Beauty And The Beast: Diamond Edition Discussion Oct. 5th!

[ajmrowland]

I'm sure there are some other things not classified, like the Music Videos, which are not likely at all to see the light of day again, and................

[KubrickFan]

00:00:28:22 DON HAHN - PRODUCER (INTRO TO 1991 WORK IN PROGRESS EDITION)
00:01:10:03 (INTRO - ALTERNATE SONG VERSION: "BE OUR GUEST")
00:01:02:14 (INTRO - PENCIL ANIMATION - "THE TRANSFORMATION")
00:00:38:04 (INTRO - CAMERA MOVE TEST)
00:00:39:17 (INTRO - DELETED SONG - "HUMAN AGAIN" (ALAN MENKEN))
00:00:26:03 (INTRO - DEMO RECORDINGS)
00:00:22:01 (INTRO - ALTERNATE SCORE: "DEATH OF THE BEAST")
00:00:35:07 (INTRO - EARLY PRESENTATION REEL)
00:00:43:20 (INTRO - DELETED SONG - "HUMAN AGAIN" (DON HAHN))
00:00:32:04 (INTRO - THEATRICAL TRAILERS AND TELEVISION COMMERCIALS)
00:04:51:24 (ANIMATION TESTS
ROUGHS AND CLEAN-UP)
00:01:34:13 (ALTERNATE SCORE: "DEATH OF THE BEAST")
00:06:55:01 (DELETED SONG: "HUMAN AGAIN")
00:02:10:01 (EARLY PRESENTATION REEL)
00:00:22:16 (INTRO - MUSIC VIDEO "BEAUTY AND THE BEAST")

If the work in progress version is on it, the original 1991 version must be on there as well.

[Disneykid]

"A Transformation" was an interview with Glen Keane about the transformation sequence both from a professional and personal point of view. It's a fantastic featurette that'll definitely go missed if it's not ported over.

"Death of the Beast" is definitely more accurate. I never understood why they called the alternate score "The Transformation" when the music was from from the death scene right beforehand.

It makes me really happy to see so many of the old DVD features brought over after what happened with Snow White. I'm not expecting the old documentary or the abbreviated version hosted by Celine Dion to be carried over, I won't really miss it/them as long as the new documentary is excellent.

Just to recap, this is what we know is going to be on this release thus far:

DISC ONE:
* 2002 Special Edition Version
* 1991 Original Theatrical Version (?)
* 1991 Work-in-Progress Introduction (0:28 )
* 1991 Work-in-Progress Version
* Introduction and Deleted Scenes: Belle in the Library (8:40)
* Yet-to-be-named Supplements (18:07)

DISC TWO:
* Beyond Beauty: The Untold Stories of Beauty and the Beast (51:10)
* Broadway Beginnings (12:33)
* Composing a Classic: A Musical Conversation with Alan Menken, Don Hahn, and Richard Craft (19:26)

Story
* Early Presentation Reel Introduction (0:35)
* Early Presentation Reel (2:10)
* Story Reel Introduction (0:34)
* Story Reel
* “Be Our Guest” Introduction (1:10)
* "Be Our Guest" Alternate Version

Animation
* Animation Tests (4:51)
* “The Transformation” Introduction (1:02)
* "The Transformation" Pencil Version
* Camera Move Test Introduction (0:38 )
* Camera Move Test

Music
* Demo Recordings Introduction (0:26)
* Demo Recordings
* “Human Again” Introduction: Don Hahn (0:43)
* “Human Again” Introduction: Alan Menken (0:39)
* “Human Again” Deleted Song (6:55)
* “Death of the Beast” Introduction (0:22)
* "Death of the Beast” Alternate Score (1:34)

Publicity
* Trailers and TV Spots Introduction (0:32)
* Trailers and TV Spots
* “Beauty and the Beast” Music Video Introduction (0:22)
* "Beauty and the Beast" Music Video by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson

The Story Behind the Story
* Introduction (1:37)
* Cinderella (2:28 )
* The Lion King (3:26)
* Pocahontas (3:02)
* The Jungle Book (2:43)
* Sleeping Beauty (2:31)
* Mulan (2:42)
* The Hunchback of Notre Dame (2:32)
* Conclusion (2:18 )

* Chip's Musical Challenge Set-Top Game

It seems like the supplements will be structured like the PE's since we've got two intros for "Human Again." That means the storyboarded version will be in both "Story" and "Music" sections of the disc (unless they put one of them on disc one with the deleted scenes).

