Beauty and the Beast: Diamond Edition (October 5th!)

[Escapay]

Thanks to DisneyChris's post, here's a complete breakdown of the Blu-Ray set, again noting on what supplemental material is ported over from the Platinum Edition DVD as well as what is Blu-Ray Exclusive. There will also be a list at the end featuring material not on the new Blu-Ray or DVD.

Beauty and the Beast (1991, 2002):
Diamond Edition Blu-Ray & DVD - October 5, 2010 (Two-Disc Blu-Ray & DVD)
Two-Disc DVD - November 23, 2010, $29.99 (Two-Disc DVD)

Technical Specifications: Blu-Ray
1.78:1 Widescreen - Enhanced for 16:9 TVs
7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio: English
5.1 Disney Enhanced Home Theatre Mix: French, Spanish
Subtitles: English, Spanish
22 Chapters

Technical Specifications: DVD
1.78:1 Widescreen - Enhanced for 16:9 TVs
5.1 Disney Enhanced Home Theatre Mix: English, Spanish
Subtitles: English, Spanish
22 Chapters

Disc One: Beauty and the Beast - Feature Film & Special Features

Feature Film:
-Beauty and the Beast (Blu-Ray configuration) - 1991 film, directed by Kirk Wise & Gary Trousdale. Presented in two versions via seamless branching:
--1991 Original Theatrical Release (1:24:17)
--2002 IMAX Special Edition (1:31:06 - branches after "Something There", resumes after "Belle Leaves")

-Beauty and the Beast (DVD configuration) - 1991 film, directed by Kirk Wise & Gary Trousdale. Presented in three versions via seamless branching, with an introduction by producer Don Hahn for the Work In Progress Version:
--1991 Original Theatrical Release (1:24:17)
--2002 IMAX Special Edition (1:31:06 - branches after "Something There", resumes after "Belle Leaves")
--WiP Introduction (0:28 )
--1991 NY Film Festival Work In Progress (1:24:17)

Backstage Disney:
-Beauty and the Beast: Storyboard Version - the theatrical version of the film with PIP option of the original storyboards a.k.a. the Work in Progress Version. With an introduction by producer Don Hahn. (1:24:45) - PiP is Blu-Ray Exclusive
--Introduction (0:28 )
--1991 NY Film Festival Work In Progress (1:24:17)

-Feature Commentary: IMAX Special Edition - watch the film with a running commentary featuring producer Don Hahn and directors Kirk Wise & Gary Trousdale, as they discuss the making of the film, and introduce comments by composer Alan Menken. (1:31:06) - ported over from Platinum Edition

Disney FamilyPlay: (13:07)
-Broadway Beginnings - Up close and personal celebrity interviews with Nick Jonas, Donny Osmond, Toni Braxton, and others who have starred in the Broadway production. (13:07) - will be on Disc 2 of the 11/23 DVD Release

Music & More: (20:18 + Sing-Alongs)
-Composing a Classic: A Musical Conversation with Alan Menken, Don Hahn, and Richard Craft - new documentary. (20:18 ) - will be on Disc 2 of the 11/23 DVD Release

-Disney Sing-Along Mode - have the option of playing the film with a sing-along subtitle track, select the songs from a special chapter index, or simply play all the songs together. (28:08 or 23:14) - ported over from Platinum Edition
--"Belle" (5:07)
--"Belle (Reprise)" (1:05)
--"Gaston" (2:40)
--"Gaston (Reprise)" (2:04)
--"Be Our Guest" (3:44)
--"Something There" (2:19)
--"Human Again" (4:54, only in IMAX Special Edition)
--"Beauty and the Beast" (2:45)
--"The Mob Song" (3:30)

-Music Video: "Beauty and the Beast" - Jordin Sparks (3:26)

Deleted Scenes: (27:34)
-Alternate Opening: The Purdum Reel - an entirely new opening of the film and a different cast of characters. With an optional introduction by Pete Schneider. (19:10)
--Introduction (0:46)
--The Purdum Reel (18:24)

-Deleted Scene: "Belle in the Library" - a never-before-seen moment where Belle meets three new characters in the library. With an optional introduction by Roger Allers. (8:48 )
--Introduction (0:21)
--Belle in the Library (8:27)


