DVDizzy Forum

As a lifelong Disney fan, and one whose favorite film is Alice in Wonderland, I have long been aware of the somewhat shoddy treatment that Alice has received among other films (both "greater" and "lesser")...the lack of merchandise (although there has been more in recent years), the lack of credit given (Mary Blair's wonderful concept art, striking visuals and brilliant sequences etc)...the way that it was immediately released to video when, in my opinion, it still had theatrical life...When the Disney Stores came into existence, I watched as promotions came and went, seldom was Alice ever featured in any of them...

Alice in Wonderland has been a mainstay in the Disney market, only once did it ever receive any sort of special treatment, the 1986 induction into the "Classics" series, with a decent promotional campaign, and a few keen store displays (lifesize Alice standee, posters etc.)

I AM excited that they are actually releasing Alice as a 2 disc dvd, however the reality is that a great deal of the materials included already existed on the deluxe laserdisc, released several years ago. True, it is wonderful that these materials are being made available on dvd, but I still am forced to ask, why were these not included on the first go around? Furthermore, why are they not bothering to include some sort of brand new documentary? Surely they could take advantage of the recently published book on the life of Mary Blair (which hopefully will be covered in the "art gallery") and DEFINITELY, they should have taken the time and given some consideration to include the participation of Kathryn Beaumont, who I believe is the last surviving cast member, and is still with us, providing some great commentary on the recent Peter Pan dvd...I have seen the list of extras that will be on the upcoming release (due to the wonderful website that is UltimateDisney.com), and I've seen the roster of "new" content that is slated to appear...I'm somewhat frightened at the prospect of seeing yet another generic pre-teen girl group sashaying to some pumped up version of an Alice tune, wearing horrid blue eyeshadow perhaps...or something worse (thoughts of the "Once Upon a Dream" fiasco that appeared on the Sleeping Beauty dvd)

Again, I am appreciative that this is coming out, and I will buy this and enjoy it, as I have done with every other video/dvd release of this title--being an obsessive Alice fan I've found it necessary to own every incarnation of this title because the cover art was different...sigh... But still, for a 50 year old film that has been given what I feel to be the shaft for so long, that is only now really being given it's due, I really think that they could have shown it a little more respect, and they could have done more. There is NO promotion, there is NO tie-in, NO merchandising, NOTHING.

I asked the very kind person at my local Disney Store whether I could perhaps expect some kind of litho tie-in, or anything in the way of a promotion, and I was told that "they" probably wouldn't, because they limit their promotions to bigger films--which I took to mean the latest theatrical venture. I know that this film has a genuine fan base, the amount of postings here, and the flurry of activity on most Alice items of worth on E-bay seem to demonstrate that, so I really don't understand why they continue to treat this film almost as if they are embarrassed by it. I refuse to buy into the "drug connotations", but rather choose to view it as another Disney treatment of a classic story, that has great animation, truly original visual style, and do not believe that this movie was ever meant to convey anything of the sort.

This is obviously a sore subject with me, and I will shut my yap for now. Too late to cut it short, but I will say that yes, I'm excited...but I definitely have mixed feelings. I am in the process of restructuring my Alice website, and will probably devote ample space for this DVD release, welcoming visitor comments etc, so please keep your eyes/ears open for it.

Thanks for reading (if you still are) =)

Chaz

I am excited about the release. Maby now that they are releasing this movie on a 2 Disc Set they will release Jungle Book, and Lady And The Tramp.

mrkateb wrote:As a lifelong Disney fan, and one whose favorite film is Alice in Wonderland, I have long been aware of the somewhat shoddy treatment that Alice has received among other films (both "greater" and "lesser")...the lack of merchandise (although there has been more in recent years), the lack of credit given (Mary Blair's wonderful concept art, striking visuals and brilliant sequences etc)...the way that it was immediately released to video when, in my opinion, it still had theatrical life...When the Disney Stores came into existence, I watched as promotions came and went, seldom was Alice ever featured in any of them...

Alice in Wonderland has been a mainstay in the Disney market, only once did it ever receive any sort of special treatment, the 1986 induction into the "Classics" series, with a decent promotional campaign, and a few keen store displays (lifesize Alice standee, posters etc.)

I AM excited that they are actually releasing Alice as a 2 disc dvd, however the reality is that a great deal of the materials included already existed on the deluxe laserdisc, released several years ago. True, it is wonderful that these materials are being made available on dvd, but I still am forced to ask, why were these not included on the first go around? Furthermore, why are they not bothering to include some sort of brand new documentary? Surely they could take advantage of the recently published book on the life of Mary Blair (which hopefully will be covered in the "art gallery") and DEFINITELY, they should have taken the time and given some consideration to include the participation of Kathryn Beaumont, who I believe is the last surviving cast member, and is still with us, providing some great commentary on the recent Peter Pan dvd...I have seen the list of extras that will be on the upcoming release (due to the wonderful website that is UltimateDisney.com), and I've seen the roster of "new" content that is slated to appear...I'm somewhat frightened at the prospect of seeing yet another generic pre-teen girl group sashaying to some pumped up version of an Alice tune, wearing horrid blue eyeshadow perhaps...or something worse (thoughts of the "Once Upon a Dream" fiasco that appeared on the Sleeping Beauty dvd)

Again, I am appreciative that this is coming out, and I will buy this and enjoy it, as I have done with every other video/dvd release of this title--being an obsessive Alice fan I've found it necessary to own every incarnation of this title because the cover art was different...sigh... But still, for a 50 year old film that has been given what I feel to be the shaft for so long, that is only now really being given it's due, I really think that they could have shown it a little more respect, and they could have done more. There is NO promotion, there is NO tie-in, NO merchandising, NOTHING.

