101 Dalmatians: Platinum Edition DVD Press Release

[Simba3]

101 Dalmatians is one of my favorite films. Its up there with Lady and the Tramp as a movie that I've wanted on DVD for a long time. I just wish Fall 2008 Platinum film was Pinocchio instead of SB.

I'm thinking Pinocchio will be the Spring 2009 release. I'm hoping Disney decides to cap off the Platinum line before they start re-releasing titles. Hopefully the spring 2009 Platinum will be announced in 101 Dalmatians release.

[David S.]

I for one am EXCITED and THANKFUL that Disney got the aspect ratio RIGHT this time at 1.33:1

Now I don't have to track down the older editions to see more of the animation frame, like I did with Jungle Book and Robin Hood (which was difficult but not impossible, since I travel frequently and look for FYE's when on the road)

I am not for pan and scan of true widescreen films, and to me matting true fullscreen films like this is just as bad, but seems to be more tolerated in the home theatre community.

YES, I know the DAC's from 101 to RH were often matted in theatres, but they were also shown fullscreen on some releases in theatres equiped to show them that way, and I read somewhere that 101 was once reissued to theatres pillarboxed!

Bottom line is, you will see more information this way, more of what the animators illustrated, AND THAT IS A GOOD THING.

Yes, consistency would be nice, but the problem there should be blamed on the botched matted JB and RH, NOT on 101 for getting it RIGHT.

Bottom line is, let's not kid ourselves, JB and RH were matted on DVD to conform to the growing number of Joe Sixpacks and Jane Soccermom's who now have widescreen TVs. The fact that the films were released in SOME theatres on SOME releases matted merely "legitimized" this. But rest assured, if there was no such thing as widescreen TVs, they would have been released fullscreen. Why have black bars where picture should be, wthout gaining any on the sides???

These aforementioned Joe Sixpacks don't give a bat's guano about what dimension a movie was DRAWN in. They just want to "fill their screen" at ALL COSTS.

These are the same people who whined about black bars on TRUE wide films like Sleeping Beauty, and now that they own 16:9 TVs, they complain to Disney about "why wasn't Bambi released in widescreen?"

When will some people learn that films should NOT be altered to conform to your equipment; the equipment should be subservient to seeing the ENTIRE FRAME.

I've heard of people inviting friends to there house and MATTING TRUE UNDISPUTED 1:33 films like Wizzard of Oz and Snow White to show off their new widescreen toys. Sad, sad, sad!

And I personally have SEEN a Wal Mart showing the Peter Pan DVD MATTED to showcase widescreen displays. Sad, sad, sad!

I believe THIS is the mentality Disney pandered to with the widescreen JB and RH. Those of us who want to see the entire frame, or who have fullscreen TVs, were forgotten.

But not this time. Artistic integrity TRIUMPHS with the fullscreen presentation of 101 Dalmatians!

And for that I would like to send BVHE my SINCEREST gratitude and thanks!

Looking forward to the release!!!

[yamiiguy]

I for one am EXCITED and THANKFUL that Disney got the aspect ratio RIGHT this time at 1.33:1

I'm pretty sure that The Jungle Book was originally made in widescreen...wasn't it?

And I thought that the original aspect ratio of this film was 1:66:1

[David S.]

101 Dalmatians, Sword In The Stone, Jungle Book, Aristocats, Robin Hood, and Many Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh were animated in the Academy Ratio (1.37:1) and matted in theatres to 1.75:1, making home video releases at 1.33:1 (closer to the TRUE ratio than 1.75:1 matting) the only way to see the frame as closely as possible to the frame as drawn: http://www.ultimatedisney.com/oar.htm

[yamiiguy]

101 Dalmatians, Sword In The Stone, Jungle Book, Aristocats, Robin Hood, and Many Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh were animated in the Academy Ratio (1.37:1) and matted in theatres to 1.75:1, making home video releases at 1.33:1 (closer to the TRUE ratio than 1.75:1 matting) the only way to see the frame as closely as possible to the frame as drawn: http://www.ultimatedisney.com/oar.htm

Ugh, hopefully 1:75:1 will be included on the disc...