Disc Two: Beauty and the Beast - Special Features

Beyond Beauty Experience: (3:41:59 - main 53:15, supplements 2:48:44)
-Beyond Beauty: The Untold Stories Behind the Making of Beauty and the Beast - a new documentary that looks back at the making of the film. (53:15)
--Act I: Beyond Beauty (7:05)
--Act II: Struggling with the Beast (9:22)
--Act III: Something There (15:00)
--Act IV: Casting a Spell (5:49)
--Act V: A Fairy-Tale Ending (12:25)
--Act VI: Classic Beauty (3:34)

*Act I Supplements* (41:08 )
-Disney: A Fairy Tale - new featurette. (8:04) - Blu-Ray Exclusive

-Laugh-O-Grams - the four existing Laugh-O-Grams by Walt, originally made in 1922. (33:04) - Blu-Ray Exclusive
--"Puss In Boots" (10:56)
--"Little Red Riding Hood" (6:18 )
--"Cinderella" (7:23)
--"The Four Musicians of Bremen" (8:27)

*Act II Supplements* (28:50)
-Full Circle to Broadway - new featurette. (9:56) - Blu-Ray Exclusive

-Alternate Opening: The Purdum Reel - an entirely new opening of the film and a different cast of characters. With an optional introduction by Pete Schneider. (19:10) - also on Disc 1 of Blu-Ray
--Introduction (0:46)
--The Purdum Reel (18:24)

*Act III Supplements* (34:17)
-Ever A Surprise: A Portrait of Howard Ashman - new documentary about Howard Ashman. (13:25) - Blu-Ray Exclusive

-Deleted Scene: "Be Our Guest" - in an early version of the film, when Maurice finds the castle, the enchanted objects are delighted to have someone from the outside finally discover them that they serenade him over dinner. Fortunately somebody realized it was better to save this treatment for Belle, and this entire sequence was redone with the objects serenading her. With an optional introduction by (TBA). (4:14) - ported over from Platinum Edition, also in Classic DVD Features
--Introduction (0:32) - different from introduction in Classic DVD Features
--Alternate Version: "Be Our Guest" (3:42)

-Deleted Scene: "Belle in the Library" - a never-before-seen moment where Belle meets three new characters in the library. With an optional introduction by Roger Allers. (8:48 ) - also on Disc 1 of Blu-Ray
--Introduction (0:21)
--Belle in the Library (8:27)

-"Human Again" Reel - as Belle and the Beast grow closer, the enchanted objects grow excited hoping for the curse to be broken. They clean up the castle and sing of their joy for the chance to be human again. Eventually it was considered to be taking away the focus from Belle and the Beast, as well as being too long. With an optional introduction by composer Alan Menken. (7:37) - ported over from Platinum Edition, also in Classic DVD Features
--Introduction (0:42)
--Deleted Song: "Human Again" (6:57)

*Act IV Supplements* (47:36, 162 stills)
-Animation & Production Galleries - five galleries. (162 stills) - Blu-Ray Exclusive & partially ported over from Platinum Edition
--Storyboard Art (73)
--Character Design: Beast (30) - Platinum had 43
--Character Design: Belle (32) - Platinum had 30
--Character Design: Gaston (9) - Platinum had 48 (shared with Lefou)
--Character Design: Objects (18 ) - Platinum had 41

-Character Development - new mini-featurettes. (26:07) - Blu-Ray Exclusive
--Beast (3:48 )
--Cogsworth (2:51)
--Lumiere (2:48 )
--Gaston (3:11)
--Mrs. Potts (2:13)
--New Digital Horizons (4:20)
--Will vs. Nik (3:13)
--Acting as a Team: Bringing Belle and the Beast to Life (3:43)

-Silly Symphonies - two "Silly Symphonies" originally made in 1934 & 1935. (19:17) - Blu-Ray Exclusive
--"China Shop" (8:54)
--"Music Land" (10:23)

-Doorknob Clip from Alice in Wonderland - excerpt from 1951's Alice in Wonderland. (2:12) - Blu-Ray Exclusive

*Act V Supplements* (13:56, 88 stills)
-Frame by Frame: A Thumbnail Sketch of the History of Animation - new featurette. (13:56) - Blu-Ray Exclusive

