Please help: confusion about PE line

[DisneyFreak5282]

I completely agree with the above statement. BVHE should really try creating a brand new line that is on par with the PE's but more open to all of the DAC's. An example being the Disney Masterpiece collection of the 90's or the Black Diamond collection.

Exactly. And SpringHeelJack, I think what he meant was he wanted to see a line of Disney films to DVD/Blu Ray that were what the Masterpiece Collection and Black Diamond Collections were to VHS: no matter how successful or unsuccessful the film was, it was released in that line. Heck, even some of those Masterpiece Collection VHSs got remastered picture and sound, and some even got bonus features (the documentaries on the Masterpiece VHS of Sleeping Beauty and Peter Pan, anyone?).

True, but that's not a good comparison, because back then didn't need to do jack-squat for special features. They just threw the movie on a cassette, occasionally remastered the picture / sound, and people were thrilled. I'd love for every movie to get an excellent treatment, but let's face it, more people are going to buy a snazzy two-disc "Cinderella" than they will a two-disc "Melody Time" that had the same time, money, and effort put into it. It's just good fiscal sense.

Oh, then I'm not down with that!

The Platinum line is special. If all the DAC's end up as Platinums...they won't be Platinum!

Can you imagine The Sword in the Stone, Dinasaur, or Chicken Little as Platinums. Yup, those last to have become offcial DAC's. People may like those films, but popular, great classics they are not.

Well, what I meant was that not EVERY release had to be a 2 Disc release. Just an improvement over previous releases of that certain film, with a decent amount of bonus features. Like for a film that was previously in the GC line, if Disney put some decent bonus features, or even maybe a documentary that'd be cool.

[SpringHeelJack]

And SpringHeelJack, I think what he meant was he wanted to see a line of Disney films to DVD/Blu Ray that were what the Masterpiece Collection and Black Diamond Collections were to VHS: no matter how successful or unsuccessful the film was, it was released in that line. Heck, even some of those Masterpiece Collection VHSs got remastered picture and sound, and some even got bonus features (the documentaries on the Masterpiece VHS of Sleeping Beauty and Peter Pan, anyone?

But not every animated film was released in the Black Diamond or Masterpiece collection... we didn't get every DAC on VHS up until the Gold Collection even. Plus, every DAC has been released on DVD by this point. Granted, it's not been on the same line, but neither were the VHS version. And some of the DVDs got more special features than others, just like on VHS... I'm not sure what the difference is between the current DVD line and the older VHS lines, except that some of the DVDs (arguably the ones that will sell better) got btter treatment. Just like on VHS.

[Escapay]

To hell with the edition name, just give each film it's due in a/v restoration and presentation and give it whatever special features are appropriate for its "popularity". If it's some megaseller, give it a two-disc set filled to the brim. If it's an unpopular title, give it the shaft because the most fervent of fans will buy it anyway.

Oh wait...that's what Disney already does. Only they add the overinflated edition names to create an artificial importance...

albert

[Flanger-Hanger]

coming soon Disney's OMGTHIZMOVIEROCKKZZCUZMYFREINDTEDSAIDSO!!! edition line. Featuring such titles as:

Cinderella 2
The Hunchback of Notre Dame 2
That Darn Cat! (1997)

and more!

[singerguy04]

As Disneyfreak5282 said, what i meant was that the films should just be released together instead of seperated like the PE's are from everything else.

Why not call them Animated Classic Collection and just release them all over the course of 8 years? Then add special banners for anniversaries and so forth along the way to spotlight specific films and make them 2-discs for the occasion.

It just kinda seem like the release cycle is a mess and that we ned something fresh, and now that we have blu-ray i feel like it's the perfect time to start anew.

[DisneyFreak5282]

As Disneyfreak5282 said, what i meant was that the films should just be released together instead of seperated like the PE's are from everything else.

Why not call them Animated Classic Collection and just release them all over the course of 8 years? Then add special banners for anniversaries and so forth along the way to spotlight specific films and make them 2-discs for the occasion.

It just kinda seem like the release cycle is a mess and that we ned something fresh, and now that we have blu-ray i feel like it's the perfect time to start anew.

