be something special. When the DVD came out, it was quite clear it was full of supplements (with the exception, perhaps, of the deleted scenes) that could have been released two days after the theatrical release if necessary.

All I'm saying is, Disney could probably release all of their films in the next 6 months and probably still have quality supplements to spare. Look at the Lilo & Stitch DVD - they did have supplements to spare from all reports and didn't use them!

At this point, though, I'm willing to see movie only versions of all the classics as long as we get them on DVD soon

[Jake Lipson]

Oh, and another thing, I think it might be a while before we see Pinocchio, since it seems that Disney is now focusing on what titles have been out-of-print and unavailable the longest, which would favor the unreleased and those only released as Limited Issues. Which MIGHT leave Pinocchio and the three other new Platinum additions til fall 2007 and beyond.

I agree that the ones that are the hardest to find are being pushed up here, but it won't take us that long to see Pinocchio get the true special edition it deserves. I can't see the last two releasess (2007) being anything other than Peter Pan and Fantasia. Reason being that Peter Pan just went out of print and they'll want to keep it out of print for a while to stir up demand for the title from those who didn't buy the special edition, and a long gap between releases might entice Average Joe to double dip, whereas if Peter Pan is re-released within the next two years many people will remember purchasing the special edition semi-recently and won't feel such a need to upgrade. I'd say it will be at least March 2006 before we see Peter Pan again, AT LEAST, but I'm expecting it to be 2007. Fantasia has yet to go out of print on DVD in the first place so that has to go once and collect dust in the vault for a while for the same reasons mentioned above before they let it out again. Plus, the VHS release of Fantasia was billed as the only time it would ever be released to home video so they probably want to hold to their word (at least for the VHS format), but since they're still doing dual DVD and VHS releases they'll want to wait until VHS is dead to put that out as a Platinum Edition so they don't have to reissue the VHS. (The same was said for Snow White in its 1994 VHS release, but that had to be broken because Snow White had to be the first Platinum by nessesity.) The only way I can see Fantasia being re-released any sooner than 2007 is if they bring it out to coincide with Fantasia III (I'll call it that until we have a DEFINITIVE release year to attach to the title, although it's currently in the pipeline for 2006), bui I have a feeling they might even have Fantasia III be a late-2006 release with a 2007 DVD coinciding with the Fantasia Platinum in October 2007. Just my gut feeling. Of course, I could be wrong, though.

[Luke]

Well counting the 4 that were added to the Platinum line (or 3, excluding Sleeping Beauty), that takes us to October 2008.

[2099net]

I seriously hope that the speeded-up Platinum schedule doesn't mean a lower level of quality. OF COURSE Disney can put out two big Platinum quality releases a year, but well it's now May, and an unknown title is supposed to be pressed by say, January, for a March release. Work's gotta start on that NOW if it's going to be a serious Platinum effort, and not just a 2-disc set with games and crap. Actually, even the games and teeny-bopper zoog music videos take time to put together. So, Disney...start...*NOW*...go!

Well I wouldn't rule out a release of Peter Pan just yet - for the reasons Luke mentioned above. Also, the current 2 disc release is being released slowly around the rest of the world now (France already, Japan in a week of two). Yes, it's a disappointing release and yes, most of the supplements were on the "Special Edition" but let's face it, the "Special Edition" is out of print now - France had their 2 disc Peter Pan released when their "Special Edition" was still on sale (although it has been pulled since the release of the 2 disc set). Disney must think enough of the current set to release it in different territories. I wouldn't be surprised if it pops up in others over the next 6 months.

Also please remember Platinum releases are released at the same time around the world - does France really want a fourth "Peter Pan" release, and Japan a third "Peter Pan" release in 2007? Also please remember the international market is bigger than just the US domestic market - decisions will probably be made with international revenue in mind.

(However, I have a feeling this upcomings March release will not be released internationally - probably because "Peter Pan" will be choosen or probably becuase there won't be time for international translations. However, I expect all subsequent releases to be released worldwide.)

My take on the "Platinum Schedule" announcement is that it was made in haste - a company U-Turn motivated by the need for money. As such, it's not unreasonable to expect the "first" of the amended schedule to be created in haste which may make it a far from ideal selection as a matter of neccesity. (I know "Sleeping Beauty" is techincally the first, but this was already scheduled - and isn't coming out in March).

Disney has a lot of materials ready for "Peter Pan" (with the silent film appearing like a substantial supplement for little effort), and while the set was disappointing for current "Special Edition" owners, there's very little that needs doing to make the release good enough for a Platinum release (well, just as good as "Beauty and the Beast", if not "Snow White" quality).

I think the set needs these additions:

Commentary or filmed introduction to the 1927 Silent Film from Paramount
This would explain in more detail what we are watching, why it had such an effect on the young Walt Disney and why it is included in the set. Storypoints which inspired the Disney cartoon could be discussed, as well as some of the history of Walt Disney pre founding the Disney Company. (I understand that Walt first saw this version of Peter Pan while working as a "Newsie"). If a commentary is choosen, as well as the above points information on the life of J M Barrie and the history of the play could also be included.