-Backgrounds & Concepts - two galleries. (88 stills) - Blu-Ray Exclusive & partially ported over from Platinum Edition
--Visual Development (58 ) - Platinum had 72
--Backgrounds (30) - Platinum had 67

Games & Activities:
-Enchanted Musical Challenge: A Disney Quest Game - help Belle and the Beast fall in love in order to break the spell before the last petal falls. - Blu-Ray Exclusive

-Bon Jour, Who Is This? A Disney TelePlay Game - Powered by BD-Live. Using your cell phone, guess the identity of the other players before they guess yours. - Blu-Ray Exclusive

Classic DVD Features: (1:11:17) - As the section of the disc suggest, these are all ported over from Platinum Edition
-The Story Behind The Story - a look at the original tales for seven Disney Animated Classics. Hosted by Celine Dion and featuring Paige O'Hara, James Earl Jones, David Ogden Stiers, Robby Benson, Jodi Benson, Ming-Na, and Angela Lansbury. (25:36, 9 Chapters)
--Introduction: Celine Dion (1:49)
--Cinderella: Paige O'Hara (2:49)
--The Lion King: James Earl Jones (3:36)
--Pocahontas: David Ogden Stiers (3:13)
--The Jungle Book: Robby Benson (3:14)
--Sleeping Beauty: Jodi Benson (2:54)
--Mulan: Ming-Na (2:48 )
--The Hunchback of Notre Dame: Angela Lansbury (2:55)
--End Credits: Celine Dion (2:18 )

-Music Video: "Beauty and the Beast" - the original music video featuring Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson. With an optional introduction by singer Celine Dion. (4:28 )
--Introduction (0:25)
--Music Video (4:03)

-Early Presentation Reel - a collection of artwork and story sketches that were compiled together to help a viewer understand the mood and atmosphere of the picture, set to music specially composed for the reel. With an optional introduction by producer Don Hahn. (2:52)
--Introduction (0:38 )
--Early Presentation Reel (2:14)

-Alternate Version: "Be Our Guest" - in an early version of the film, when Maurice finds the castle, the enchanted objects are delighted to have someone from the outside finally discover them that they serenade him over dinner. Fortunately somebody realized it was better to save this treatment for Belle, and this entire sequence was redone with the objects serenading her. With an optional introduction by producer Don Hahn. (4:55) - also in Act III Supplements
--Introduction (1:13) - different from introduction in Act III Supplements
--Alternate Version: "Be Our Guest" (3:42)

-Alternate Score: "Death of the Beast" - the original score for the death scene was very sombre and final, and composer Alan Menken was then asked to write new music that was not as emotional. Viewers can view the scene in pencil animation with the original score. With an optional introduction by composer Alan Menken. (2:03)
--Introduction (0:24)
--Alternate Score: "Death of the Beast"(1:39)
(ETA: It's called "Transformation" on the disc, but in actuality, the scene is the death of the Beast. I call it "Death of the Beast" in my own personal notes - such as this - but on the DVD, it's still mistakenly called "Transformation")

-Deleted Song: "Human Again" - as Belle and the Beast grow closer, the enchanted objects grow excited hoping for the curse to be broken. They clean up the castle and sing of their joy for the chance to be human again. Eventually it was considered to be taking away the focus from Belle and the Beast, as well as being too long. Viewers can view the deleted song with the original storyboards set to Howard Ashman's demo, or the final animated version with the cast and chorus, which was created and used for the 2001 Special IMAX Edition. With an optional introduction by producer Don Hahn or composer Alan Menken. (8:26) - also in Act II Supplements
--Introduction by Don Hahn (0:47) - not included in Act III Supplements
--Introduction by Alan Menken (0:42)
--Deleted Song: "Human Again" (6:57)

-Animation Tests, Roughs, & Clean Ups - a reel of footage that shows various examples of the pencil animation done. With an introduction and narration/commentary by producer Don Hahn. (4:55)
--Introduction (0:34)
--Animation Tests, Roughs, & Clean Ups (4:21)

-The Transformation: Pencil Version - this pivotal scene is presented in its original rough pencil animation by Glen Keane. With an optional introduction by producer Don Hahn. (5:25)
--Introduction (1:05)
--The Transformation: Pencil Version (4:20)

-A Transformation: Glen Keane - Glen Keane discusses how he approached the "Transformation" scene and the inspirations and methods he used in animating it. (3:14)

