Song of the South on Dvd Discussion & Speculation Thread

2099net · Post by **2099net** » Wed Apr 28, 2004 2:59 am

Really? Please, tell me. What scenes do we see nothing but as you put it "black slaves by the truckload"? The BOOK may have had many mentions of a lot of black slaves in it (I don't exactly remember, seeing as I read it about 5 or so years ago), but the movie steered clear of showing lots of slaves in one area. Aside from a small work scene in the beginning, the little girls fanning the napping women, and Big Sam and the others going to dig trenches (when all of Atlanta is running away), there were no other major slave scenes. And there were probably 4 or so major black characters (Mammy, Prissy, Big Sam, Pork).

Yeah, but it doesn't matter how many slaves or black characters are shown - or else something like Roots or The Color Purple would be the most racist film in history. It's how those that are shown are treated and presented.

Gone with the Wind may not have any major faults on first viewing and perhaps little may stand out as being "politically incorrect". It's main problem is, like Song of the South is supposed to, it concentrates on showing "happy" slaves. And as such, is criticised for painting an inaccurate picture of the period. In short, it concentrates on what could be seen as the positive aspect of slavery, rather than the harsh reality the vast majority of the slaves experienced. Therefore, while it may not be 100% inaccurate (I'd guess some such progressive households did exist), there is a valid argument it is distorting history.

Now, considering that this is the main complaint against Song of the South, and the characters in Song of the South aren't even slaves, it shows why Gone With the Wind could (and indeed should be) considered more "politically incorrect" than Song of the South.

And of course, Gone with the Wind is a hollywood epic, which people will assume presents a true representation of the period, while Song of the South is a children's film. Singling out Song of the South but not Gone with the Wind is, in my opinion, absolutely absurd.

As for a DVD release of Song of the South, I would expect it to be released internationally soon (say within the next year or two). Over in the UK the film regularly shows up on Network television - there's really no argument for Disney selling it to TV but not on DVD.

Son of the Morning · Post by **Son of the Morning** » Wed Apr 28, 2004 6:04 am

There's another, equally illegal way, to acquire this movie in some form: Download it. I have an 'avi' version of it, which is admittedly grainy, but it's better than nothing.

I wanted the movie, but Disney didn't want me to... and I didn't want to pay out the ass TO BOOTLEGGERS for a knockoff DVD version.

Plus... it's free.

Class316 · Post by **Class316** » Mon May 03, 2004 2:08 pm

Son of the Morning wrote:There's another, equally illegal way, to acquire this movie in some form: Download it. I have an 'avi' version of it, which is admittedly grainy, but it's better than nothing.

I wanted the movie, but Disney didn't want me to... and I didn't want to pay out the ass TO BOOTLEGGERS for a knockoff DVD version.

Plus... it's free.

I prefer the much nicer DVD version. I’m glad I gave money to bootleggers who are giving me things the studios won’t. And it beats paying $400+ for the LD + an LD player.

Mr. Toad · Post by **Mr. Toad** » Mon May 03, 2004 2:42 pm

I am with you Class - if the movie companies dont want to release it, then it becomes public domain. - IMHO. I too am glad their are bootleggers out there to make it available.

mikepatb · Post by **mikepatb** » Mon Aug 09, 2004 8:31 am

Why is it that Disney has released song of the south overseas but her in the US they are afraid of being labled as bigots and wont release if. Its no different than when the old All in the Familys came out on DVD. Sure that show couldnt be made today but it was a sign of the times and is a good history lesson for children. Your thought?

Post by **Luke** » Mon Aug 09, 2004 8:46 am

Welcome to the forum, mikepatb!

We've discussed Song of the South a bunch of times, as you can imagine. But it's not as if the film is readily (legally) available on home video overseas. I believe there were just two laserdisc releases in Asia, and perhaps some VHS releases elsewhere. But as far as I know, these are all out of print.

I'll agree with most folks here that Song of the South should be out on DVD. For most who haven't seen it, I think they'll be surprised (and perhaps in a way, disappointed) that the controversy and offensiveness elements are really not based on the movie, but the perception of the movie and one that's been oversensitized without cause in recent years.

This is a film that was in American theaters in the mid-1980s, and one which aired on BBC 2 last week. A DVD release, be it as Disc 2 of something like "Walt Disney Treasures: The Early Years" or simply under its title, would not cause the outburst that Disney reasons, but current management is opposed to it being issued.

There's no doubt the title would be a big seller for Disney, and would put an end to huge bootleg market, but even in spite of these two obvious facts, there's no DVD release in sight. Which is a shame.

joplin4 · Post by **joplin4** » Mon Aug 09, 2004 10:13 am

Roy Disney would love to release this. It's Eisner that has the problem.

Chicky Mouse · Post by **Chicky Mouse** » Mon Aug 09, 2004 10:30 am

Luke wrote:But it's not as if the film is readily (legally) available on home video overseas. I believe there were just two laserdisc releases in Asia, and perhaps some VHS releases elsewhere. But as far as I know, these are all out of print.

