DVDizzy Forum

Looking at it now, the 60AE of Dumbo isn't all that much, but when you think back to its first release (Fall 2001), it was pretty impressive:

1. It was released to "support" Snow White, which was the very first Platinum.

2. It received far better treatment than the Animated Classics on DVD before it (Gold Collection, anyone?)

3. Its menus were designed when transitions were cool, so people got a kick out of watching them over...and over...and over again.

4. Sure, the bonus features are somewhat lacking now, but again, in Fall 2001 Disney was still trying to figure out how to do a solid one-disc release, and Dumbo was one of their best experiments in it.

5. The transfer's not great, but it's not bad either. At least it wasn't in as bad a shape as Pinocchio's LI and GC edition.

6. It had trailers! Woohoo!

Escapay

I have the 60th Anniversary DVD of Dumbo and I must admit that I thought that it was actually a solid 1 disc DVD, even if the picture quality wasn't in the same leagues as the Bambi or Alice in Wonderland transfers (which I saw around the same time; this was in March/April 2005). I really liked the audio commentary, and as Escapay said, there were trailers. And a decent gallery, as well. If it's essentially a re-print or close to that, then I won't buy again. And after the whole Tarzan and Emperor's New Groove fiasco of last October, I have a cynical feeling that a reprint is what is in store from Disney...

I actually liked the 60th anniversary Dumbo release and would have a hard time paying $15 - $20 for a double dip. Why:

1) It has solid extras with little wasted extra nonsense. The Clean Non-Threatening Teen Video is nowhere to be found. Although I don't like the menus, I thought the extras gives you the basics (trailers, shorts, commentary) and little of dross.

2) The picture quality was good. I don't see how a 5% improvement of picture is going to greatly enhance my viewing pleasure.

3) Right now, if I spend $15 - $20 on double dip, that means it will take a month longer to save my DVD budget for the Art Of Buster Keaton set.

4) Finally, with all the Blu-Ray hearsay on the internet, why double dip at this time. Within 10 years, another Dumbo Release will blow the 2006 SE release away.

5) Let us not rip into the studios for their DVD releases before 2002. At the time in 2001, the release of Dumbo was awesome and the studios were just starting to comprehend the DVD revolution. Let us remember at the time Citizen Kane was voted DVD of the year in 2001 (w/The Godfather) and now that release appears very limited in its extras.

The L&T Platinum probably blows the LI right out of the water, but I can not double dip because of points 3 & 4.

It may not be "great", but I don't quite understand why so many people say the Dumbo DVD is so bad.

I am in the yes for double dipping camp. It ranked with Pocohantas as having the worst transfer of a Disney movie.

The only thing that might make it a no is waiting for a Blu Ray version.

Pocohantas 2 Disc?

MICKEYMOUSE wrote:Pocohantas 2 Disc?

Surely he means the Gold Collection transfer, which was uuuugly.

is anyone else really excited to see the cover art for this release? i know that's one thing i REALLY am hoping to see soon!

Yes, I am!! I really want to see the cover art......I mean the DVD is set for JUNE, that means 3 months from now!! Come on Disney, show us the cover art!!!

I most definitely am looking forward to this release. I've been holding off purchase for almost two years now, following UD's reports that an SE was just around the corner. The Dumbo SE thing is just as bad as the "TBA" Lilo SE. I'm delighted that something is finally somewhat official.

I hope it will be released in something comparable to Sleeping Beauty or Alice, seeing as they were both Walt-era SEs. Although, even if it is just a quick retool like what happened with Tarzan, I will most likely pick it up.

I can't wait to see a digital restoration though. Dumbo and Fantasia are both so clearly grainy, etc. while being viewed on a digital display.

do we know if this was restored or not?... it doesn't really sound like it was since disney's been busy with the platinums and song of the south. i REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY hope it has been!!!

singerguy04 wrote:do we know if this was restored or not?... it doesn't really sound like it was since disney's been busy with the platinums and song of the south. i REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY hope it has been!!!

In the latest insider that comes with LATT, there's a VERY SMALL corner ad for the new Dumbo Special Edition, saying it's been remastered, etc. The picture they show is of Dumbo, from the cover of the 60th Anniversary edition (but not the entire cover).

mikemgmve wrote:

singerguy04 wrote:do we know if this was restored or not?... it doesn't really sound like it was since disney's been busy with the platinums and song of the south. i REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY hope it has been!!!

In the latest insider that comes with LATT, there's a VERY SMALL corner ad for the new Dumbo Special Edition, saying it's been remastered, etc. The picture they show is of Dumbo, from the cover of the 60th Anniversary edition (but not the entire cover).

Remastered doesn't mean its been restored. It just means a new transfer has been made from a previous copy. We shall have to see.

2099net wrote:

mikemgmve wrote: In the latest insider that comes with LATT, there's a VERY SMALL corner ad for the new Dumbo Special Edition, saying it's been remastered, etc. The picture they show is of Dumbo, from the cover of the 60th Anniversary edition (but not the entire cover).

Remastered doesn't mean its been restored. It just means a new transfer has been made from a previous copy. We shall have to see.

The Insider actually says it has been restored and remastered.

well as long as it's been restored i'll be happy, in all honesty

It's interesting that we are so spoiled by the work of DTS Digital Images (formerly Lowry) that we can call a DVD like Dumbo "a piece of crap."

Personally I think it's a fine looking DVD. When I first bought it, I compared it to my laserdisc and was amazed at the night and day difference in the transfer.

I'm sure if DTS Digital works on Dumbo for the new edition, it will surpass the current DVD but I still wouldn't call the earlier release "crap"

Will it be 2 discs?

singerguy04 wrote:is anyone else really excited to see the cover art for this release? i know that's one thing i REALLY am hoping to see soon!

I didn't like the cover art for the 60thAE edition. They could do so much better with this one.

I hope it gets treatment similar to Mulan 2-disc SE, or even Alice in Wonderland ME, or Mary Poppins 40thAE.

I don't own any version of the Dumbo DVD, and will purchase this one for sure, regardless.

Poppins#1 wrote:It's interesting that we are so spoiled by the work of DTS Digital Images (formerly Lowry) that we can call a DVD like Dumbo "a piece of crap."

Personally I think it's a fine looking DVD. When I first bought it, I compared it to my laserdisc and was amazed at the night and day difference in the transfer.

I'm sure if DTS Digital works on Dumbo for the new edition, it will surpass the current DVD but I still wouldn't call the earlier release "crap"

I wasn't calling the transfer crap. Frankly it's not as good as what we are now used to though. More or less the cgi menu's, and extremely long load time are tiresome. Not only by today's standards, but I feel even back then. I would prefer a static menu over the ones we're treated too. It feels like it takes 30 seconds just to start the movie, or go to the bonus features once you've decided what you want to do.

The problem I had with the Dumbo DVD was that I couldn't stop it without ejecting it.