-Camera Move Test: The Ballroom - the ballroom dance features a hybrid of hand-drawn animation and CGI, which necessitated early camera tests to track how the shot would be created on the computer. This early camera move test shows how the animators plotted the entire sequence in its earliest form. With an optional introduction by producer Don Hahn. (2:07)
--Introduction (0:40)
--Camera Move Test (1:27)

-Trailers & TV Spots - a collection of trailers and tv spots for the film. With an optional introduction by producer Don Hahn. (7:16)
--Introduction (0:36)
--Original Theatrical Trailer - 1991 (1:58 )
--Large Format Trailer - 2002 (2:34)
--TV Spot #1 (0:32)
--TV Spot #2 (0:32)
--TV Spot #3 (0:32)
--TV Spot #4 (0:32)


Beauty and the Beast Material Not Ported Over:
-The Making of Beauty And The Beast - a television special hosted by David Ogden Stiers that looks at the making of the film. Featuring interviews with directors Kirk Wise and Gary Trousdale, producer Don Hahn, composer Alan Menken, screenwriter Linda Woolverton, story supervisor Roger Allers, art director Brian McEntee, supervising animators James Baxter (Belle), Glen Keane (Beast), Andreas Deja (Gaston), Nik Ranieri (Lumiere), Will Finn (Cogsworth), and David Pruiksma (Mrs. Potts & Chip), and voice actors Paige O'Hara (Belle), Robby Benson (Beast), Angela Lansbury (Mrs. Potts), Jerry Orbach (Lumiere), and Bradley Pierce (Chip). (25:45) - CAV Laserdisc

-"The Four Stages of Animation" - a narrated feature in which a scene (Beast Asks Belle to Dinner) is broken down into its four stages: storyboard, rough animation, clean-up animation, and final color animation. (3:13) - Work in Progress CAV Laserdisc

-Theatrical Reviews Trailer (1:55) - Work in Progress CAV Laserdisc

-Maurice's Invention Workshop Game & Break the Spell Game - interactive set-top game that was played on Disc 1 & Disc 2. - Platinum Edition DVD

-Chip's Musical Challenge - interactive set-top game from Disc 2. - Platinum Edition DVD

-Tale as Old as Time: The Making of Beauty and the Beast - a documentary that looks at the making of the film. Featuring interviews with Don Hahn, Paula Sigman, John Canemaker, Michael Eisner, Roy E. Disney, Robert Osborne, Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise, Linda Woolverton, Brenda Chapman, Roger Allers, Chris Sanders, Pete Schneider, Alan Menken, Celine Dion, Paige O'Hara, Robby Benson, Angela Lansbury (1991), David Ogden Stiers, Jerry Orbach, Ed Ghertner, Lisa Keene, Vera Lanpher, Glen Keane, Nik Ranieri, Andreas Deja, Will Finn, Dick Cook, and Thomas Schumacher. (51:01 L&C version, 29:35 Mrs. Potts Version) - Platinum Edition DVD
--Introduction (1:03) - only available in L&C Play-All
--Introduction by Celine Dion(1:24) - only available in Mrs. Potts Play-All
--Origins of Beauty and the Beast (1:29) - L&C, Mrs. Potts
--Bringing the Story to the Screen (2:14) - L&C, Mrs. Potts
--Finding the Story (2:42) - L&C, Mrs. Potts
--Musical Magic (2:41) - L&C, Mrs. Potts
--Strength of Character (3:57) - L&C, Mrs. Potts
--Vocal Heroes (5:01) - L&C Only
--The Stage is Set (3:11) - L&C Only
--Animation (6:48 ) - L&C, Mrs. Potts
--Animating With Computers (2:38 ) - L&C Only
--A High Profile Preview (1:45) - L&C Only
--Release & Reaction (1:45) - L&C, Mrs. Potts
--Awards (1:11) - L&C Only
--Howard Ashman In Memoriam (3:30) - L&C Only
--Broadway Bound (3:28 ) - L&C Only
--The Special Edition (3:07) - L&C Only
--Happily Ever After (2:33) - only available in L&C and Mrs. Potts Play-All
--Closing Remarks by Celine Dion (0:34) - only available in Mrs. Potts
--End Credits (1:58 ) - only available in L&C and Mrs. Potts Play-All

