Picture
Now this is a hard decision to make – I think that the American version has managed to subdue the colour pulsing which afflicts all copies of the restored film, but perhaps this is because the NTSC colours don't seem quite as bright as the PAL colours. On the other hand the PAL transfer benefits from the increased PAL resolution. I've decided to mark this as a draw on the widescreen version, but the American full screen wins over the full screen transfer on my single disc UK edition as the UK transfer is marred by more noticeable colour pulsing.
Audio
The UK release only has English language soundtracks – Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1. The American release has Dolby Digital 5.1 on the widescreen transfer and Dolby Digital 5.1 English and French tracks plus a Dolby Digital 2.0 Spanish track on the full screen version.
Being as I have no amplifier at all, let alone a DTS one I'm not going to pass any judgement on the sountracks.
Audio Supplements
Despite what you may think, the UK release does have an audio supplement… sort of. It includes a Dolby Digital 2.0 audio descriptive track. This track is for the blind or visually impaired and a narrator describes the on-screen action in between the dialogue in the film. While it's something I have no interest in myself, I'm pleased it was included as it shows Disney UK are thinking about making their films accessible to as many people as possible. (But I would rather have a commentary)
The American version has the commentary track – featuring a number of participants including (amongst others) Eyvind Earle, Mary Costa, Ollie Johnston and Marc Davis. When commentaries contain a large number of participants they often quickly turn into chaos. However, this commentary is made from interviews edited masterfully together and no single participant dominates over another. This commentary is one of the most informative and easy to listen to commentary I have ever heard.
One surprise about the commentary is that underneath the various voiceovers, the film's music and effects track constantly plays. It's a shame this wasn't included as another optional soundtrack on the disc. Another surprise is that unused or abandoned songs are included in the commentary in their entirity!
Once Upon A Dream: The Making of Sleeping Beauty
This is the same on both versions. It has a rather short running time, and I was hoping the American version would be extended. Oh well. At least the international version didn't get an edited documentary like they did with the 2 disc Peter Pan and single disc Pinocchio Special Edition.
Story
Basically this section is the same. The American version has the '1951 Outline' narrated. I'm not sure how I feel about this, but I suppose it's an improvement. On the Storyboard examples the UK release has the same sequences, but no introductions.
Production
Basically the same again. The only difference is the widescreen to pan-and-scan on the UK version has three examples but no introduction.
Galleries
These are the same, including the same virtual room animations. However, like the two Platinum releases, the American version features narration on selected pictures. While I think this is a vast improvement (my favorite bit of these 2 disc sets are the galleries) I'm not happy about the splitting of the comments into 'children's' and 'adults'. Is the children's narrator the voice of Goofy's Max?
Publicity: Trailers
Omitted from the UK version. The 1995 re-release trailer is fantastic!
Sleeping Beauty Scapbook
Exactly the same as the UK release. It's a shame Disney US didn't decide to include voiceovers for these pictures – many of them could benefit from narration.
Grand Canyon
Same as the UK release. Both UK and US are letterboxed widescreen rather than anamorphic. (Reason: We don't want to pay for a new transfer from the LD transfer)
The Peter Tchaikovsky Story
Same on both releases.
Four Artists Paint One Tree
Same on both releases, but I would have to say the UK release probably has a clearer picture.
Fluff
The Disney Art project is different. On the UK release it's a segment from at television program made by Disney called 'Art Attack'. This shows how to make a fantasy castle from discarded toilet paper rolls. (Actually the finished product does look good). The US release has all new segments hosted by 'magic hands'.
The Rescue Aurora Adventure Game is the same on both releases, as is the Ink and Paint Studio.
Unique to the American release are the Princess Personality game (which I thought was the weakest of the 'fluff' on this disc as the questions are just ridiculous – room for my tiger?), the new No Secrets music video (which it must be said I neither liked or disliked) and the Once Upon a Dream sing-a-long which is pretty pointless (when all is said and done, this could have been placed on disc 1 with subtitles) but it's interesting to see the state or the unrestored film used in this segment.
Packaging
Well, the US release has the best packaging with the slipcover that 'opens like a book' and despite what some think the cover art is not that bad – it's colourful. I also like the booklet inside the US release, especially the first two inner pages showing the cast of characters. However, I have to say the French art and design wins – a beautiful cover image (better than the UK release with its added colours) and a stunning panoramic image when the digipak is opened up.
Summary
Apart from the commentary, all of the enhancements are simple presentation touches. However, small as they are they do make a world of difference to the whole package. I think the US release is the best 2 disc set since Snow White, despite the fluff
I usually don't care for audio commentaries, but deleted songs would have been great to have.
), I think I'll cancel that order.