I asked the very kind person at my local Disney Store whether I could perhaps expect some kind of litho tie-in, or anything in the way of a promotion, and I was told that "they" probably wouldn't, because they limit their promotions to bigger films--which I took to mean the latest theatrical venture. I know that this film has a genuine fan base, the amount of postings here, and the flurry of activity on most Alice items of worth on E-bay seem to demonstrate that, so I really don't understand why they continue to treat this film almost as if they are embarrassed by it. I refuse to buy into the "drug connotations", but rather choose to view it as another Disney treatment of a classic story, that has great animation, truly original visual style, and do not believe that this movie was ever meant to convey anything of the sort.

This is obviously a sore subject with me, and I will shut my yap for now. Too late to cut it short, but I will say that yes, I'm excited...but I definitely have mixed feelings. I am in the process of restructuring my Alice website, and will probably devote ample space for this DVD release, welcoming visitor comments etc, so please keep your eyes/ears open for it.

Thanks for reading (if you still are) =)

Chaz

1. I *completely* agree with you. The lack of Alice merchandise (though it's getting a bit more than usual lately) has bothered me, and though I'm greatly excited for the upcoming 2-Disc, I feel they should've taken time to add audio commentary and a new featurette. This makes Alice the first 2-Disc Disney DVD ever to not have audio commentary.

2. Mr. KateB! I remember your website! I used to visit it frequently as it (along with another-now-dead Alice site ran by a girl named Melissa I believe) was the only Alice site on the web devoted solely to the Disney film. I can't wait to see it resurrected!

Hey, mrkatep, I pretty much agree with everything you said. It's a shame Disney doesn't give some of their masterpieces the attention and care they deserve. Yeah, it is really great to see "Alice in Wonderland" finally release as one of their big classics with a 2-disc DVD.... but where is the marketing and merchandising? And think about it... even "The Lion King 3" gets a two-disc set with more effort put into it. No, I don't mean better extras (I'm sure "Alice" will be a much better DVD), but Disney didn't care to produce a new commentary track and a making of featurette for "Alice", neither to create sophisticated animated menus (well, at least for the 2nd disc... they look pretty, but I don't know how animated they are)... they simply ported (almost) everything that was on the laserdisc. Not that this is a bad thing, on the contrary, but new bonuses wouldn't hurt... Oh, of course, we will have the new games and the "I'm Odd" sequence. Still, it will be great to have everything on disc, and I will be VERY happy if the movie was restored to the level of "Snow White" and "Sleeping Beauty". Can't wait for this DVD!!!!!

Well, here is a more complete and decent list of extras from Amazon.com

Technical Information
Release Information:
Studio: Walt Disney Home Video
Theatrical Release Date: July 28, 1951
DVD Release Date: January 27, 2004
Run Time: 75 minutes
Production Company: Walt Disney Home Video
Package Type: Keep Case


Aspect Ratio(s):

Full Screen (Standard) - 1.33:1


Discographic Information:
DVD Encoding: Region 1
Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono), Spanish, French
THX Certified


Edition Details:
• Encoding: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. This DVD will probably NOT be viewable in other countries.) Read more about DVD formats.)
• Animated, Color, Closed-captioned, Dolby
• Disc 1:
• Remastered and restored with an all-new transfer
• Virtual Wonderland Party activities including riddles, silly song & dance, Teapot orchestra, Mad Hatter Says, and other games and stories
• "Thru the Mirror" animated short with Mickey Mouse
• "I'm Odd" never before heard song
• 2 Sing along songs
• Set-top game
• Disc 2:
• "One Hour in Wonderland" documentary (60 mins.)
• "An Alice Comedy: Alice's Wonderland" featurette (8 mins.)
• "Operation Wonderland" featurette (11 mins.)
• Excerpt from "The Fred Warring Show" (30 mins.)
• Deleted Material Featurettes: "From Wonderland to Never Land," "Song Demos," Deleted Storyboard Concept: Alice Daydreams in the Park"
• Original Walt Disney TV introductions and trailers
• Art galleries
• Plus a Wonderland match card game set
• Number of discs: 2
• ASIN: B0000TG9E2

While not a full review, a few comments on the new DVD can be found here: http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum ... did=178032
It seems we are getting and all-new transfer after all.

Great review, sounds like we are again getting a very special treat. I am looking forward to this release and it's many extras. Hooray!

I always expected a new transfer because this new one if THX certified (the old disc wasn't). I was also expecting it to be restored to some extent (although it sounds like Disney have gone the whole hog).

