Pete's Dragon - Each Version and Where to Get them

[emotionboy]

Pete's Dragon is one of my favorite Disney Musicals. It was finally released on Blu-ray here in the UK earlier this April, and it's notable that it has a shorter running time of 106 minutes. This 106 minute version it appears was previously released on VHS in the UK, but upon viewing I've discovered a few different transitions, different timings of transitions, and Candle on the Water the song plays over the opening credits.

All in all, this inspired me to try and track down each version of Pete's Dragon and where to get them in the US and UK if possible. I've also highlighted the best quality edition of each version. If I'm missing any or you have feedback, please feel free to share:

Pete's Dragon - Each Version and Where to Get them:

The full aspect ratio is 1.66:1 as seen on Blu-ray and DVD. Movie theaters would have received the 1.66:1 version and then been asked to project it at 1.75:1 (according to Original Press Release that I own)

134 minutes
Los Angeles Premiere (November 3, 1977)
Never before released on Home Media

128 minutes (NTSC) / 124 minutes (PAL)
December 3, 1985 US NTSC VHS
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... eimprovemz
October 28, 1994 Masterpiece Collection US NTSC VHS
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... eimprovemz
Walt Disney Classics UK PAL VHS
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASI ... tedisne-21
January 16, 2001 Gold Collection US NTSC VHS and US Region 1 NTSC DVD
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... eimprovemz
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... eimprovemz
November 12, 2001 Walt Disney Classics UK Region 2 PAL DVD
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASI ... tedisne-21
August 18, 2009 High Flying Edition US Region 1 NTSC DVD
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... eimprovemz
October 5, 2009 High Flying Edition UK Region 2 PAL DVD
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Petes-Dragon-Hi ... tedisne-21
October 16, 2012 35th Anniversary US Region Free Blu-ray
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... eimprovemz

121 minutes
New York Premiere
Never before released on Home Media

106 minutes (Version 1)
1978 European Release
Late 1990 Disney's UK PAL VHS
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw= ... s&_sacat=0 (Look for the VHS cover with 'Disney's' above the title, not 'Walt Disney Classics')

106 minutes (Version 2)
April 15, 2013 UK Region Free Blu-ray
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASI ... tedisne-21

104 minutes
October 21, 1980 US NTSC VHS

101 minutes
March 9, 1984 Re-release
* 101 minutes converted from NTSC to PAL and rounded up would equal 106 minutes. However, I am unable to confirm if this is the 106 minute version 1, 106 minute version 2, or neither, so I've listed it separately.

92 minutes
TV Version
Never before released on Home Media

[Lnds500]

I highly doubt the UK BD is edited differently than the US version.

[Scamander]

Oh, it is. It's the same version Disney released in other European Countries (France, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal).

[emotionboy]

Hi guys,

Yes the New UK Blu-ray is 106 minutes and is what I call 106 minutes Version 2 as unlike the previous 106 minute version on VHS, the transitions between sequences are straight cuts rather than cross-fades, and the song Candle on the Water is sung over the opening credits which I haven't seen anywhere else before.

P.S.

I highly doubt the UK BD is edited differently than the US version.

I know this because I own it.

[SWillie!]

Goodness emotionboy, you are full of some interesting information! Haha.. I don't know what I'd ever use it all for, but it's certainly nice to know its here, so thanks!

[Lnds500]

Hi guys,

Yes the New UK Blu-ray is 106 minutes and is what I call 106 minutes Version 2 as unlike the previous 106 minute version on VHS, the transitions between sequences are straight cuts rather than cross-fades, and the song Candle on the Water is sung over the opening credits which I haven't seen anywhere else before.

P.S.

I highly doubt the UK BD is edited differently than the US version.

I know this because I own it.

Wow.. thanks, I'll keep that in mind.

[SwordInTheStone777]

What's missing on the current 129 min releases from the original 134 min. November 1977 premiere?

[Scamander]

@SwordInTheStone777:

The film included roadshow elements when it was first shown in the cinema. Those were cut out after its initial run and are still missing.

Hi guys,

Yes the New UK Blu-ray is 106 minutes and is what I call 106 minutes Version 2 as unlike the previous 106 minute version on VHS, the transitions between sequences are straight cuts rather than cross-fades, and the song Candle on the Water is sung over the opening credits which I haven't seen anywhere else before.

This is funny, because the German VHS included (the German version of) Candle on the Water over the Opening Credits as well, but on our DVD and Blu-ray versions, it is missing!

