Beauty & the Beast original colors - in upcoming platinu

[pap64]

Oh wow...

I have NO issues with any version of Beauty and the Beast. My only concern is that the colors look very red, which makes the film look different when compared to, say, Little Mermaid, Aladdin and such. But I love "Human Again", still love the characters, still love the story and still place it as one of the best movies of all time.

Escapay: I believe the biggest reason as to why the fans get so offended over the work done on the film is because they fear Disney pulls a George Lucas.

We all know what Lucas did. He took the Star Wars films, made them, re-made them, deleted things, added things, updated things etc. etc. until the fans got fed up with it and moved on. And to a certain extend, I agree. I mean I understand that as an artist you have the right to redo your work and fix what you couldn't do the first time. BUT, you CAN fall victim to your own vanity and insecurity, meaning that what was already a fine looking piece of art gets diminished by the constant changes.

I think you HAVE to agree that it can get to the point where the creators just lose it. Not saying that the Beauty and the Beast creators ARE ruining the film. In fact, this new release just seems to be the 2001 version in HD and digital 3D. Just stating that there's the fear that what was once special might lose its appeal due to the creators constantly changing it.

[2099net]

I either read that animator say that, or you just mentioned it before, but I remember hearing something about that.

Should Julie Andrews re-shoot some scenes in Mary Poppins because, all these years later, she thinks that she didn't do a good enough job? Same sort of thing, no?

Well, of course, its impossible to do so seamlessly due to ageing. But assuming ageing wasn't a problem why not? After all Mary Poppins: Special Edition would be a "new" film. Surely the point of making a new film from an old one would (partly) be to correct perceived deficiencies.

I think its important to note Beauty and the Beast was rushed out - the prologue was originally different and fully animated, but the animators ran out of time. Lots of sequences in Disney films have been re-animated lots of times before they are released: The Aurora dancing in the forest in Sleeping Beauty is probably the most famous. The constant reanimating of that sequence held the film back so much that even Walt got fed up with it.

That's one of the reasons Walt Disney Feature Animation is better quality (and more expensive) than the majority of other animated films. Its because the company allowed animators to redo scenes - despite costing the company time and money. Andreas Deja talks about animating a single scene ten or more times until it was right on one of the DVDs. Sadly, I can't remember which one.

Just because the Cogsworth sequence was included in the original film doesn't mean it was artistically what the creative team or artist wanted. What has more artisitic integrity and respect for the animators? Putting out a probably rushed sequence the original animator was never happy with or allowing him to reanimate it for what is - let's remember - technically a new film?

Of course, in reality I suspect both options are just as bad as each other due to the time gap between animations. Its unrealistic to expect the animator to duplicate his best work on a character after so many years away and I also suspect the Special Edition budget didn't allow for more than 2 or 3 attempts to correct the scene... meaning the replacement was probably just as rushed and unsatisfactory in the eyes of the animator.

[Cordy_Biddle]

John Carpenter had to go back and shoot two additional scenes when "Halloween" was sold to TV but fell slightly short of the required running-time; so your whole 'Mary Poppins' idea could--scarily--be feasible if Disney wanted to do it.

[blackcauldron85]

But just because the next mainstream format comes along doesn't mean they are obligated to immediately release their entire catalogue into that format, even if fans want it.

But it's not even about "Someday, A Light in the Forest will be available to own on a normally-priced DVD". It's about, "Beauty and the Beast may never see the light of day again in the original version". And, yes, I know that the VHS and Laserdiscs are out there- just go on Amazon Marketplace or Half.com. Ugh, I was going to make a point, but I kind of forgot it... Also, many people have never had a laserdisc player, and many people's VCRs died and haven't bought another one. Let me try to think of how I was going to word my thought... It was going to be something about if Disney said that they would never again release a certain title after the current DVD/Blu-ray is vaulted. But I don't remember what my thought was after that. So nevermind, I guess.