I'm really happy to see song demos included. This was the only thing (apart from the "making of" TV special) that I felt the old release was lacking in. Hopefully all of the demos that appeared in The Music Behind the Magic set will appear here. There's a particularly funny one where Menken struggles through the title song and grows more and more frustrated.

[BK]

^music behind the magic? is that from the LD?

[Elladorine]

^music behind the magic? is that from the LD?

There was an amazing CD set available back in the mid-90's that contained the demos from this and a few other films: http://www.amazon.com/Music-Behind-Magi ... 000001M4M/ . . . it also included a book.

[Sotiris]

^music behind the magic? is that from the LD?

There was an amazing CD set available back in the mid-90's that contained the demos from this and a few other films: http://www.amazon.com/Music-Behind-Magi ... 000001M4M/ . . . it also included a book.

I really wish someone would upload it. It has 87 tracks on 4 discs. I'd love to get my hand on the scans of the booklet too.

[Elladorine]

There was an amazing CD set available back in the mid-90's that contained the demos from this and a few other films: http://www.amazon.com/Music-Behind-Magi ... 000001M4M/ . . . it also included a book.

I really wish someone would upload it. It has 87 tracks on 4 discs. I'd love to get my hand on the scans of the booklet too.

I wish I could, but I lost my set a few years ago.

[jpanimation]

This was the only thing (apart from the "making of" TV special) that I felt the old release was lacking in.

I've given up on these old "making of" Disney Channel specials ever showing up on these extensive sets. Disney invests a lot of money into producing these new extensive docs and they use ever bit worth keeping from the old ones. While nostalgic people like me mourn it's loss and are upset that they wouldn't at least include it in standard-def on the Blu-ray set (as it would take up little room), everyone else could care less.

I'm sure this new doc will be the best one yet and this new set will be the best compilation of bonus features yet (they're porting WAY more then Snow White did). I'm really happy with the list of features so far. If they have the original theatrical colors, it could definitely be considered definitive (or as close to it as we'll get).

I'm also excited that they're keeping the original music video by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson. I hope this means Aladdin, Mulan and all the other sets will keep their original music videos (I could care less about the ones produced specifically for the DVDs).

[Escapay]

Anyone else notice that Don Hahn's intro for the 1991 Work in Progress is included on disc TWO according to BBFC? I'm assuming/hoping that means that it is being treated as a feature separate from the 1991 theatrical/2001 IMAX versions.

Could the Blu-Ray disc set-up be this?

Disc 1:
-1991 Theatrical & 2001 IMAX via seamless branching (84/90min)
-Cine-Explore (90min, likely for the IMAX version)
-Commentary (90min, if it's ported over)
-Unknown Disc 1 Feature (18min)
-Deleted Scenes: Belle in the Library (9min)

Disc 2:
-1991 WiP (84min)
-Beyond Beauty: The Untold Stories Behind the Making of Beauty and the Beast (51min)
-Broadway Beginnings (12.5min)
-Composing a Classic: A Musical Conversation with Alan Menken, Don Hahn, and Richard Craft (19.5min)
-Various Supplements (75min&Song Demos - I got the runtime by adding up the BBFC classified stuff and the not-yet-classified stuff related to them; it would be 78 if "A Transformation: Glen Keane" were included, and I hope it will be)

I certainly wouldn't mind that, especially as they wouldn't have to worry about branching problems. Though I'd prefer if the 1991 theatrical and WiP were on one to ensure the colors are the same, with the 2001 IMAX on the other in their own colors. The DVD set-up likely will not include most of the new stuff (I'm assuming it won't have "Beyond Beauty" or "Broadway Beginnings"), if Snow White is any indication.

