Dumbo: Big Top Edition DVD Press Release & Discussion

[brotherbear]

geez!! I didn't expect the advice to be so divided!!

hmmm...I'm still not sure. There are some major positives and negitives for both releases. I was wondering, is there someone here who can put up the 2 trailers (on youtube.com or on this topic)?? I'm just wondering if they are really good trailers or ones that were like some others i've seen that were a minute or less. Also (for those of you who have both editions), how much of an improvement is the BTE?? (with the exception of the Pink Elephant scene...I already know that scene is worse in quality)??

Thank You so much for your fast replies!!

-BB

[TheSequelOfDisney]

hmm i have big top edition but i dont have the 60th one...maybe ill go out and buy the 60th anniversary one and make my big top actually big top 2-disc edition! lol.

That sounds like a pretty good idea. I own the BTE, too, and I think that this a good idea!

[PixarFan2006]

Just get the big top edition. it's less of a hassle.

BTW You'll have to buy some disney dvds used if they are OOP. And I really wouldn't go on Ebay as you might wind up with a bootleg.

[brotherbear]

BTW You'll have to buy some disney dvds used if they are OOP. And I really wouldn't go on Ebay as you might wind up with a bootleg.

I personally refuse to buy OOP DVD's online. (Especially if they're used...) The smallest scratch on a disk could potentially ruin it. And I'm not willing to take that chance when I could be paying over $20 for it assuming that it works perfectly....you just never know what you might get when you buy a used DVD online!! And as another rule, I dont buy ANY DVD's on eBay...period. I've decided not to do that since hearing all these stories about bootlegs being sold as authentic copys and many of those bootlegs look almost exactly like the real thing! I do buy used DVD's though, but only through actual stores...that I can drive to (aka: Gamestop and my local used movie/music store) That way, I can inspect the disk(s) to be sure they're authentic, and also to look for scratches, etc. These are the Disney DVD's that I bought used:

The Lion King
Beauty and the Beast
Snow White
Fantasia Anthology
Mulan
Brother Bear

...I've bought 7 Disney DVDs used (the Anthology counts as 2)... and 10 new. And all of those above are in pretty good condition (except BatB...the slipcover is worn, and disk 1 has a lot of scratches, but it plays fine which to me is all that matters!)

-BB

[jeremy88]

yeah its actually extremly hard to find authentic OOP disney movies on eBay, the first time I used ebay I got Peter Pan and the Little Mermaid Limited issues bootleg and i was sooo mad cause I knew they were fake once I opened the package. After that, movies like Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and the Beast I made sure they were authentic, I mean I would ask the seller a bunch of question like if they were sealed? does it have the buena vista stamp? where was it bought?. But not only did I want the real versions I wanted the slip covers too! So I ended paying about $49.00 for Beauty and the Beast and $43.00 for Sleeping Beauty. Which is kind of a bummer since they were only around $20 when they were released, but I figure "well I want them now and who knows when there going to be re-released.." But Im actually very happy with those two purchases since they are authentic. Surpisingly I got The Lion King PE for only $23.00 sealed and with the slip cover. This November will be the anniversary since I started my Disney DVD Collection I had already had Snow White PE becuase my mom bought it back in 01 and I had already had Lilo an Stitch, but last November was when I decided to start collecting them since I had bought Aladdin PE and Alice in Wonderland ME. Its nice to have them on DVD because I had most of the DAC on VHS but I dont know what ever happened to them...and I have no idea why I just said my entire Disney DVD story, hehe sorry about my randomnes lol.

[slave2moonlight]

It didn't used to be hard to get legit Disney DVDs off Ebay. I remember getting a couple there, but a long time ago. I think one was Lady and the Tramp (the first release), and the other might have been one of the package films. It seems it HAS gotten very bad though, which isn't good because I have missed a few things.

Now, as for Dumbo, I have the 60th Anniversary Edition and haven't gotten the BTE yet. I've been planning to, but have no idea when I will because I have a lot of other stuff to get that won't be double dipping. So, I'm always looking for tips on whether or not I need to double dip too. A friend of mine has convinced me that I MUST get the BTE because it looks soooooo much better (having been restored) than the Anniversary Edition. Anyone agree with that assessment? This friend of mine absolutely hated the 60th Anniversary Edition. It didn't look that bad to me, because I grew up with the TV airings so I have always been used to seeing Disney films in poor quality (and still loving them), but I, of course, want the best picture possible (unless it is hardly a noticeable difference, which is why I've opted NOT to double dip on Fox and the Hound).

[lapniappe]

i've gotten a couple of dvds off ebay - they've all been sealed....i don't remember off hand if I've ever won any used. however, I know those who sell the used authentic Disney ones actually allows you to return them if you find fault with it.

Actually, now just remember, I got my entire Gilmore Girls used and they work great

a good chunk of change of my dvd collection IS used too so (shrug)

[slave2moonlight]

I have only tried to buy a used DVD once, but it was so messed up (it was a formal rental) that I had to return it and just buy the film new. Since then, I never buy used DVDs. However, I got a used one from a friend once who picked it up at a garage sale for me, and that one was fine (looked unscratched and new). Still, for safety's sake, I avoid getting anything used anymore.