And I know that Disney isn't obligated, necessarily, to release each and every movie on each and every new format. But the films (and I'm really talking about live-action films that have yet to be released on DVD) are kind of being ignored. I mean, yay for DMC Exclusives, you know? Some of these movies (like The Castaway Cowboy, which was recently released to DVD) have expensive used VHS tapes on the market...normal people don't want to spend $50+ on a used movie, let alone a VHS tape. One could argue, if Disney cares about their movies, they'd want to release them. I mean, in some ways, we need to be grateful that the wrong-aspect-ratio, barebones DVDs of some films were released...at least we have them to own and can watch them whenever we want. The original version of Beauty and the Beast doesn't get that option. Are you (you meaning anyone) glad that The Journey of Natty Gann was released to DVD? But why? It looks just like it would on the VCR! I'm glad that it was released on DVD. As I said earlier, VHS tapes wear out, VCRs wear out. DVD is a more durable media that isn't likely to wear out.

But the final decision on its release is Disney's and whether they feel it's financially viable to release it. At the end of the day, every release is judged by how much money it will make, not how much it will satisfy the fans who ask for it.

This is a case of I didn't read your next sentence after what I quoted above. We were kind of getting at the same thing. At the same time, how much money does Disney expect to get from the DMC Exclusives? Those aren't necessarily the most sought-out titles in the Disney catalog. It's very nice of them, though, to respect the films and give them an audience.

"it's our god-given right as fans to get the film the way we want it."

I think it's also about giving the film respect. Yes, I get that the company had a release date, and that everyone working on the film had to complete it by then, including using some shortcuts, maybe. And I know, respecting an inanimate object- Amy, what are you on? But...ugh, I don't know how to word it. Like on TCM, it's great that those films are getting an audience, not just sitting in a vault somewhere not being watched. Many of the films on TCM aren't available, either at all, or at least not on DVD, so you'd have to search for a used VHS tape. And I know that B&tB, either the original or Special Edition version, is available. We should be grateful that B&tB got a Platinum Edition DVD in 2002. I am- I was glad to replace my VHS tape. And there are some nice documentaries on the disc. Yes, part of the argument is the fans are upset that we're not being given the version that we fell in love with. Part of it, to me, anyway, is that the original version isn't being given the respect that it deserves. I mean, it does have historical context. That version of the film, the version that the filmmakers and Disney supposedly deemed worthy of a release, was the first film in history to be nominated for Best Picture! I mean, that says something about the film.

Changing gears a bit:
How many of you think that, had the current changes been there from the start, that the film still would have been nomimated for Best Picture? Would it have mattered at all? It's still essentially the same film. I mean, if you don't mention the backgrounds or reanimation, the only new thing is the "Human Again" sequence. Do you think that that is a hindrance to the film, that it makes it worse? The backgrounds and the reanimation do change the tone of the film. It isn't as dark, maybe, as it should be, maybe not as serious.

A lost film would be something like Greta Garbo's The Divine Woman (of which only 9 minutes exist) or the many films of Theda Bara that are completely lost (only 3 exist in their entirety, and she was in over 40 films).

I was actually reading about lost films the other day, coincedentally. I guess I should have used the term "commercially unavailable film", so my bad on using the wrong term. Wikipedia lists Song of the South as a "commercially unavailable film". It does exist on home video, so do you disagree with calling SOTS a "commercially unavailable film"? Also on Wikipedia as a "commercially unavailable film":

The 1970 Beatles film Let It Be has been out of commercial release for more than two decades. It was available from Magnetic Home Video (and later from CBS/FOX Home Video) on VHS and laserdisc, last available around 1984.

Would you disagree that Let It Be is a commercially unavailable film?

We all know what Lucas did. He took the Star Wars films, made them, re-made them, deleted things, added things, updated things etc. etc. until the fans got fed up with it and moved on. And to a certain extend, I agree. I mean I understand that as an artist you have the right to redo your work and fix what you couldn't do the first time. BUT, you CAN fall victim to your own vanity and insecurity, meaning that what was already a fine looking piece of art gets diminished by the constant changes.

I think you HAVE to agree that it can get to the point where the creators just lose it. Not saying that the Beauty and the Beast creators ARE ruining the film. In fact, this new release just seems to be the 2001 version in HD and digital 3D. Just stating that there's the fear that what was once special might lose its appeal due to the creators constantly changing it.

Very good point, and very well said. I, too, will be looking forward to Albert's reply!

Just because the Cogsworth sequence was included in the original film doesn't mean it was artistically what the creative team or artist wanted.

