Alice in Wonderland Special Un-Anniversary Edition DVD

[buffalobill]

I guess I'm the only one whose not bothered by this release, since I never got the Masterpiece Edition, so I will be picking this up. As for them not releasing it on Blu-Ray, while I do have a Blu-Ray player, I'm not too bothered by not getting an HD transfer. Besides, I'm more pre-occupied with getting Toy Story, Fantasia, Beauty and the Beast and The Princess and the Frog on Blu-Ray. Now, if only they could announce a release date for those last three.

But most other studios put out the majority of their releases now in both formats. Why not, Disney??? They want to shove blu ray down everyones throats but when you go blu the offerings are so few and far between.

[Cordy_Biddle]

I'll most probably get this, if only to finally have the "One Hour in Wonderland" episode, missing from my R4 version of the Masterpiece edition. Then if it comes to Blu-ray next year, I'll sell it off.

[DarthPrime]

Although I have a Blu-ray player I'm not bothered with the DVD only release. I don't have this film yet, so I'll pick it up when its released.

[slave2moonlight]

I really want that pig and pepper scene, but I think I'll hold out here in the assumption it will be included when the film finally comes to Blu-Ray.

[rj.disney]

I'll most probably get this, if only to finally have the "One Hour in Wonderland" episode, missing from my R4 version of the Masterpiece edition. Then if it comes to Blu-ray next year, I'll sell it off.

actually, I might, too. I got the R3 release of the Masterpiece Edition and we only got a single disc edition. I think it was only the R1 which got the 2-disc treatment.

[Disney Duster]

Albert, Alice WAS in the center of the Gold Cellection, hugely in the center, and then she was closest to the center in the Masterpiece Edition (no one was really in the center, but she was closest). She was focused on in both covers, but in this one it seems more on the Hatter. But it doesn't matter what they did before, what's right is for her to always be the focus.

The same with Pinocchio, he should have been more in the middle. But being the hugest character on the cover, he was still the focus.

[JustOneBite87]

I have to say, I am really dissapointed with disney. i mean

. delaying dumbo
.not releasing alice on blu-ray
.not knowing when the diamond editions are coming
. and delaying the black cauldron when it was suppposed to be released in june and probably delaying the great mouse detective.

what is going on BVHe US

My exact disappointments as well.

It's becoming harder and harder to get excited when a new title is announced since it could be released in a few months....or a few years from that time.

I was 16 when I became excited for the Lilo and Stitch special edition...finally got it when it came out at age 22.

And as for the lack of a blu-ray transfer... it's obvious that Disney didn't make time to prep an HD Master of the film in time for March.

However you can bet your bottom dollar that they were determined to re-issue and capitalize on the original in some home video format regardless. Sadly, because of this DVD-only release, the chances of seeing a standalone non-dvd-concurrent blu-ray release this year are pretty much slim to none.

This is just the Mary Poppins 45th anniversary scenario all over again.

[Disneykid]

Albert, Alice WAS in the center of the Gold Cellection, hugely in the center, and then she was closest to the center in the Masterpiece Edition (no one was really in the center, but she was closest). She was focused on in both covers, but in this one it seems more on the Hatter. But it doesn't matter what they did before, what's right is for her to always be the focus.

I disagree. Most of the characters are looking and facing her on the cover, which draws our attention to her, as well.

And as for the lack of a blu-ray transfer... it's obvious that Disney didn't make time to prep an HD Master of the film in time for March.

Actually, they technically do. The 2004 restoration was done in HD (in a 2K master, I believe). There are quick clips of the film on the Sleeping Beauty and Snow White Blu-rays (possibly even Pinocchio, too, can't remember), and it looks stunning on those. They could have very easily ported over that master to BD.

Now that the most major Disney animated films have received HD restorations, it'll be interesting to see which non-CAPS films will retain their current masters and which will be done all over from scratch (ala Pinocchio).

[Elladorine]

A character doesn't need to be in the dead center or even be closest to the center to be the main focus of the pic.

[BK]

I think the most unfortunate thing about this piece of news is not in itself Alice's Blu-Ray snub but in fact the 'strategy' surrounding it.

That is to say, if Alice in Wonderland doesn't get a Blu-Ray being a highly popular and recognized film in addition to an adaptation by Disney themselves being released what chance does any other non-Diamond movie have?

Not even talking about the package features that are overlooked but 'recent' arguably popular and well-liked movies such as Pocahontas and Tarzan. The other part of this 'strategy' also doesn't make any sense; Princess and the Frog's home video release is starting to look like Bolt's and prior to that MTR and CL: lacking. Why is this when it's just been released it should be much easier to create a good jampacked special edition so they don't have to waste time and effort trying to later on and failing because it's too late.

Disney should seriously re-evaluate which movies are considered DACs considering their approach is that if you're not Diamond, you don't count. In say 15 years time or even less perhaps, the original prints of DACs not restored from the 60s could be beyond repair (I'm not an expert and am just assuming) and simply can't look as good as it could have, not whether by choice Disney decide they want to resurrect it. What's the point in having 50 'Classics' when 70% of them are considered/treated like trash?