Rework the Production Galleries
For me, the gallery was the biggest disappointment of the current 2 disc set - it's exactly the same as the limited gallery on the current "Special Edition". This sould be reworked to be similar to the existing "Platinum Edition" gallaries - split into specific sections, with lots more pictures and the choice of voice overs if applicable. I would rebuy the R1 "Platinum Edition" in a heartbeat if this is done, as the galleries are my favorite supplements on the 2 disc sets.

Include "The Walt Disney Christmas Show" from 1951
According to my book "Disney The First 100 Years", Christmas 1951 saw the transmission of a television special "The Walt Disney Christmas Show". The programme was esentially used to promote his upcoming animated feature "Peter Pan"

Update: Here's the IMDB.com link

The Trailers
Missing from the French release. Missing Trailers seems to be unwelcome pattern on these overseas releases.

All the above suggestions should be easy to implement - the trailers, tv special and production artwork presumably already exist (I would imagine Disney did keep a copy of the TV special - they have a copy of the first TV special "One Hour In Wonderland"). The introduction or commentary to the silent movie would require a little research, but would be quick and cheap to record.

I think with these features, you will have a solid and informative 2 disc set which will include enough new material to make most people at least consider upgrading. Plus I imagine it would be more feasible (and cheaper) to augment an existing 2 disc set than to begin one from scratch. Let's not forget Disney needs money ASAP at the moment.

However, should Disney want to go a little extra on the supplements, these could also be considered:

A Featurette on Tinkerbell
Tinkerbell is second only to Mickey Mouse as the Disney corporate symbol. A featurette on the development of Tinkerbell would be most welcome.

A Featurette on The Great Ormand Street Children's Hospital in London
When he died J M Barrie left his copyright of "Peter Pan" to the Great Ormand Street Children's Hospital - one of Europe's most highly regarded children's hospitals.

A featurette on Pirates in Disney films
Sort of like "The Story behind the Story" segment on "Beauty and the Beast", this could examine various Disney films featuring Pirates - from their live action "Treasure Island", "Swiss Family Robinson" and "Blackbeard's Ghost" to - of course - "Treasure Planet".

A featurette on Bobby Driscoll and Kathryn Beaumont
I always get a kick out of the voice talent segments on these discs. Both Bobby and Kathryn have made other Disney films, so this could be an informative featurette.

Is all this possible in the time limit? I don't know. But how possible is it for Disney to release a set of equal quality if they are only just beginning?

PS. If anyone from BVHE is reading this post, feel free to use my ideas. The only payment I would require is for you to release "House of Mouse" on DVD!

[Sethp]

I'd like to see a featurette on Bill Thompson, he did quite a few disney voices in the 50's especially in Lady and the Tramp.
PS 2099net great ideas on the peter pan features!

[Matty-Mouse]

My guess is either Bambi or Cinderella. Neither have had DVD's yet and Aladdin and Mermaid are bound to be October release's after their IMAX showings,or though I heard that Tarzan was going to go to IMAX in 2005, so maybe Mermaid will come out October 2006.

I dont think either Pinocchio, Peter Pan or Fantasia will be out for sometime. Fantasia is still avalible in all countries at the moment, Peter Pan has only just got a 2-disc treatment in some European countries and Pinocchio has just has a Special Edition.

I think those 3 will be the last to come out for those reasons, and the fact that if one of those is the March release in the States what will all the other countries of the world get next March, unless Europe, Australia and Japan are sticking to the one-a-year sytem, who knows?

[2099net]

Well, I can't see the logic in announcing the "new additions" to the line now unless one or two are going to appear reasonably soon. Especially as "Peter Pan" and "Pinocchio" are out of print, so Disney has no compelling reason to boost their sales at this moment in time (all their copies are in the retail chains already), but admittedly their "Fantasia" announcement could boots sales of the "Anthology" boxset.

If the "new additions" aren't to be released until the end of the schedule, then Disney have missed an opportunity to generate even more buzz. First the initial annocuement would state "and three additional titles have been added to the list to be announced later" - thus generating speculation and rumours - then a year or so before the first "new addition" title was to be released they could be named, this providing a second welcome burst of publicity. Why publicise something that's not going to be released for four years right away?

We can only wait and see what happens this coming March, but that's my reasoning for one of the "new additions" being released sooner rather than later.

[thomasnetboy]

Well, I just hope Disney soon will release some information about the Platinum schedule... any idea when we will know the title of the Paltinum dvd for March?

[Luke]

It will probably go up for pre-order sometime this fall. We *should* hear before then, though.

[Jake Lipson]

I'm expecting the March Platinum to be officially announced within the Sleeping Beauty and/or Lion King booklet, like Beauty and the Beast was confirmed inside the Snow White booklet, with an official announcement shortly thereafter, if not sooner.