I'm relatively happy with all the special features so far, but like Kelvin, I really wish the 1991 Making-Of were included. Not only for nostalgic purposes, but it'd also be great for the Publicity section with the trailers/tv spots, and it has interview footage that was not in any of the 2002 DVD supplements. The two-disc Special Edition DVD of Ryan's Daughter, for example, includes a brand-new (back in 2005) hourlong documentary that has new interviews with cast/crew as well as vintage interviews with David Lean, Robert Mitchum, Robert Bolt (I think), etc. that were filmed for a BBC television special from 1970. And in addition to the new documentary (and trailers, commentary, and theatrical featurette), they also included the BBC television special, "We're the Last of the Traveling Circuses". I wish Disney would do the same with Beauty and the Beast (and when the time comes, Aladdin). I'm not too worried for Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame losing them on Blu-Ray, since Disney didn't bother shooting new interviews for their DVDs (except for the 4-minute "The Making of 'If I Never Knew You'" for Pocahontas).

albert

[KubrickFan]

Anyone else notice that Don Hahn's intro for the 1991 Work in Progress is included on disc TWO according to BBFC? I'm assuming/hoping that means that it is being treated as a feature separate from the 1991 theatrical/2001 IMAX versions.

Could the disc set-up be this?

Disc 1:
-1991 Theatrical
-2001 IMAX
-Special Features

Disc 2:
-1991 WiP
-Special Features

I certainly wouldn't mind that, especially as they wouldn't have to worry about branching problems. Though I'd prefer if the 1991 theatrical and WiP were on the first disc to ensure the colors are the same, with the 2001 IMAX on the second in their own colors.

Could be. Apparently seamless branching is kind of a pain with Blu-ray, so one less version to seamless branch would be less difficult. It'd also mean that there's more room on disc 1 for the movie itself, both versions of it (although that's probably seamlessly branched).

[Escapay]

Dangit, KubrickFan, you quoted me while I was re-editing my post!

I thought they were able to "fix" seamless branching on Blu-Ray, since it was such a pain on DVD? (with a few notable exceptions, like the Alien Quadrilogy and the Blade Runner set)

Either way, it would definitely be easier to seamless branch only twice in the film (the general area of post-"Something There" and pre-"Mob Song") than to do it intermittently to show short pencil animation/storyboards throughout.

albert

[Disneykid]

Luckily, someone's posted all of the demos and alternate tracks from the Music Behind the Magic on YouTube (they're towards the bottom of the page):

http://www.youtube.com/user/MarcoPolo7212#g/u

Oh, wow, Albert...I didn't even realize the intro was lumped together with the disc two compilation. I'm kind of glad they didn't put the theatrical version on the same disc as the WiP since: a) that means the theatrical would be on disc two and be treated like a bonus feature, and b) it'd be sharing disc space with all of the other supplements. The second one's not really an issue when it comes to Blu-ray, but it's still nice to give (a version of) the film some room to breathe, something the WiP doesn't need considering its rough state. On the other hand, like you mentioned, putting the theatrical on a separate disc from the IMAX would would make the original color scheme/pre-tweaked animation more likely. Hmmm....

[jpanimation]

Could the Blu-Ray disc set-up be this?

Disc 1:
-1991 Theatrical & 2001 IMAX via seamless branching (84/90min)
-Cine-Explore (90min, likely for the IMAX version)
-Commentary (90min, if it's ported over)
-Unknown Disc 1 Feature (18min)
-Deleted Scenes: Belle in the Library (9min)

Disc 2:
-1991 WiP (84min)
-Beyond Beauty: The Untold Stories Behind the Making of Beauty and the Beast (51min)
-Broadway Beginnings (12.5min)
-Composing a Classic: A Musical Conversation with Alan Menken, Don Hahn, and Richard Craft (19.5min)
-Various Supplements (75min&Song Demos - I got the runtime by adding up the BBFC classified stuff and the not-yet-classified stuff related to them; it would be 78 if "A Transformation: Glen Keane" were included, and I hope it will be)

I can see this happening. It would really free up room on Disc 1 to ensure the best PQ possible and simplify the seamless branching feature (WiP wouldn't even need it on Disc 2). The only Disc 2 bonus features I can see being in HD are Beyond Beauty, Broadway Beginnings, and Composing a Classic, which is about 83min of HD content, not including the 84min WiP version, which I'm assuming would also be HD (but then again, maybe not). That's also assuming the ported material won't be in HD. Disc 1 will probably have Deleted Scenes: Belle in the Library in HD, in addition to the movie itself, and possibly the mystery 18min of unknown bonus material. If this is true, everything should fit comfortably on the discs, and no sacrifices in quality.