-Character Design Gallery - nine galleries devoted to the characters of the film, with optional audio commentary on select stills. (275 Stills - 35 with commentary - 8:45 total runtime) - Platinum Edition DVD, Diamond Edition Blu-Ray has different configuration, less stills, and no docent audio.
--Belle (30 Stills - 4 with commentary - 1:20 total runtime)
--Beast (43 Stills - 5 with commentary - 1:16 total runtime)
--Lumiere (17 Stills - 2 with commentary - 0:24 total runtime)
--Mrs. Potts & Chip (20 Stills - 4 with commentary - 0:55 total runtime)
--Cogsworth (17 Stills - 2 with commentary - 0:27 total runtime)
--Gaston & LeFou (48 Stills - 7 with commentary - 1:29 total runtime)
--Maurice & Philippe (36 Stills - 3 with commentary - 0:48 total runtime)
--Townspeople (22 Stills - 3 with commentary - 0:43 total runtime)
--Other Enchanted Objects (41 Stills - 5 with commentary - 1:23 total runtime)

-Concept Art & Design Gallery - a gallery devoted to the concept art and design, with optional audio commentary on select stills. (72 Stills - 8 with commentary - 2:58 total runtime) - Platinum Edition DVD, Diamond Edition Blu-Ray has different configuration, less stills, and no docent audio.

-Layouts & Backgrounds Gallery - a gallery devoted to the layouts and backgrounds, with optional audio commentary on select stills. (67 Stills - 8 with commentary - 2:43 total runtime) - Platinum Edition DVD, Diamond Edition Blu-Ray has different configuration, less stills, and no docent audio.

-Original Release Publicity Gallery - a gallery featuring theatrical posters and other publicity for the 1991 release, with optional audio commentary on select stills. (14 Stills - 3 with commentary - 0:47 total runtime) - Platinum Edition DVD, no Publicity Gallery is on the Blu-ray

-Large Format Publicity Gallery - a gallery featuring theatrical posters and other publicity for the IMAX release, with optional audio commentary on select stills. (12 Stills - 2 with commentary - 0:37 total runtime) - Platinum Edition DVD, no Publicity Gallery is on the Blu-ray

-Broadway Musical Publicity Gallery - a gallery featuring publicity for the Broadway musical. (34 Stills) - Platinum Edition DVD, no Broadway Gallery is on the Blu-ray

-Broadway Costume Design Gallery - a gallery with costume design sketches for the musical. (9 Stills) - Platinum Edition DVD, no Broadway Gallery is on the Blu-ray

-Disney’s Animation Magic - Christy Carlson Romano and Shia LeBeauf host an inside look at the making of an animated movie. (14:24) - Platinum Edition DVD

-Music Video: "Beauty and the Beast" - Jump 5 (4:03) - Platinum Edition DVD

albert

[filmmusic]

Thank you very much DisneyChris for the screencaps!

Too frustrated again about the colors!
What moron would spoil this masterpiece? and why they changed the colors only in this film and not other films (e.g. Aladdin, lion king etc.)? (not that I would like them to change anything)

well the thing we could do, is to put the video from the laserdisc along with the audio from the bluray, and make our own version!

[Wonderlicious]

Guys, the video you posted is by none other than UD's own musicradio77. I believe he has high-functioning autism, explaining why his speech is quite...rambling. It's common in his UD posts as well.

Ah, okay. Sorry if I seemed a bit ignorant.

Anyway, welcome back DisneyChris! I too remember you from general forum posts circa 2004/5 (as well as from your avatar!). Try to stick around, even if just for the odd post once here and there. Thanks very much for posting all this stuff on the Beauty and the Beast Diamond Edition. It really wets my appetite, and makes me want to just get a darned Blu-Ray player (in the next instalment of the slightly madcap "Joseph's Adventures in Wondyland", I've ended up having another spell living in France, meaning the Blu-Ray player purchase is pushed back to sometime next year at the earliest). Any which way, I'll pick it up before it goes back in the vault, just as I've done with Sleeping Beauty and Pinocchio (yep, I have the Blu-Rays hidden in a draw waiting for the big day ).

[DisneyChris]

You guys are very welcome! It's a pleasure to share this stuff with you all. And thanks for compiling the breakdown, Escapay!