Exactly. I think if the movie is popular, make it a 2-Disc set. If the movie is celebrating an anniversary the year that Disney decides to release it, make it a 2 disc set. If the film is not celebrating an anniversary or is not popular, just make it a 1 disc.

Man, if only the BVHE execs could be reading all of our posts...

[JDCB1986]

I know it will probably never happen... But especially now that most of the films in the DAC canon have been restored digitally, I think Disney needs to go in order, releasing one film every quarter or so until they've released a properly formatted and presented version of each film.

They could release each film in a one disc edition, fully restored with a few appropriate bonus features. If they marketed it as a collection (which could be achieved as simply as making each cover art similar - something like Tarzan's special edition, maybe, a sketch of the main character on a simple background - along with a number on the spine.) Giving each title a limited pressing would also help sales.

If they made something collectable like that even less enthusiastic collector's would join in. And now that Bluray is picking up momentum, it would be a perfect time to start.

Again though... It will never happen haha

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[PeterPanfan]

^ Was that a poem...?

Why is everyone saying "one-disc editions" would be enough? Is it so hard for Disney to just not be lazy and actually look for bonus features?

[blackcauldron85]

Why is everyone saying "one-disc editions" would be enough? Is it so hard for Disney to just not be lazy and actually look for bonus features?

I agree. I think that episodes of, or intros from, the Disneyland, The Magical World of Color, The Wonderful World of Disney, etc., episodes would make great bonus features (I know that some films already have these as bonus features, but not all that could). And trailers and promotional items (such as posters and even pictures or video from the premieres) are a no-brainer to include (again, I know that some films already have these as bonus features, but not enough of them!)! And even short documentaries should be mandatory; I know that the backstory behind the reasoning to make the package features is the same for all the package films, but maybe there could be featurettes on how and why Disney chose the stories they did, and the source materials; for example, "Pecos Bill" was a folk tale (or a tall tale), right? What about "Johnnie Fedora & Alice Bluebonnet" or "Little Toot"? How did those come to be? Little featurettes about things like that can't be too hard to come up with, right?

[singerguy04]

Actually, they probably are. It's not as if everything in the company's history can be found in a digital datbase in a few seconds. The company's history is stored in warehouses and the sort. It's like looking up a book in the library years ago only using card catalogue, and then it can only be found if it was put in the right place. Sometimes things get lost and then they have to find this kind of stuff which is like hunting a needle in a haystack, on top of that there is the possibility that what they need to find doesn't exist or isn't even on location anymore. Basically, it's not about being lazy it really does come down to cost and time. Apparently Disney doesn't view most of the films as costworthy, which all in all they probably aren't. That is why I would be happy with a resotred picture of each film (because that is something that should be relatively easy to get done), and a few bonus features that are worthwhile. This would probably make a 1-disc set that I could be happy with.

Now to totally go against what i just said, I would LOVE if the company would put the time and money to go through everything they have and make awesome 2-disc releases of each film. And to be honest, i'm convinced it wouldn't cost them enough to go under and i feel like they probably wouldn't make much of a profit, but in the end i think it's what's best. It's like a museum, do you really build a museum to make money or preserve history so that future generations may benifit from your generations discoveries?

[blackcauldron85]

A few months ago, I did some research on the Disney Archives, because working there would be my ultimate dream job. In a couple interviews with Dave Smith that I read, he said that there are only a few people who work at the Archives, and that they don't hire new people very often.

Saying that, it should be someone's or a few people's job to archive what's in the archive- to know what is where, and they should be abe to aid in the creation of bonus features for the DVDs.

Even putting Disney Channel promos (like the Movie Surfers) for newer movies (both animated & live-action) would be an improvement for some of the titles; we all know that a lot of the live-action titles have no bonus features on their DVDs.

Apparently Disney doesn't view most of the films as costworthy, which all in all they probably aren't.

What do you mean by that? Maybe I don't know what "costworthy" means...but why wouldn't the films be "costworthy"? a) They are Disney films, and that right there makes them sort of historical, or at least special, since Disney has so many rabid fans, and b) They would make money. Sure, "Saludos Amigos" won't make as much as "Beauty and the Beast", but it still would make the company money...make it a 2-disc set and charge more for it; sure, people would complain, but if the only way to get the 2-disc DVD set is to pay $25.99, then people will pay.