I'll also be shocked if there isn't a commentary. I expect the disc to have one (like Sleeping Beauty did with no publicity). After all, Sleeping Beauty was even released internationally without a commentary but Disney US comissioned one. I would expect no less for Alice.

2099net wrote:I'll also be shocked if there isn't a commentary. I expect the disc to have one (like Sleeping Beauty did with no publicity). After all, Sleeping Beauty was even released internationally without a commentary but Disney US comissioned one. I would expect no less for Alice.

But we even saw the menus and there is no commentary at all... Only if it appears in the "Set up" menu, which I think is unlikely.

It's where the Lion King commentary was. Also it was the only way to access the original cut (talk about unlikely!)

I seriously hope you're right, 2099, because a commentary would make up for the lack of new non-LD material (games don't count). As of now, this is the first 2-Disc Disney DVD from R1 with no commentary.

The home theater forum is due to post a review later today!

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/index.php

It's here : http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum ... did=178164

I'm *shocked* to find out the ME edition outstrips the GC by leagues in terms of picture quality. The GC edition looked excellent to me to begin with. Man, I can't *WAIT* to nab this thing...

Well, I'm so shocked that there's no commentary, I fell off my chair.

I cannot believe Disney has released a 2 disc set without commentary.

Still, at least I have the original mono soundtrack to look forward to (and this will be the only way I watch the movie).

Shame they didn't expand on the Art Galleries - I hope these are not a redo of the poor quality scrapbook on the R2 release.

Home Theater Forum's <a href=http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum ... did=178032 target=blank>review</a> is very posotive, calling the transfer the equeal of Sleeping Beauty and highly praising the extras. Plus, it confirms that not only is One Hour in Wonderland on the disc, but it's <b>uncut</b>, including Coke ads and <b>ten full minutes of Song of the South</b>, which I believe is the first time Disney has EVER released any SOTS material to any home video format in the USA (save Zip-A-De-Do-Dah for the sing-along songs VHS tape many years ago.)

Jake Lipson wrote: <b>ten full minutes of Song of the South</b>, which I believe is the first time Disney has EVER released any SOTS material to any home video format in the USA (save Zip-A-De-Do-Dah for the sing-along songs VHS tape many years ago.)

Actually they do have one of the animated segments on one of the Treasures sets. It was either the Behind the Scenes at the Disney Studios or the Disneyland one, I don't remember which. It was also in black and white...so maybe this footage will be a step up?

Maerj wrote:

Jake Lipson wrote: <b>ten full minutes of Song of the South</b>, which I believe is the first time Disney has EVER released any SOTS material to any home video format in the USA (save Zip-A-De-Do-Dah for the sing-along songs VHS tape many years ago.)

Actually they do have one of the animated segments on one of the Treasures sets. It was either the Behind the Scenes at the Disney Studios or the Disneyland one, I don't remember which. It was also in black and white...so maybe this footage will be a step up?

It was on the Disneyland disc, within "The Disneyland Story" show on the first disc.

Back on topic: From the review, it sounds like this set will be even better than I expected - especially with the uncut Hour In Wonderland. I had no idea what most of the material was, since I've never seen them, but this definately looks on par, if not better, than Sleeping Beauty's discs.

There's something about the review I don't get. The reviewer mentions that the SotS segment of One Hour in Wonderland is in *COLOR*?? I've seen One Hour in Wonderland before, and the entire program is in black and white, including movie clips. Color TV didn't even comes around till like the early 60's. Did Disney replace the clip of SotS with the same scene only taking it directly from the film (hence the color)? If so, did they do this with the other clips on the show?

Before the episode begins, a title card appears and says that the excerpts from the animated features and shorts are in color because if Walt had the option, he would have presented them in color.

That's why the "Zip a Dee Doo Dah" sequence from Song of the South is in color on the Laserdisc and DVD.

Despite the inevitable bickering of some purists about that, I'm glad they went that route as those clips should be shown in their true form. Since you (I presume) own a copy of the DVD, could you tell us what the galleries are like? I, like 2099, am curious as to what kind of gallery Alice contains. I'm 90% positive they aren't virtual (though I'd LOVE that), so are they rather extensive such as Lion King/Treasure Planet or smaller like with Peter Pan?

Bad news...
There are no Art GalleRIES... the only art gallery is the same scrapbook from the international releases!
From the updated HTF's review:

“Art Galleries” which comprise about 8 screens of about 9 images each. The first 5-6 screens contain sketches and watercolors of the Alice in her nonsense world. The style of the images varies greatly and most don't bear much resemblence to what you see in the final film (in terms of character design and concept) which is curious. The last few screens show snapshots of live-action images of artists working at the Disney studios etc. The menus are nicely rendered and easy to navigate...you can cycle from screen to screen and then highlight a particular image to fill the screen. Once an image is magnified you can also scroll through the images one after the other and when you're finished with that menu's selections you end up back on the menu page. This is nice because you never get too deep into the image that you would tire of trying to navigate your way in/out.

Yeah, I'm still impressed with this disc, but we all know Disney could do better.