On a side note, DisneyChris: have you watched the theatrical version to make sure that the colors are identical to those of the extended edition?

I could not discern any differences between the colors in the Special and Theatrical versions. It's just seamless branching.

And I've got something more to add... I used VLC Player on Mac OS X to take those screencaps. But when I viewed the disc again on the system's built-in DVD Player, the colors were less red. The program doesn't allow screencaps, so I tried using a shareware called DVD Snap 2, but colors on the captured image were different again, this time lighter. All the video settings in each program were set to default. Here's a look at the three different screencaps, a direct photograph of the computer monitor (you can see the difference in tones, but the photo *still* doesn't accurately represent what I see on the monitor):


(Left to right: DVD Player screencap using DVD Snap 2; Mac OS X DVD Player; VLC Player)

So now I'm kinda confused what are the "real" colors of this new transfer... Or maybe it doesn't really matter, cos it looks great anyway... If anyone finds the image too red, try calibrating the video settings (e.g. contrast, saturation) of your TV/DVD player/software. The Blu-ray looks much less red than the VLC screencaps on my TV, under my custom video settings.

Alright, enough about the colors, there's a little good news for purists. Some have complained that the Platinum Edition altered the shot in which Cogsworth says "But why?" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZzxxBZUD-o/) Now in the Diamond Edition, the altered animation still appears in the Special Edition, but the original animation has been restored for the Original Theatrical version, as seen below.



One more tidbit... in the "Beyond Beauty" documentary, Roger Allers mentions "The Bear and the Bow" instead of "Brave"...

[estefan]

P.S.: The film now opens with the new Walt Disney Pictures logo and Walt Disney Animation Studios logo; the old blue castle logo is gone.

I guess they must have used the 3-D restoration they did for that re-release, much like they did with the Toy Story Blu-Rays.

A little annoyed, but not too much, even if I will always connect that blue castle logo with the opening to Beauty and the Beast. It's still majorly distracting on the Toy Story Blu-Ray, considering the transition it used to make from castle to opening shot.

[yukitora]

If they used the 3D restoration, then everyone will be pleased with the colors.

[filmmusic]

Bring Back the original colors Disney!!!!!
It's like afternoon in the """"restored""" version!!

[funloops]

Thanks for the new screenshots. I compared the first 5 with the original release and you can see a pretty big difference.
http://comparescreenshots.slicx.com/comparison/80912

[DisneyJedi]

(Left to right: DVD Player screencap using DVD Snap 2; Mac OS X DVD Player; VLC Player)

So now I'm kinda confused what are the "real" colors of this new transfer... Or maybe it doesn't really matter, cos it looks great anyway... If anyone finds the image too red, try calibrating the video settings (e.g. contrast, saturation) of your TV/DVD player/software. The Blu-ray looks much less red than the VLC screencaps on my TV, under my custom video settings.

I like it. The colors look very natural, unlike the Platinum Edition.

[Dragonlion]

Thanks for the new screenshots. I compared the first 5 with the original release and you can see a pretty big difference.
http://comparescreenshots.slicx.com/comparison/80912

Interesting. although the colors are essentially the same, The Diamond colors seem to much better. The reds are deeper, the blues are bluer, and the hues brighter and less faded-looking. But they still don't seem like the "original" colors.

[funloops]

Interesting. although the colors are essentially the same, The Diamond colors seem to much better. The reds are deeper, the blues are bluer, and the hues brighter and less faded-looking. But they still don't seem like the "original" colors.

The previous DVD sported a pretty bad encode job. Video artifacts all over the place, black borders, and I'm pretty sure color reproduction wasn't all that hot. The colors in the new screenshots look much more balanced.

Also keep in mind that these are still from a mpeg2 source, and will suffer from the standard chroma issues (reds in particular won't be faithfully reproduced). The Blu-ray should really shine since this movie has a wine tint to it. (kind of like the Godfather films)

Edit: I don't understand why everyone here wants it to look like a washed out VHS.

[jpanimation]

If they used the 3D restoration, then everyone will be pleased with the colors.

What a shame. It's annoying that Disney has an HD master ready to go with the original colors, that they use every now and then in promotions, but they avoid it like the plague when it comes to releasing this movie.