There are so many treasures in the Disney Archives, and Disney should just employ people to discover those treasures and share them with the world. I need a job, and haven't been able to get one in 6 months, and I have such a passion for it that I would be the best employee!!!!!! (If anyone from Disney reads this...contact me!!! PLEASE!!!! )

[singerguy04]

What do you mean by that? Maybe I don't know what "costworthy" means...but why wouldn't the films be "costworthy"? a) They are Disney films, and that right there makes them sort of historical, or at least special, since Disney has so many rabid fans, and b) They would make money. Sure, "Saludos Amigos" won't make as much as "Beauty and the Beast", but it still would make the company money...make it a 2-disc set and charge more for it; sure, people would complain, but if the only way to get the 2-disc DVD set is to pay $25.99, then people will pay.

just curious, did you read the rest of my post of just stop there?

All of the films are obviously hostoric and it's obvious each film has it's fans, but some films are enjoyed by more people than others. Those films should get special edition 2-disc edition because the general consumer would buy into them. You cann't mean to tell me seriously that you think a 2-disc edition of Saludos Amigos priced at $25 would sell as well as a 2-disc edition of Sleeping Beauty or any other film at the PE status.

Heck, they packaged Saludos Amigos and The Three Caballeros TOGETHER and priced it at a low price and still people didn't buy it. The Gold Collection's didn't sell that well either, and that's why they were packaged together this time around. Yes, I'm absolutely sure that if disney would put together a wonderful 2-disc special edition of Saludos Amigos some people would buy (probably you, myself, and reyquila for example) but to mass produce it and put in the the market would be suicide.

To simplify my standpoint... In order to give everyone what they want disney would have to produce 2 seperate releases. One as a basic release, and the other a collector's edition. The collector's edition would have to be made at a set quantity and released that way. Much like what JDCB1986 said, this would raise collectability and make more people want to buy it. This would allow Disney to jack the price up a bit and afford to put the kind of special features we all want on the release.

[blackcauldron85]

I did read the rest of your post, but Disney knows that it has a big fanbase, and for them to think that one of their movies isn't costworthy just doesn't make much sense to me. I do agree with you- as I had said, a movie like B&tB (or SB) definitely would sell better than the package films, but that's no need to skimp on the other, "lesser" movies. Like what you said, Disney could release a basic release and a 2-disc Collector's Edition (like they did earlier this decade)...maybe that would be the most ideal situation; the CEs could be limited editions and Disney could charge more, and the die-hard fans would buy them, and since they'd cost more, Disney would make a nice profit.

I know that some of Disney's fanbase is made up of average fans, like families, who would buy a bare-bones release of the film just so the kids are entertained. But Disney is a company that has so many die-hard fans and collectors that you'd think that they'd cater to us a bit more. We're the ones willing to spend the big bucks on Disney things. A lot of fans who already had the GCs of SA & T3C probably didn't buy the new 2-movie set, since it wasn't worth double-dipping, but had it had excellent bonus features that weren't on the last discs, then a lot of Disney fans would've double-dipped. By spending more time and money on releases, Disney will make more money. Give us quality product, and we'll give them our money.

[SpringHeelJack]

It's like a museum, do you really build a museum to make money or preserve history so that future generations may benifit from your generations discoveries?

Yes, that's very true, but the problem is that Disney is not a museum, it is a company, and the bottom line will be how much money the product can make.

Disney could release a basic release and a 2-disc Collector's Edition (like they did earlier this decade)...maybe that would be the most ideal situation; the CEs could be limited editions and Disney could charge more, and the die-hard fans would buy them, and since they'd cost more, Disney would make a nice profit.

Okay, let's say that Disney made a very comprehensive two-disc set of "The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad". They release that for $30, and also a one disc version for, say, $20. How many people to begin with are going to buy this movie? Then take into account how many of them would actually buy the two disc set instead of the one disc. Face it, only people like us are going to want a set like that for smaller-scale less popular film. How many copies do you think it would sell nation-wide? I doubt it would even make enough to cover costs, which is the bottom line. Releasing a two-disc DVD for a movie like "Tarzan" which did pretty well critically and financially is far less of a gamble than Disney investing the same amount of money and resources into "The Black Cauldron".