[blackcauldron85]

What happens when someone watches a fullscreen film on a widescreen TV? Does it look like a widescreen film? Or are there extra black bars?

[David S.]

That depends on how the viewer has the settings on their DVD player and/or TV.

If done correctly, a movie like Snow White or 1.33:1 101 Dalmatians should look exactly the same as it does on a fullscreen TV, with "pillarbox" black bars generated on the sides because of the wider display.

Those who wish to "fill their screen" can use the settings to accomplish this goal, but they will of course lose information in the picture. The picture can also be "stretched", which distorts it greatly, but "fills the screen".

[Simba3]

I see that UD had updated the "Upcoming Cover Art" page and there is a picture for the 101 Dalmatians Platinum Edition DVD. If you click on the image, you can see a larger image. When you look at the larger image, it is on an angle so you can see the spine, where Cruella is pictured. Though I love my Disney villains, I am a little surprised to see Cruella's face on the spine, I think it should be Pongo. However, I do realize that this is an early draft and that could all change. I remember seeing Mowgli on the spine for some drafts of The Jungle Book, but the final product had Baloo on the spine.

[BambiFan87]

I think 101 dalmations cover art has to be the best one iv seen in years...its not TO cartoony IMO. I love it! and atleast cruella isnt dominating the front cover.

[SpringHeelJack]

I hope they change the spine... when Pongo and Perdita were on the top, I assumed they would be on the side, as they should. Though Lumiere appeared on the spine of "Beauty and the Beast", so clearly they have made nutty decisions in the past.

But I'm so darn particular about the spines...

[Simba3]

But I'm so darn particular about the spines...

Me too, that's why I took notice and posted. Though Lumiere is one of my favorite characters, I have always been annoyed that he appeared on the spine for Beauty and the Beast and not Belle. I'm hoping they will change it to Pongo before the DVD is released.

[Disney Villain]

I see that UD had updated the "Upcoming Cover Art" page and there is a picture for the 101 Dalmatians Platinum Edition DVD. If you click on the image, you can see a larger image. When you look at the larger image, it is on an angle so you can see the spine, where Cruella is pictured. Though I love my Disney villains, I am a little surprised to see Cruella's face on the spine, I think it should be Pongo. However, I do realize that this is an early draft and that could all change. I remember seeing Mowgli on the spine for some drafts of The Jungle Book, but the final product had Baloo on the spine.

Ah, you see I disagree. In all honesty, it may sound harsh, but the only reason people even remember 101 Dalmatians is because of Cruella De Vil. In fact she’s probably one of Disney's best known, and most recognized characters. I'd put her in the same popularity group as Mickey and Cinderella. People just know who she is. This is partly due to Glenn Close and her fantastic performance in the Live Action films. I was actually surprised that Cruella was not the "giant floating head" above the logo, in fact I was shocked. She is the most recognizable character out of the entire film, and I think that having her on the cover will be a major factor in the DVD's sales. I think Disney is smart for putting her on the spine. Oh, and I'm not saying these things because Cruella is my favorite Disney character (followed by Aurora, Maleficent, and Queen Grimhildie). I'm saying these things because it's a fact. Ask any non-Disney person about Cruella De Vil is and they'll know exactly who you’re talking about.

[Simba3]

Ah, you see I disagree. In all honesty, it may sound harsh, but the only reason people even remember 101 Dalmatians is because of Cruella De Vil. In fact she’s probably one of Disney's best known, and most recognized characters. I'd put her in the same popularity group as Mickey and Cinderella. People just know who she is. This is partly due to Glenn Close and her fantastic performance in the Live Action films. I was actually surprised that Cruella was not the "giant floating head" above the logo, in fact I was shocked. She is the most recognizable character out of the entire film, and I think that having her on the cover will be a major factor in the DVD's sales. I think Disney is smart for putting her on the spine. Oh, and I'm not saying these things because Cruella is my favorite Disney character (followed by Aurora, Maleficent, and Queen Grimhildie). I'm saying these things because it's a fact. Ask any non-Disney person about Cruella De Vil is and they'll know exactly who you’re talking about.