Of course, in reality I suspect both options are just as bad as each other due to the time gap between animations. Its unrealistic to expect the animator to duplicate his best work on a character after so many years away and I also suspect the Special Edition budget didn't allow for more than 2 or 3 attempts to correct the scene... meaning the replacement was probably just as rushed and unsatisfactory in the eyes of the animator.

I completely agree. Did the new Cogsworth animation fulfill the directors' dreams that were left unfulfilled with the 1991 version? We know that the directors (and Alan Menken, and I guess the whole creative team) were pleased with the inclusion of "Human Again". It also makes one wonder, what else were the filmmakers unhappy with? Had they the time and the money, would they have changed the film even further than they did for the Special Edition?
And do you all feel just as strongly about the changes made to TLM, Aladdin, and TLK, or is B&tB extra special for some reason? I'll be the first to admit that the priest's absent knee sticks out like a sore thumb, just like the alligators in TLK. And, again, I still immensely enjoy the films, but I still notice these things.

About the coloring: Did the directors have an issue with the original colors? I mean more so the shadows and whatnot, I suppose. Like, were the filmmakers unhappy that the Beast was in shadows before Belle asks him to step out into the light? Was it always their intent to have him be not as shadowy? Or was that out of their hands, done by technicians? I wonder their thoughts on that. I think they'd probably say, "Oh, sure, that was always our intent", because I can't imagine them saying bad things about the Special Edition for some reason.

[Matt]

I wonder if Beauty and the Beast Enchanted Christmas and Belle's Magical World will get a re-release as well?

[Rudy Matt]

What have we done to deserve such punishment?

[Cordy_Biddle]

I thought "Enchanted Christmas" was actually quite lovely; though I could care less about "Belle's Magical World".

[nomad2010]

I thought "Enchanted Christmas" was actually quite lovely; though I could care less about "Belle's Magical World".

Enchanted Christmas was wonderful. Probably one of the nicest sequels we have ever gotten. Not to mention it has Tim Curry in it. javascript:emoticon(':o') I do love Tim Curry.

[disneyboy20022]

I thought "Enchanted Christmas" was actually quite lovely; though I could care less about "Belle's Magical World".

Yeah...I agree on both of those statements....I thought Belle's Magical World though was available even after Beauty and the Beast and its Enchancted Christmas DTV was sent to the vault....I esicially like the christmas song....I can imagine myself singing that or someone else singing that for a contest like America's Got Talent Over For a Moment in Little Mermaid II or the song about Tip and Dash (the penguin and the Walrus) I can't imagine anyone wanting to sing that at all......the song There will always be Christmas really you would think came from a theatrical film....a family film..if you find the right voice...

But I think Belle's Magical world really isn't and I know a lot of you know this but I will say it....I think it comes from when they were trying to do an animated series such as perhaps The Little Mermaid....but obviously more people wanted mermaid over Belle and the Beast cartoon series...I am beginning to see a track here of how Disney chooses there Cartoon Series via if they don't work.....put them on DVD such as the Enchanted Tales series special edition and such as Atlantis II: Milo's Return and other types of series...

[Cordy_Biddle]

I thought "Enchanted Christmas" was actually quite lovely; though I could care less about "Belle's Magical World".

Yeah...I agree on both of those statements....I thought Belle's Magical World though was available even after Beauty and the Beast and its Enchancted Christmas DTV was sent to the vault....I esicially like the christmas song....I can imagine myself singing that or someone else singing that for a contest like America's Got Talent Over For a Moment in Little Mermaid II or the song about Tip and Dash (the penguin and the Walrus) I can't imagine anyone wanting to sing that at all......the song There will always be Christmas really you would think came from a theatrical film....a family film..if you find the right voice...

But I think Belle's Magical world really isn't and I know a lot of you know this but I will say it....I think it comes from when they were trying to do an animated series such as perhaps The Little Mermaid....but obviously more people wanted mermaid over Belle and the Beast cartoon series...I am beginning to see a track here of how Disney chooses there Cartoon Series via if they don't work.....put them on DVD such as the Enchanted Tales series special edition and such as Atlantis II: Milo's Return and other types of series...

Oh, I completely break down when Belle and Angelique sing the reprise of "There'll Always Be Christmas". It's a movie which rises above the unfortunate reputation that the Disney video sequels have "earnt".

