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View Disney's official press release for <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/swordinth ... ><b><i>The Sword in the Stone</i>: 45th Anniversary Edition</b> DVD</a>

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Well, the news is in! The Sword in the Stone SE DVD will include a 1.66:1 Widescreen - as predicted - and, of course, a 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound Remix Track. After seeing "The Aristocats" DVD transfer, I'm sure - and hope - Disney does justice to the way the film was originally supposed to look, not how they wanted it to look.

So, just outta curiosity, what'd you all think of the re-release? I REALLY can't wait!

I'll start out by saying that this is not one of my favorite films. It was so unDisney that I was completly taken by surprise to learn that it was produced in Walt's day.

That being said, I've learned a new appreciation for the 60s-70s films. Whilst most of them are considered in ranking of the package films from the 40s, they have tons of heart, and their fun enjoyment. Even the animation, which is very different from that of the Golden Ages, is still delightful to watch. It seems the animators had more fun in those days. Which is odd considering Walt had just passed away.

In any case, The Sword in the Stone is not one of my favorites, but it's got something appealing in it. I'll be buying this DVD, possibly in December when it's 14 bucks, but I'll buy it!

I noticed Disney's finally looking into their Vault again. Just for more money, but I like it. And I felt Aristocats, despite the lack of bonus features, was a fairly good release. But another Sherman Brothers feature? Shoo...

Now that we have an official release date, and it's not too far away, I would imagine we would be seeing the cover art soon.

I will definitely be purchasing this one. I don't yet own it and would love to add it to my Disney DVD collection.

Eh, I picked up the GC version for $6 at Best Buy a bit back. I'm quite happy with it. As GC transfers and picture quality go, it's surprisingly solid.

I look forward to seeing the bonus feature regardless, though.

I say this new one's gonna suck.

It's tilt-and-scan, not desirable at all. If it's not original aspect ratio, I don't buy it. And not to mention, unless they include the original audio track, I generally don't like remade 5.1s of old movies...

I'll stick to the Gold Classics Collection for now.

I don't get why you'd make it 1.66:1... if you're gonna crop it, why not just go 1.85:1? Why are black bars needed if it's already messed up as it is? I wish Disney would use some common sense.

Is the 1.66 cropped? then if so it should be 1.78:1 since that's the AR for 16:9 screens, or is it to make it widescreen so the families with 16:9 wouldn't complain and neither will the ones with 4:3, since 1.66:1 is extremely un-noticeable on 4:3.

If they can't do a good job with the formats (even if they do cropping), Disney will become the fattest movie company of all time just like New Line Cinema.

So, I agree. It WILL suck.

MrIncredible wrote:Is the 1.66 cropped? then if so it should be 1.78:1 since that's the AR for 16:9 screens, or is it to make it widescreen so the families with 16:9 wouldn't complain and neither will the ones with 4:3, since 1.66:1 is extremely un-noticeable on 4:3.

That's the reason. Most 16:9 TVs overscan movies to 1.78 anyway (even if the DVDs are 1.66 or 1.75) and 1.66 isn't really noticeable on 4:3 sets.

I'm surprised that's what the didn't do with Aristocats, Robin Hood and Jungle Book and 101 Dalmatians.

and 1.66 isn't really noticeable on 4:3 sets.

What is your TV on? If your DVD player properly letterboxes widescreen DVDs, it will show it like it would show 1.85:1 films. (Or 1.78:1, whatever you prefer calling it). You just won't see the bars on the sides.

My point being that it's cropped, making it not worthwhile. Sure, widescreen is nice, but ONLY ON STUFF THAT WAS MADE IN THAT FORMAT.

drfsupercenter wrote:

and 1.66 isn't really noticeable on 4:3 sets.

What is your TV on? If your DVD player properly letterboxes widescreen DVDs, it will show it like it would show 1.85:1 films. (Or 1.78:1, whatever you prefer calling it). You just won't see the bars on the sides.

My point being that it's cropped, making it not worthwhile. Sure, widescreen is nice, but ONLY ON STUFF THAT WAS MADE IN THAT FORMAT.

Well, even if you can cut off the black bars from top to bottom - which of course you can - 1.66:1's side bars can't get cut off without cutting out even MORE of the already-cropped 1.66:1 Aspect Ratio.

That's what I'm talking about. You lose some of the picture, so unless you have HDTV why bother? The GCC version is great video-wise.

drfsupercenter wrote:That's what I'm talking about. You lose some of the picture, so unless you have HDTV why bother? The GCC version is great video-wise.

Well, the GC DVDs were good...until I realized those weren't the true colors Walt had envisioned for his films. Disney use to restore films to make them look the way THEY wanted them to. Now, I'm glad they restore the films to their original quality not only for the Platinum Editions, but for the SEs as well, which is what I hope they do for "The Sword in the Stone".

drfsupercenter wrote:

and 1.66 isn't really noticeable on 4:3 sets.

What is your TV on? If your DVD player properly letterboxes widescreen DVDs, it will show it like it would show 1.85:1 films. (Or 1.78:1, whatever you prefer calling it). You just won't see the bars on the sides.

Not the off button. My TV is fine. I'm just saying the black bars aren't as thick as a 2.35:1 or something film. No need to get excited.

the cover art is beautiful, i love how the blue and silver go together!

<img src=http://www.ultimatedisney.com/images/q-s/sits45.jpg>

I'll agree with that!

Is that really the cover art? The colors are wonderful but Arthur and Merlin are so off model it hurts! And nobody is on the spine? And what's with that weird new logo?

I think the color scheme is great, but the art needs to be redone.

I do love that Archamedies got featured on the cover. He is the best thing about The Sword in the Stone.

Merlin looks a bit off. Where did you find the cover art?

The logo is so horrible, I am really rolling on the floor laughing.

Maybe they just look off-model because they made the characters a 3D look. But anyhow, it is still beautiful!


"NEW! IMPACTFUL O-SLEEVE PACKAGE WITH FULL EMBOSS"

This has become the new awesome feature for Disney DVDs!

*Note the bottom: Package Art Not Final.

"NEW! IMPACTFUL O-SLEEVE PACKAGE WITH FULL EMBOSS"

Sorry, what does this mean?

And I actually kind of like it. The logo is awful, but maybe they'll change it since the artwork isn't final.

SwordInTheStone777 wrote:Merlin looks a bit off. Where did you find the cover art?

from the front page of UD(the news today was updated earlier), just go to the cover art section.