[blackcauldron85]

I guess in my mind, something like the Treasures could work for Disney movies. How many average people buy the Treasures? I mean, sure, more people are interested in Disney movies than they are the shorts and obscure TV shows, but the limited-edition idea could work for the movies, at least for some of the movies. Movies in the Platinum collection have a wider fanbase than the other DACs, so maybe this limited edition thing wouldn't make sense for those films.

I don't know...all I know is that if Disney really wanted, they could make excellent DVD versions of their films. They have the materials in the Vault.

Or maybe they could make a Treasure set (or something like it) just made up of what otherwise would be bonus features; they could include trailers (I've wanted a DVD of just trailers for a long time), and other promotional material...surely that would sell as well as the better-selling Treasures, right?

[JDCB1986]

^ Was that a poem...?

Why is everyone saying "one-disc editions" would be enough? Is it so hard for Disney to just not be lazy and actually look for bonus features?

no, it wasn't. and if you noticed I said it's a good time for them to do this
because of Bluray's just starting to gain momentum...1 Disc Bluray's would be plenty

If they release crappy 2 -Disc releases you would complain. So why not nice, thoughtfully put-together single disc editions? You have to keep in mind that making a 2-Disc edition costs more than making a 1-Disc edition. If they don't feel like it's a title that will sell well Why would they put all of that time and money into producing a nice, lavish 2-Disc set ?

I'd like to see it happen that they actually release each of their films in a 1-Disc edition and i'd bet that 90% of the people here complaining about it would still go out and buy them anyway

We all know good and well that if Disney released a single disc version of a film that any of us have been waiting to get ahold of we would go out and buy it... i'd be willing to bet on it

i'm not saying i wouldn't LOVE to have a 2-Disc edition of every title in the DAC canon. But realistically, it's not going to happen, at least for a long while, so why complain about it ? why not just enjoy the film and it's best presentation available ?

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[tlc38tlc38]

I'd buy any of the DACs on Blu-ray...I could care less if their 1 or 2 disc sets. I just want the DACs on Blu-ray!!

[PeterPanfan]

First of all, please don't write like that. It's not cool, and it gives me a headache. Plus, there's no point to it.

And second of all, Disney knows that there are die-hard fans who would buy two disc edition, so I really think they have no excuse.

[pap64]

Going back to the Aladdin discussion it would be sad to see it being kicked out of the Platinum line.

The problem is that in the fab four "Aladdin" is the ignored middle kid whose older and younger siblings have accomplished more.

"The Little Mermaid" kicked off the renaissance and brought fairy tales back into the studios.

"Beauty and the Beast" was a grand romance akin to Broadway musicals that pioneered the use of computer animation and was nominated for an Academy Award for best picture.

Finally, "The Lion King" became the highest grossing animated film till "Nemo" dethroned it.

"Aladdin" was a wildly popular film, yes, but didn't "accomplish" as much as the other films did.

Never mind the fact that it was the first Disney film to break the rule about pop culture jokes, features some of the best music the 90s had to offer, incredible voice casting, animation inspired by both Arabian art and Al Hirshfield, a princess that can show skin and get away with it (;)) and a great villain.

Its an important film that's part of modern Disney history.

[blackcauldron85]

First of all, please don't write like that.

Maybe JDCB1986 types out what to write on Notepad or a similar program, and when it gets copy/pasted here, it formats like that?

a princess that can show skin and get away with it ( )

What about Ariel? I mean, she's a mermaid when she's showing skin, but still...

And I agree, Dan- if Disney really wanted to cater to the big Disney fans & collectors, they could work hard and make either really jam-packed 1-disc DVDs or really jam-packed 2-disc DVDs. 2 discs usually means more bonus features, which I'm all for, but I'd definitely take a jam-packed 1-disc DVD. I do understand the arguments that a) for some films, there may not be a heck of a lot of bonus material in the archives, and b) that digging up some rare bonus materials could take a lot of time and money, and Disney would have to charge more than for the DVD than the average DVD to make back the money, and that some people wouldn't buy the movie, anyway. Again, I say that making them limited editions could be the answer.