danfrandes wrote:
Could someone possibly release these Disney Special Edition DVDs called...
1. Hercules: Zero to Hero Edition (Coming February 2007)
2. The Sword in the Stone: Wizard’s Edition (Coming July 2007)
3. The Hunchback of Notre Dame: Outcast Edition (Coming August 2007)
4. The Aristocats: Alley Cat Edition (Coming November 2007)
5. Lilo & Stitch: Ohana Edition (Coming February 2008)
6. The Great Mouse Detective: Mystery Edition (Coming July 2008)
7. The Rescuers Down Under: Australian Outback Edition (Coming August 2008)
8. The Black Cauldron: 25th Anniversary Edition (Coming October 2008)
The only people who could possibly release those titles would be Disney themselves. As for that list, I'm afraid to say that 8 classics in 1 year is a lot to ask from Disney. We haven't seen that kind of a release schedule since 2001 when the Gold Classic Collection was attempting to release 2-3 films a month. Maybe a release schedule like that will return if Blue Ray or HDDVD takes off and Disney sees the money making potential. I would LOVE for a "The Black Cauldron" 25th Anniversary Edition to come out in 2008. However, Disney doesn't typically treat this film well because of how poorly it has performed theatrically and in home video releases. Also, "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" has it's 10th Anniversary this year. I personally am hoping for a 2-disc special edition to commemorate it, like they did with "Pocahontas." Hopefully it will be announced very soon for an early 2007 release date, but probably not. Maybe next year we will get one for "Hercules" with a restored animorphic transfer! Next year is it's 10th anniversary. I really think some of the names for these releases are going too far. But what really matters is if we get restored better releases of the films we love. Anyways, here is what I think would be most probable for a release in the next 2 years and why:
"Hercules"- It's anniversary is coming up, the GC release has a music video as a bonus feature and an unrestored non-animorphic transfer. It was last released to DVD in 2000, so it's been 6 years since it's last release. However, Disney has kept this an open edition and they are still making copies of that edition. So it is possible that we won't see a restored version for a while.
"The Hunchback of Notre Dame"- It's anniversary is here and this film has enough fan potential to have a good selling 2-disc set. It was last released to DVD in 2002, but the last release of "Peter Pan" was in 2003 and that is getting a 2-disc PE in March. However, this DVD has remained an open edition as well.
"The Aristocats"- This film has gained much popularity in recent years. On my last trip to Disney World, there was tons of Marie merchandise. It was last released on a bare bones un-restored GC edition in 2000. I think Disney also softly discontinued this title, but I could be wrong. At any rate, I'm expecting Disney to do some form of re-release of this film in the next few years.
"Lilo & Stitch"- Released in 2002 following it's original opening, the success of this film has trememdously taken off. It spawned 3 DTV movies and a popular Disney Channel series. Also, Stitch is now the third highest selling Disney stuffed animal, just under Pooh and Mickey. It has been treated to a 2-disc release already in other countries, so I'm hoping that gets released here too. I think I remember hearing that some parts of the world had the 2-disc "Pocahontas" months before it was announced for release in the US. On the other hand, some countries were treated to 2-disc editions of both "Pinocchio" and "Peter Pan," the later of which is only now being released, and not in the same form.
Here is what I don't think is very likely and why:
"The Sword in the Stone"- Last released in 2001, this film is probably the least popular of the non-package features from Walt's time. It's very clever and entertaining, but lacks the appeal of other features to earn a better release. Also, the GC release was a good release with restored picture, 5.1 sound, deleted song, Sherman brothers featurette, gallary. The only way it could be improved is if they added a making of, which is unlikely. This has been kept an open edition.
"The Great Mouse Detective"- last released in 2002, the DVD treatment was probably the best you could expect from a great film that is underappreciated. It was also restored and had a making of and gallery. The only improvement I can see is the addition of a 5.1 audio track and probably a further restoration. However, this has also been kept an open edition since its release, giving signs that you won't see a re-release anytime soon.
"The Rescuers Down Under"- last released in 2000, I heard this was one of the poorer selling GC releases. It was given almost as bare bones a release as possible, but at least the transfer was animorphic. It's predecessor was released in 2003 with no making of and bare bones features, but both have remained open editions. I think it would be more likely for Disney to re-release the first film in the next 4 years and possibly re-issue TRDU after that, hopefully with some good features for both.
"The Black Cauldron"- Agreeably Disney's greatest flop. At the time, it was the most expensive cartoon ever made and it brought in under $20 million in the US. The only country it had a successful release in was Japan. They even had an attraction in the dungeon of Tokyo Disneyland in which you had to battle the Horned King at the end. It was last released in 2000, but has remained an open edition. However, it was given a non-animorphic transfer and a game and old short as bonus features. The only good thing was the 5.1 surround mix. I would be thrilled to see a 25th anniversay edition in 2008, but it is highly unlikely.