With A Transformation: Glen Keane, there seems to be many features that have yet to be posted. There is a lot of intros to bonus features listed but not the companion features, so maybe A Transformation just hasn't been listed yet (since it doesn't have an into, we wouldn't know). We also don't know what is in the new documentary, maybe it's been shoved in there. It just seems odd that they would leave that off.

As for the 1991 Making-Of, I never bought the Platinum and never saw the new doc, so I didn't know they left out material. As I said, if they throw it in there in standard-def, it would hardly take up any room. Maybe the 18min feature on Disc 1 is the 1991 Making-Of in SUPER-Pal-speedup??? j/k

[rb_canadian181]

It's because of the 4% PAL speedup.

I watched Beauty and the Beast in PAL and I noticed the voices and music were a little bit higher pitch than I was used to. Now i know why!

[Gandalf]

This sounds great, but I'm dissapointed in what could have been. I'm surprised at how short the broadway extra is; there's a lot there that could make for some very, very interesting stuff.

Also, I'm a little surprised to see the "Invention Convention" song didn't make the deleted scenes list this go around. I guess we'll have to wait another 10 years?

And of course I still think some of the broadway songs should be recorded with the film actors and included as extras. I'd love to hear Paige O'Hara and Angela Lansbury singing "Home"...

[Escapay]

This sounds great, but I'm dissapointed in what could have been. I'm surprised at how short the broadway extra is; there's a lot there that could make for some very, very interesting stuff.

I'm a bit disappointed in that as well, but at the same time, I'm glad it's not too long. The Blu-Ray & DVD should focus on the film, not the stage musical. It's good enough to just have a related featurette that functions as something that says "the film inspired the musical, here's a bit about the musical."

However, if Disney were to release a filmed performance of the stage musical (similar to filmed performances of live stage shows for PBS's "Great Performances"), I would certainly love an in-depth documentary about the stage musical included. Or perhaps, when/if the live-action film is made, they could have a "From Screen to Stage to Screen" type of documentary as a supplement. It could look at the process of adapting the animated film to stage musical, a history of the stage musical and notable performers, then a look at adapting the stage musical to a live-action film.

Also, I'm a little surprised to see the "Invention Convention" song didn't make the deleted scenes list this go around.

I'm surprised as well. It wasn't included in that CD set that had a whole bunch of Ashman/Menken demos, so maybe a demo doesn't exist? Perhaps they deleted the song in its planning stages before it could be recorded.

And of course I still think some of the broadway songs should be recorded with the film actors and included as extras. I'd love to hear Paige O'Hara and Angela Lansbury singing "Home"...

So long as it's not integrated into the film like "Human Again" (not a big fan), but as extras, that'd be a great idea. It sure would be miles better than a new music video with whoever's in Disney Channel's latest "Circle of Stars".

albert

[Gandalf]

This sounds great, but I'm dissapointed in what could have been. I'm surprised at how short the broadway extra is; there's a lot there that could make for some very, very interesting stuff.

I'm a bit disappointed in that as well, but at the same time, I'm glad it's not too long. The Blu-Ray & DVD should focus on the film, not the stage musical. It's good enough to just have a related featurette that functions as something that says "the film inspired the musical, here's a bit about the musical."

However, if Disney were to release a filmed performance of the stage musical (similar to filmed performances of live stage shows for PBS's "Great Performances"), I would certainly love an in-depth documentary about the stage musical included. Or perhaps, when/if the live-action film is made, they could have a "From Screen to Stage to Screen" type of documentary as a supplement. It could look at the process of adapting the animated film to stage musical, a history of the stage musical and notable performers, then a look at adapting the stage musical to a live-action film.

True. But I know Disney... It'll never, ever happen. Not that I wouldn't love it to, but I just refuse to get my hopes up that Disney would do something as logical as that.

Also, I'm a little surprised to see the "Invention Convention" song didn't make the deleted scenes list this go around.