[brotherbear]

I just wanted to update you guys- I'm going to buy the 60th aniversary ed. soon. A gamestop has it for 12.99 which is located about an hour and 1/2 drive from where I live. But what's nice is that the manager at this store lives in the same town as me, so he's going to bring the DVD to my Gamestop (hopefully) by 7pm tommorow. Which is pretty exciting. But the thing is, (which I just realized when he asked me about it) is that i've tried to have him bring Snow White to my gamestop before, but it turned out to be the non-disney version...and it appeared at my store like, a week later. But I'm pretty sure its the Disney version (is there really any other version of Dumbo out there?!?!) because he expicitly said it was the 60th Aniv. He also said that the DVD is in the best shape he's seen (when compared 2 other DVD's they get)...So, I'm hopeing its turns out ok.

Oh, and I also plan to buy the BTE when I get more money...but since it's pretty easy to find, I'm not going to worry about it. I'm planning on taking jeremy88's idea of making the 2 versions into one 2-Disk set....I'm actually thinking about doing that for Robin Hood as well (since disk one could be widescreen, and disk 2-fullscreen)...but anyway, that's my story.

-BB

[reyquila]

Both, of course!!!

[BATBfan1]

the 60th all the way! Big Top is a BAD rip off of it! However, I do own both now lol. OH well.

[Jungleprince_55]

I now have both since i found the 60th anniversary edition at gamestop and i perfer the 60th over the BT. I'm not really sure why but the 60th is just nicer looking and I really didn't see that much of improvement in the BT transfer to the 60th, I Actually like the 60th transfer better, It will probably be the one i watch the most.

[slave2moonlight]

Well, if this is the case, I might skip the Big Top Edition. Anyone else agree that the picture improvement is not that much? I'm just surprised, because a friend of mine said it was sooo much better. She refused to buy the 60th Anniversary Edition because she said it was horrible looking, because it had not been restored. She raved about the Big Top Edition.

[Escapay]

Well, if this is the case, I might skip the Big Top Edition. Anyone else agree that the picture improvement is not that much? I'm just surprised, because a friend of mine said it was sooo much better. She refused to by the 60th Anniversary Edition because she said it was horrible looking, because it had not been restored. She raved about the Big Top Edition.

IMO, the new Dumbo transfer is more like taking an old dusty picture frame and wiping it down with a dry paper towel. It's removing a significant amount of dirt, but it's still not quite as clean and polished as one would like. Don't see how yoru friend can consider it a HUGE improvement.

Kram has the BTE, and I see no reason to double-dip, no matter how much I love Jim Brickman and Kassie DePaiva. So if I ever feel like watching that music video, I'll just steal - er, borrow, Kram's copy.

Escapay

[disneylover2006]

if i had to choose between the two versions i would choose the big top edition because it has better picture quality

[DisneyFreak5282]

Yeah, I was debating on that one too. I'll probably get the BTE only because it's easier to find.

[slave2moonlight]

I guess I will stop worrying so much about upgrading to the BTE. However, if I ever find it at a good price and at the right time, I'll probably pick it up then.

[musicradio77]

I have the "Black Diamond" edition of "Dumbo" on VHS tape, but I don't have the "Big Top" and the 60th Anniversary edition DVD's.

[brotherbear]

Hey again!

Just wanted to let you guys know that I picked this DVD up yesterday (the 60th Anniv. Ed.), and it is definately NOT a bootleg- again, 100% Authentic!! woohoo!! And, I also watched the DVD to make sure that it worked ok and was not defective: It worked just fine. Overall, I agree with most people that posted on this topic. This tranfer of Dumbo wasn't that bad. I thought it was VERY colorful (more so than I expected), and although it did have its moments of grainyness, it wasn't that horrible. The only REALLY bad spot I noticed was during the Pink Elephant scene. This is when the elephants start marching around the shot of Dumbo and Timmothy Mouse watching them. In that short clip, the elephants look ok, but Dumbo and Timmothy are VERRRY grainy. When I first saw this, I immediately thought, "So...That's what "Dumbo" looked like in around 1950....and in rapid deterioration...."

Overall, for only $12.99, I'm happy with this purchase. One thing though, What (besides the DisneyPedia) is GAINED in the "Big Top Edition"? Honestly, if that is the only thing new as far as bonus features with a smidge of a better picture quality, then I might just pass on also buying the BTE...it would then be like buying the same DVD 2x...(which to me is pointless, unless you plan to sell it later and make a huge profit). As far as the trailers, I thought they were cute, but very similar...but worth the effort.

-BB

[Escapay]

One thing though, What (besides the DisneyPedia) is GAINED in the "Big Top Edition"? Honestly, if that is the only thing new as far as bonus features with a smidge of a better picture quality, then I might just pass on also buying the BTE...

As the reviewby Aaron states:

New to this disc is a music video for Jim Brickman and Kassie DePaiva's rendition of "Baby Mine" (4:00).

(snip)

The new disc doesn't lose any games or activities, but it does add one new one: "DisneyPedia: 'My First Circus'."

Love both Brickman and DePaiva (she's a soap opera actress), but don't know if I love them enough to get a music video and a new transfer of Dumbo.

Escapay