They are still very easy to find. Isn't it weird that Disney would release it 3 times on laserdisc, and on VHS all over the world, except for the country that produced it? Look at all of these:
<img border="0"src="http://www.songofthesouth.net/memorabil ... albeta.jpg" width="250" height="415"><img border="0" src="http://www.songofthesouth.net/memorabil ... ospal1.jpg" width="250" height="411">
<img border="0" src="http://www.songofthesouth.net/memorabil ... lodie1.jpg" width="250" height="408"><img border="0" src="http://www.songofthesouth.net/memorabil ... rland1.jpg" width="250" height="410">
<img border="0" src="http://www.songofthesouth.net/memorabil ... ospal2.jpg" width="250" height="411"><img border="0" src="http://www.songofthesouth.net/memorabil ... derpal.jpg" width="250" height="414">
<img border="0" src="http://www.songofthesouth.net/memorabil ... ancion.jpg" width="250" height="407"><img border="0" src="http://www.songofthesouth.net/memorabil ... lodie2.jpg" width="250" height="407">
<img border="0" src="http://www.songofthesouth.net/memorabil ... japvhs.jpg" width="250" height="405"><img border="0" src="http://www.songofthesouth.net/memorabil ... zuiden.jpg" width="250" height="386">

Eeyore's friend · Post by **Eeyore's friend** » Mon Aug 09, 2004 12:02 pm

I think Disney released Song of the South outside the US because the issues surrounding the film aren't really present elsewhere. I am hopeful that it will be released on dvd here in the UK as we had it on vhs. That would be a good idea for Disney because there certainly is a demand for the film. At least doing it that way would enable people in other countries to purchase the film, provided that they could support PAL. At the end of the day most people would prefer a genuine release over an illegal copy.
A lot of people here are getting excited about a possible dvd release as Song of the South was shown on BBC2 last week. Some have already voiced their opinions to show that Disney may have been "testing the water". Who knows?
I would love to add this film to my collection. It would be nice if it could be released to honour Walt Disney and all he achieved.

deathie mouse · Post by **deathie mouse** » Mon Aug 09, 2004 3:04 pm

I don't understand german but it's listed in Amazon.de (don't know if it says out of stock or unavailable or anything) but it seems their resellers even list it as new between 35 and 50 Euros...
Ich not sprach deutch

http://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/ASIN/B ... imaguid-21

Disney Guru · Post by **Disney Guru** » Mon Aug 09, 2004 3:33 pm

I understand German.

And That page says that Song of The South is out of print. And you have to buy it from sellers used and new. The New Ones would cost about $45.00. The Used Ones would cost about $17.00 or less

disneyunlimited · Post by **disneyunlimited** » Mon Aug 09, 2004 4:53 pm

Then, of course, there are the numerous bootleg copies being advertised for sale on both video and DVD:

e.g. http://www.thesongofthesouth.com

http://songofthesouth.biz

Judging by the poor quality of the screenshots they've included from the movie I wouldn't touch either of these with a bargepole.

The version I recorded from the BBC the other day is a 100x better!

When are Disney going to close these pirates down?

Just Myself · Post by **Just Myself** » Mon Aug 09, 2004 5:09 pm

I've got a bootleg DVD of this film and it's very good, beautiful animation, good lessons, everything you expect in a Disney movie. It's a shame it's not legally available in USA.

disneyunlimited · Post by **disneyunlimited** » Mon Aug 09, 2004 5:15 pm

It depends what your interpretation of "very good" is. If it has Japanese subtitles during the songs then it's been sourced from laserdisc and shouldn't look too bad. Otherwise, it's just a poor quality copy from one of many VHS releases...

Edge · Post by **Edge** » Mon Aug 09, 2004 6:03 pm

I've seen the movie before {its not hard to find online if you know where to look or what programs to download}.

It was a good movie but I can't help but feel that the controversy {over little i might add} has long since overshadowed what was a very good, but probably not great movie.

Ironically i think far more "sensitive" material has been released but hey thats the way of the world.

The only true way to learn from the past it to not pretend it didn't exist. But that is beyond the understanding of some people apparently.

DreamerQ18 · Post by **DreamerQ18** » Mon Aug 09, 2004 11:42 pm

Welcome to the Forum mikepatb look foward to posting with you.

Great pictures Chicky Mouse (Where did you find all those covers?)

Anders M Olsson · Post by **Anders M Olsson** » Tue Aug 10, 2004 12:23 am

Disney Guru wrote:I understand German.

And That page says that Song of The South is out of print. And you have to buy it from sellers used and new. The New Ones would cost about $45.00. The Used Ones would cost about $17.00 or less

Right. And I might add that they come with a German only soundtrack, and that most sellers at the Amazon marketplace in Germany do not ship outside of Germany (there are some exceptions, though).

(Also, they are PAL-tapes, but you already knew that.)

Christian · Post by **Christian** » Tue Aug 10, 2004 12:31 am

It was made in the 1940s and it has black people in it so people think there MUST be something racist about it. The prime misconception is that Walt Disney was trying to show that slaves really had a good life, "Just look how happy Uncle Remus was. There was nothing bad about bein' a slave." Only problem is, Uncle Remus is not a slave . . . at all.

Uncle Remus · Post by **Uncle Remus** » Tue Aug 10, 2004 5:32 am

DreamerQ18 wrote: Great pictures Chicky Mouse (Where did you find all those covers?)

the pictures were from this website:
http://www.songofthesouth.net/

disneyunlimited · Post by **disneyunlimited** » Tue Aug 10, 2004 7:14 am

If you're after a legitimate English version this site seems to be able to supply them:

http://songofthesouth.co.uk

Then again, at a total price of US $240 I can see why most people settle for a $20 bootleg DVD !!!

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Song of the South on Dvd Discussion & Speculation Thread

Song of the South

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Boots!

very good?

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English version