Alice in Wonderland 1985 Mini Series Coming to DVD

[Disneykid]

It sounds dorky, but I nearly cried tears of joy when I read this. According to a Sony press release HomeTheaterForum posted, the two-part Alice in Wonderland mini series is finally coming to DVD August 1st. This is the one Alice adaptation that I actually like a tad more than the Disney film itself (stop gasping). This film is all warm and snuggly whereas the Disney film is rather cold by comparison (I always to watch Disney's version before this one anytime I'm having an Alice marathon, otherwise it kind of suffers). Here's the press release:

ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Debuts on DVD on August 1


Culver City, CA (May 22, 2006) – Lewis Carroll’s best-loved children’s books, Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass have thrilled generations. Now these delightful stories will be available for families to enjoy when Sony Pictures Home Entertainment releases the Emmy®-nominated Alice in Wonderland on DVD on August 1, 2006. Alice in Wonderland will be available for $19.94.

Produced by Oscar® nominee Irwin Allen (The Towering Inferno) and directed by Emmy® winner Harry Harris (TV’s Fame, 7th Heaven), Alice in Wonderland on DVD includes both stories, Alice in Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass in one movie. The film features songs by Grammy® winner Steve Allen (best known as the original host of The Tonight Show). The all-star cast includes Oscar® winners Shelley Winters (Diary of Anne Frank, Lolita) and Ernest Borgnine (Marty, From Here to Eternity), Emmy® winners Beau Bridges (TV’s My Name is Earl, The Fabulous Baker Boys), Sid Caesar (TV’s Your Show of Shows) and Sally Struthers (TV’s All in the Family, Gilmore Girls), Oscar® nominee Pat Morita (The Karate Kid), Emmy® nominee John Stamos (TV’s Jake in Progress) and musical legend Ringo Starr (A Hard Day’s Night, TV’s Thomas the Tank Engine) as well as dozens of other stars from film, television, stage and music.

One of the greatest childhood fantasies ever, Alice’s adventures begin when she chases a very unusual White Rabbit and stumbles into a world that grows curiouser and curiouser! As she tries to find her way back home, Alice attends a tea party with a Mad Hatter, plays a strange form of croquet with some unusual royalty and meets a Cheshire Cat, a Mock Turtle, and, of course, Tweedledee and Tweedeldum. This stunning production of Alice in Wonderland was nominated for five Emmy® Awards, including Art Direction, Costume Design, Makeup, Hairstyling and Sound Editing.

In addition, Alice in Wonderland will be available in a 2-pack DVD set with Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella starring Lesley Ann Warren.



DVD Catalog #:
15215
DVD UPC Code:
43396152151
DVD Order Date:
6/29/05
DVD SLP:
19.94
Running Time
190 mins.
Rating
NR

So...anyone else remember this version? Anyone else looking forward to it? I'm so glad this is coming out. I was afraid I'd have to stick my VHS tapes in the freezer or something since WB took it out of print. Now I see why since Sony apparently bought the rights. Kudos to Sony!

[Luke]

I remembered your fondness for this production and figured you would be happy when I read this news, DK!

[Wonderlicious]

I'm also quite interested in seeing this again. I remember renting the "Wonderland" segment of the mini-series when I was around six, but never saw the "Looking Glass" part (mainly as the video shop didn't have a copy of part two). I can hardly remember certain parts of it, so perhaps it will be good to rejog my memory, and with a fairly cheap price.

[MinnieMe]

Oh wow!!! This is so exciting! I saw that the VHS tapes in the clamshell packaging were going for like $70 a piece on ebay a few months ago.

I'll definitely be buying this one!

[Disneykid]

The cover out's out, now. It, um, looks rather cheap:



It's obvious they digitally colored a black and white pic for whatever reason (surely there are plenty of color promotional photos for them to choose from). WB's VHS covers were much classier:




Ah, well. I'm just grateful to be getting this thing on DVD...

[Leonia]

I wonder if it'll have any extras on it?

[Disneykid]

As far as I know, no, and I wasn't really expecting any, anyway. Most of the cast is still around, but I doubt they'd do interviews since they may consider themselves "above" this kind of material, now. This site has a great article from TV Guide from the time of the movie's airing:

http://www.alice-in-wonderland.fsnet.co ... allen1.htm

[DisneyPrincess]

I am excited that these are coming to dvd. I watched the series when it originally aired and was a very impressed 6 year old. I recognized most of the actors from other shows, and it was fun to see who I could find playing the parts.

I was lucky enough to find vhs copies of these at Wal-Mart a few years back for $3.88, so I at least have the vhs versions. I will definitely be buying this on dvd though, my 6 year old daughter will enjoy these very much.

Thanks for the info!

[totallyminnie86]

That version scared me so badly when I was little! But I'm glad its coming to dvd, its always great when they remember the obscure things from the 80s and still find them worthy of dvd.