[disneyboy20022]

also...anyone remember the compilation of disney shorts in the form of Belle the storyteller?? here's the vhs if you forgot

http://www.amazon.com/Belles-Tales-Frie ... 624&sr=1-1

[Cordy_Biddle]

Hmmmm....I'm not sure if we got this video in Australia. We had a lot of the "Little Mermaid" and "Aladdin" TV episodes in a Disney Princess video series (each came with a collectible charm bracelet), but I don't recall seeing the live action Belle title.

[ajmrowland]

I actually remember seeing it on tv sometimes. We didn't get Disney Channel at the time. I saw it at other peoples' houses and such.

[DisneyJedi]

So.... any chance that the Disney Digital 3D, let alone the Blu-ray, version of the movie WON'T have the picture cropped, if you know what I mean?

[Marky_198]

I wonder if Beauty and the Beast Enchanted Christmas and Belle's Magical World will get a re-release as well?

Actually, this version will be the new 3d version of BATB and the only one available for the rest of time on earth.

Because the directors realized that this is actually what they wanted when the original film was made.

[Wonderlicious]

Hmmmm....I'm not sure if we got this video in Australia. We had a lot of the "Little Mermaid" and "Aladdin" TV episodes in a Disney Princess video series (each came with a collectible charm bracelet), but I don't recall seeing the live action Belle title.

I seem to remember going to a holiday home when I was young where they had the Disney Channel (which had only recently started in the UK) and they showed that programme (called "Sing me a Story with Belle". And I believe it was released on video in the US (in a "Princess Collection"...seems like the situation concerning the merchandising of Disney's female characters was the same ten or fifteen years ago ):



By the way, as there's still so much bickering, I'll say it again; for something to get in a real fuss about, let's have a nosey at these websites. They all cover real current affairs, which I've heard might affect us very greatly. Ten times more so than the colour of Belle's hair, as well:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/
http://www.cnn.com/
http://www.nytimes.com/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/
http://www.independent.ie/
http://www.lemonde.fr/
http://www.lefigaro.fr/
http://www.sueddeutsche.de/
http://www.nzz.ch/
http://www.elpais.com/global/
http://www.telegraaf.nl/
http://www.repubblica.it/
http://www.asahi.com/

[blackcauldron85]

By the way, as there's still so much bickering, I'll say it again; for something to get in a real fuss about, let's have a nosey at these websites. They all cover real current affairs, which I've heard might affect us very greatly. Ten times more so than the colour of Belle's hair, as well:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/
http://www.cnn.com/
http://www.nytimes.com/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/
http://www.independent.ie/
http://www.lemonde.fr/
http://www.lefigaro.fr/
http://www.sueddeutsche.de/
http://www.nzz.ch/
http://www.elpais.com/global/
http://www.telegraaf.nl/
http://www.repubblica.it/
http://www.asahi.com/

But this is a website about Disney- we're SUPPOSED to get into a tizzy about colors and aspect ratios and shadows and lace collars. It's just what we do.

And I definitely don't speak those .fr, .de, .ch, .nl, and .it languages, so...um, they wouldn't do me much good.

[Jack Skellington]

Looks like we might get to see a 3D bluray for BATB :
http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=3417

[ajmrowland]

So.... any chance that the Disney Digital 3D, let alone the Blu-ray, version of the movie WON'T have the picture cropped, if you know what I mean?

Considering the way most modern films are presented, it seems a pretty safe bet that we'll get an uncropped version. I wouldn't be surprised if current screens couldn't even be adjusted to any width/height ratio smaller than that of 1:75.1 or an HDTV.

[Jules]

There is a question of whether people will be motivated to purchase new 3-D high-definition TV sets and Blu-ray players, when many have only recently upgraded to the high-def world. But Ho believes that consumers are starting to get interested in purchasing multiple high-def products for their households.

“More and more people are looking to get another HDTV,” said Ho. “Many have their first TV and are looking for their second. Many of those [for sale] will be 3-D-enabled. We are optimistic [about this market.]

Oh yeah, I'm sure every family living in Western countries is planning on reupgrading their already expensive Blu-ray and HDTV system.

The_Iceflash will be the first to recklessly bulldoze his way through the queue to get the first 3D Blu-ray disc player. I'm warning you!