I'm surprised as well. It wasn't included in that CD set that had a whole bunch of Ashman/Menken demos, so maybe a demo doesn't exist? Perhaps they deleted the song in its planning stages before it could be recorded.

I don't think it ever did get to demo stage. But they could do a new demo version of it, with just Allen Menken at the piano or something.

And of course I still think some of the broadway songs should be recorded with the film actors and included as extras. I'd love to hear Paige O'Hara and Angela Lansbury singing "Home"...

So long as it's not integrated into the film like "Human Again" (not a big fan), but as extras, that'd be a great idea. It sure would be miles better than a new music video with whoever's in Disney Channel's latest "Circle of Stars".

If you don't like the Special Edition anyway, why would you care if they tampered with it again by integrating "Home" into it? For me, I'd love to see several of the broadway songs integrated, but only as long as the original version is available. For me, "Home" and "If I Can't Love Her" as well as the final duet between Belle and the Beast would be so, so wonderful in the film.

[bruno_wbt]

They shoud include performances of A Change In Me and Home

[Disney's Divinity]

Also, I'm a little surprised to see the "Invention Convention" song didn't make the deleted scenes list this go around.

I'm surprised as well. It wasn't included in that CD set that had a whole bunch of Ashman/Menken demos, so maybe a demo doesn't exist? Perhaps they deleted the song in its planning stages before it could be recorded.

It's probably because I haven't done a lot of investigating into B&tB's production/history, but I'd never even heard of an "Invention Convention" song until right now. I'm guessing that goes along with the earlier ideas for the film where Maurice took up a lot more screentime?

"Belle?"

And of course I still think some of the broadway songs should be recorded with the film actors and included as extras. I'd love to hear Paige O'Hara and Angela Lansbury singing "Home"...

So long as it's not integrated into the film like "Human Again" (not a big fan), but as extras, that'd be a great idea. It sure would be miles better than a new music video with whoever's in Disney Channel's latest "Circle of Stars".

albert

I'd always hoped they would do that with their musicals (I have to admit it's because I love Benson-Carroll so much, but it'd be great to hear some of B&tB's songs with the original voice actors, too). Though B&tB didn't have too many songs in its musical that weren't in the movie.

I haven't really commented much in this thread, but I did like the cover they gave for...I think it was the Blu-Ray release? It was the one where they're in the ballroom and the servants are in the lower right corner with the Enchanted Rose. The cover with Gaston and all those other people on it is really hideous. (We need a *cringe* emoticon)

Anyway, I might pick this up around Christmas, depending on how things go. I'm getting a PS3 this year, so I can finally start buying Blu-Rays! (The only movie I've bought since Blu-Ray came out was TP&TF because I didn't feel like buying movies I couldn't watch or buying ones I'd have to update the format of in 2+ yrs). It's a shame I didn't go ahead and buy the Sleeping Beauty Diamond Edition--that one would be beautiful on Hi-Def. And didn't it have a pretty excellent release?

[Escapay]

So long as it's not integrated into the film like "Human Again" (not a big fan), but as extras, that'd be a great idea. It sure would be miles better than a new music video with whoever's in Disney Channel's latest "Circle of Stars".

If you don't like the Special Edition anyway, why would you care if they tampered with it again by integrating "Home" into it?

Because, like you said, I didn't like the Special Edition anyway. So I would care if they integrated another song into the movie.

As extras, they'd be great and similar to "Proud of Your Boy" or "Never Land" getting a sort of music-video treatment on their DVDs.

Of course, it doesn't really matter if I or anyone else likes/dislikes the idea of adding even more songs to the film. Ultimately, it's up to the filmmakers if they want to put it (and any other changes) in, and if they ever do so, they have that right.

It's probably because I haven't done a lot of investigating into B&tB's production/history, but I'd never even heard of an "Invention Convention" song until right now.

I know, I never heard of it until it was mentioned here that it was mentioned in the commentary. I either always miss it during the commentary or they mention it so briefly that I forget it. Every time I hear the name of the song, I just imagine the lyrics are something like this:

We'll have an Invention Convention
Where our population can roam
In this new location
Our whole aggregation
Will love our Convention home
Invention Convention home



albert