My expectations were rock bottom for this releases after the Fantasia fiasco and yet I'm still disappointed. There is barely any noticeable difference from the Platinum colors, with Belle's hair and those chairs as red as ever. I really regret selling my VHS, but when they advertised the Diamond Collection, they made it sound like they were going to make all these releases as close the original theatrical presentations as possible (altering Beauty and the Beast's colors, taking out the orignal blue castle logo, and dubbing over Deems Tayor's surviving tracks doesn't sound like they tried very hard).

This is a shame, as the re-release of their classics was all I had to look forward to from this company, since I quite really caring about their new theatrical productions (considering the vast majority made this decade have been major disappointments). Now they disappoint with the re-releases of their classics too. They're making it hard for me to get excited about anything this company does.

Also, I know I'm probably the only person but I'm really disappointed that there is no publicity galleries.

Anyways, thanks for everything DisneyChris.

[DisneyJedi]

Honestly, I have no idea why everyone's complaining with how the new restoration looks. Yeah, it's not the "original intended" colors, but at least they look- in a way- better than the look of the PE. We should all be happy it's that way.

[geniuswalt]

I think a lot of the Pixar stuff was region-free (and pretty sure that "Princess and the Frog" was too). The DVDBeaver website is a great reference to check, because they always note whether or not a BD is region-locked or region free.

No, the US bluray release of Princess and the frog is region A locked.

[Kyle]

Just saw some more comparison shots, I think they overdid it with some of the adjustments. yes, the colors are more rich, less faded looking. but when we're talking about outdoor backgrounds, scenery far off in the distance is supposed to look a bit washed out, it helps add depth, a sense that your further away. And outside light bounces a lot more, so there should be less contrast. generally I love contrast, and for the indoor darker stuff I'm fine with it.


To add on to what I already said on the last page, I'll just say that while no, these aren't the original colors, at least it looks good. I couldn't say that about the platinum edition. if I were treating this as a new movie, judging the color pallet as is, what looks best in my eyes, I still say the diamond edition looks great, outside shots aside. I actually don't even mind much that they made that one shot look like noon.

Also, DisneyChris, I believe what might be throwing you of is if you have VLC doing a hardware color overlay. Ive had similar issues with my screencaps giving me inaccurate colors. I now have that feature tuned off. Make sure that any color adjustments you do are from your display only. When you get multiple color adjustments and overlays its bound to be a little off.

[funloops]

Thanks for the new screenshots. I compared the first 5 with the original release and you can see a pretty big difference.
http://comparescreenshots.slicx.com/comparison/80912

Here's a few more... it's difficult to find the exact frame.
http://comparescreenshots.slicx.com/comparison/80973

[zackisthewalrus]

Disc 1
- Sneak Peeks: Tangled, Bambi: Diamond Edition, Toy Story 3, The Lion King: Diamond Edition, Alice in Wonderland: Special 60th Anniversary Edition, Dumbo: 70th Anniversary Edition, A Christmas Carol

P.S.: The film now opens with the new Walt Disney Pictures logo and Walt Disney Animation Studios logo; the old blue castle logo is gone.

Looks like it's confirmed that Dumbo is still somewhere on the schedule. Does it say a specific month on the preview, DisneyChris?

Oh, and I totally predicted that they would replace the opening logo. Haha.

[rodis]

Those screencaps are pretty. But still not the theatrical release. *sigh*

Anyway, why are they using the new logo??? Is it another way to appeal to younger viewers? To show them the 3-d logo they're used to?? Ugh!!!

[toonaspie]

I really hope that the new documentary in the Diamond Edition is good. The PE one was not bad. I've never seen the LaserDisc documentary. I was rather dissappointed with the behind the scenes material in the Snow White DE.

[Kyle]

Those screencaps are pretty. But still not the theatrical release. *sigh*

Anyway, why are they using the new logo??? Is it another way to appeal to younger viewers? To show them the 3-d logo they're used to?? Ugh!!!

I assume its because, one, they spent a ton of money on that 3d intro, it took years to make. their going to stick it everywhere they can after all that work went into it. two, their trying to keep a certain consistency with the Disney brand. I love the 3d intro, but I do wish they would only use it in live action releases, or at least stay away from older releases. Especially when the logo was integrated into the movie itself, as it was in Toy Story.