Sure they want to establish a premium line (Diamonds) but does that really mean all the rest should get nothing? If anything, there will come a point where the audio/visual can't get any better (Blu-Ray?) so the next re-issue of Snow White will have nothing to support itself but special features. What then are Disney going to do when a high percentage of consumers don't care about special features? Digital downloads are not going to be commonplace simply because it doesn't truly feel like you own anything. (Keychest will fail) They should take lessons from early Pixar where each release was treated fairly, equally and deservedly. From such treatment the consumer will feel each movie is special rather than 'Not a Diamond? Must suck.' that Disney seem to say. I say early Pixar too because from Cars onward reviews apparently say the quality has tumbled, funny too seeing that from Cars onward (except Cars) they have had their most critically acclaimed films.

I would think that with the average human being prone to a collecting syndrome Disney would make more $ creating their entire line something special and marketing it as a collection rather than 14 assorted titles that have no link either than the artificial branding given to them and that they will soon wear out. Also if they do want to still create an illusion of grandeur about these 14 titles, the vault still can be used but as for the rest, children will be able to appreciate them throughout. The irony of these special titles is that they also skip a generation before coming out again thus a whole section of the potential future market. People say kids are all about CGI these days but it's Disney's own fault seeing that they were and are the only major 2D proponent and they don't even justify their catalogue properly, each 'Classic' is good in its own way and each is loved by some people and not by others (life) so why are Disney depriving this chance to the future audience. Yes, they are available on DVD so not really depriving as such, but if someone's favourite happened to be 'The Rescuers' why is it that only 'Sleeping Beauty' got the masterclass. Saying that, some of the DVDs released aren't even up to standard of a normal DVD video/audio wise which is presumably what the average consumer desires. (going by reviews)

That's what I had to say and would like to continue sometime. I'm sure everyone knows these points too since I just arrived here but maybe you'll have some feedback for my views (too idealistic maybe?)

[yukitora]

I keep reading the title as 'unspecial anniversary edition' which is what this really is.

It's ok though the 2-disc never came to Australia and whilst it's a huge disappointment none of us should be surprised. And hey, the DVD fans who got gipped with Snow White won't be complaining.

Wishful thinking, but maybe the BD will be released alongside Tim Burton's film.

[Elladorine]

There. I fixed it.

[Escapay]

There. I fixed it.

Fixed it again.

[JustOneBite87]

Actually, they technically do. The 2004 restoration was done in HD (in a 2K master, I believe).

2K? I'm sure that would yield pleasing results with our current 1080p setups...but I would think that Disney may want to go even further with a 4k master or even up to 8k like Warner Bros did for The Wizard of Oz so that the same master would be good for decades to come.

[SpringHeelJack]

There. I fixed it.

BUT SHE'S NOT IN HER CHAIR!!! THE MAD HATTER IS!!! WHAT'S DISNEY TRYING TO PUSH HERE?

[Elladorine]

Now, now . . . if we're gonna take things that direction the Mad Hatter (Hattress?) should be front and center. We all know that's where the star of the film belongs! Than Alice can have her beloved seat back (and be off to the crummy old side) while we're at it.

[Jules]

Hey! You didn't do me sprouting out of your head! I'm complaining to someone! lol

[kbehm29]

I just re-read through all of the posts from this thread.

It is now clear to me why Disney is doing this:

a) there are several people who posted that this DVD was not part of their collection yet because they missed out on the Masterpiece edition, so they will be picking it up

b) there is at least one individual who is a die-hard Alice fan who will be double-dipping on this

c) there are several people who are interested in double-dipping because of the added bonus features

d) the others will wait and eventually buy the Blu-ray

I would say based on the above analysis that it would make financial sense for Disney to capitalize on the Alice hype and re-release this to DVD right now. It's a good business decision for them, and although it maddens us who are waiting for BD...we will still buy the BD when it is available so the maddening is at no loss to Disney (if that makes sense to anyone but me).

[Old Fish Tale]

Reflections on Alice: Walt Disney labored for almost twenty years to get his vision of Alice in Wonderland on the screen. In this featurette, learn about how a exceptional group of talented individuals conquered the difficulties of translating Lewis Carroll’s beloved tale into a classic animated movie
Deleted scene: Pig And Pepper: In the twenty years it was in development at the Walt Disney Studios, Alice In Wonderland went through many changes. This rare glimpse at a scene that was once considered for a 1939 version of Alice In Wonderland is narrated by the directors of The Princess And The Frog, and offers their informed perspective on how scenes come and go during the development of an animated movie
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
"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

Source.

[PixarFan2006]

I guess I am one of the few who will be picking it up. I missed out on the Masterpiece Edition (Which was before I had a job) and I need it for my DAC collection.