Oh, I definitely agree with everything you have said. Cruella De Vil is certainly one of Disney's most well known characters. She is also one of my personal favorites in the Disney villains category, I think she is wonderful. However, the movie is called 101 Dalmatians for a reason, because it is a story about the dogs. Now, I'm not trying to say that Cruella De Vil doesn't play an intricate part of this story, but ultimately the story is about the dogs. However, like you said, Cruella is probably the most recognized and remembered characters from this film. If you were to ask an average person to name a character from 101 Dalmatians, their response would probably be Cruella De Vil. Many people probably wouldn't even be able to come up with Pongo or Perdita. In all honesty, I could see Disney going either way in this issue. I personally would prefer to see Pongo on the spine, however; I wouldn't be surprised, nor overly disappointed, if Cruella retains that spot.

[MagicMirror]

In all honesty, it may sound harsh, but the only reason people even remember 101 Dalmatians is because of Cruella De Vil.

I agree that she's one of Disney's greatest characters (one review called her 'arguably the most memorable character in any Disney film'), she's not the only reason the film's critically (and commercially) successful, though she is a big part of it. There's also the design, the story and the animation in general. Cruella's generally cited as exemplifying the qualities the rest of the film has (great character design, animation, style, well-written) rather than as it's only highlight. She steals the show, but she's not the whole show.

I don't really mind who is on the spine. It could be Percival Fauncewater as far as I'm concerned, as long as the discs have good content!

[disneystarsfan]

the cover art for 101D is my favorite so far because it has that original feel to it. i like the red banner and spine for once since it will stand out in my collection, being first on my shelf before aladdin since it starts with a number(i organize my disney dvds alphabetically).

[jennydumas]

Ah, you see I disagree. In all honesty, it may sound harsh, but the only reason people even remember 101 Dalmatians is because of Cruella De Vil.

I remember 101 Dalmatians because of the Dalmatians. It's more obvious to me than Cruella De Vil.

[singerguy04]

Well out of all the characters that have made the spines of Disney DVD's she'll be the first villian. I'm actually really cool with her being on the spine. I think she's such a good character. She's a whole lot more than just evil to me. She seems to have a better motive than most villians which make her seem so much more real to me. I'm happy with the dogs being the biggest characters on the cover and her getting the spotlight she deserves on the spine.

[jennydumas]

Well out of all the characters that have made the spines of Disney DVD's she'll be the first villian. I'm actually really cool with her being on the spine. I think she's such a good character. She's a whole lot more than just evil to me. She seems to have a better motive than most villians which make her seem so much more real to me. I'm happy with the dogs being the biggest characters on the cover and her getting the spotlight she deserves on the spine.

I believe that is necessary too. She does deserve a spot

[disneystarsfan]

just a heads up. disneyvideos.com has removed the link to 101 dalmatians which probably means that they are currently editing the page as we speak to update for its platinum release. the same thing happened to cindy II when its link was taken down and was put back a couple days later with the new info.

[disneystarsfan]

just a heads up. disneyvideos.com has removed the link to 101 dalmatians which probably means that they are currently editing the page as we speak to update for its platinum release. the same thing happened to cindy II when its link was taken down and was put back a couple days later with the new info.

EDIT: an official info page has finally been created by Disney with the cover art coming soon at:
http://disneydvd.disney.go.com/moviefin ... 39403.html

i guess i was right about this lol. and the page is updated on what bonus features are on it!!! and the trailer is available in high quality for anyone who hasn't already seen it.