VHS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDYEmgM4i0Y
DVD/ Blu-ray: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okQR7WRYeiU

[Elladorine]

and the song Candle on the Water is sung over the opening credits which I haven't seen anywhere else before..

This probably isn't relevant but may perhaps be an interesting tidbit anyway: I recall Candle on the Water being sung over the opening credits of a televised version, airing around 1987. I'd recorded it on a VHS and watched it many times as a kid; the rest of the film itself was heavily edited (I'm assuming for time), omitting much of the Paul subplot. I no longer have it and have been planning on picking up the Blu-ray one of these days. I'm wondering how much of it will come back to me and how much of it will be entirely new. It's been years, but I did see a more completed version since discarding the broadcast VHS and there were a lot of "new" scenes within it.

[Sotiris]

Thanks for the helpful list, emotionboy. Can you do one for Bedknobs & Broomsticks?

[SwordInTheStone777]

Thanks for the helpful list, emotionboy. Can you do one for Bedknobs & Broomsticks?

I'd love to know as well as the Golden Collection/30th Anniversary Edition has a running time of 139 mins. and the Enchanted Musical Edition has a running time of 140 mins. I'd like to know why the Enchanted is one minute longer than the 30th Anniversary?

[emotionboy]

Thanks for the helpful list, emotionboy. Can you do one for Bedknobs & Broomsticks?

I'd love to know as well as the Golden Collection/30th Anniversary Edition has a running time of 139 mins. and the Enchanted Musical Edition has a running time of 140 mins. I'd like to know why the Enchanted is one minute longer than the 30th Anniversary?

Hi SwordInTheStone777,

I myself own the 1997 25th Anniversary UK PAL VHS, the 2001 30th Anniversary Edition US Region 1 NTSC DVD and the 2009 Special Edition UK Region 2 PAL DVD of Bedknobs and Broomsticks.

As to the running times you've mentioned, my research states 139 minutes for both 30th Anniversary Edition and Musical Masterpiece Edition- is the 140 minute running time you stated the actual running time on the disc?- perhaps times have been rounded down on packaging.

Anyway Sotiris and The SwordInTheStone777, I've created a new Bedknobs and Broomsticks list. You can check it out and comment at http://www.dvdizzy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=30822

[Neal]

Great idea for a thread, I love these types of meticulous data collections for Disney media. Thanks for the info! ... if you ever want to double-check all versions released of a particular Disney film/show check with the member reyquila --- he has multiple releases of everything Disney you could imagine!!

[carlossilva]

There is also a UK 2001 DVD with the 124-minute version:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASI ... tedisne-21

( I know because at the time I bought this DVD in order to avoid the local portuguese edition that had the 106-minute version ).

Carlos

[emotionboy]

There is also a UK 2001 DVD with the 124-minute version:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASI ... tedisne-21

( I know because at the time I bought this DVD in order to avoid the local portuguese edition that had the 106-minute version ).

Carlos

Thanks Carlos. I knew about this one but forgot to include it. It's now added to the main article at the top. Thanks again.

[classycontralto]

Hi everyone!

I know this comment is coming YEARS after this thread was created but I’m hoping someone is still monitoring it and they can help me…

I’m from the U.K. and grew up loving “Pete’s Dragon” but was very disappointed that the version released over here was heavily edited. I’m trying to find a complete version, containing the superb barrel dancing section in “I Saw A Dragon”, the full song versions of “Brazzle Dazzle Day” and “There’s Room For Everyone”, the actual performance of “Candle On The Water” (that Helen Reddy actually visually performs in the lighthouse instead of it being over the credits) and the extra elements of Paul’s story.

Does such a version exist and does anyone know where I can get it?
Thanks!!!

[twihard]

Hi everyone!

I know this comment is coming YEARS after this thread was created but I’m hoping someone is still monitoring it and they can help me…

I’m from the U.K. and grew up loving “Pete’s Dragon” but was very disappointed that the version released over here was heavily edited. I’m trying to find a complete version, containing the superb barrel dancing section in “I Saw A Dragon”, the full song versions of “Brazzle Dazzle Day” and “There’s Room For Everyone”, the actual performance of “Candle On The Water” (that Helen Reddy actually visually performs in the lighthouse instead of it being over the credits) and the extra elements of Paul’s story.

Does such a version exist and does anyone know where I can get it?
Thanks!!!

Hello. I am also from the UK and the version you're talking about was the edited version of Pete's Dragon. I think all of EU got this edited version cuz my German friend says the Pete's Dragon he grew up with was also edited so that the songs were mostly missing and Candle on the water is only an end credits song.

What you need is the US DVD. That is the full uncensored version with no missing scenes /songs.