That Disney Fella! wrote:I have often thought that same question. I mean, there were some awesome laserdisc releases from Disney that for some reason haven't been equaled on DVD. I think Albert has a thread going with some of this info in it. He'd probably be a good one to ask.
I remember a lot of old laserdisc threads that UD had, though I can't look for them right now. But I know that most answers can be found at disneyinfo.nl, a site which had a section devoted to Disney laserdiscs. There was also a great French site that had large scans of the laserdisc covers, but I can't remember the URL. UD member mvealf also has a Disney laserdisc site, which is accessible from the www link in his profile.
I'm fairly certain I have a list on my computer somewhere of all the laserdisc material that hasn't been carried over to DVD. When I find it, I'll post it.
That Disney Fella! wrote:I know that the 'special feature loaded' ones were laserdiscs in something called "The Archives Collection" (i.e. the Saludos Amigos/Three Caballeros, etc).
Exclusive Archive Collection.
Exclusive Archive Collection:
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea
Alice In Wonderland
Donald Duck - A Star Is Born
Mary Poppins
Mickey Mouse - The Black And White Years - Volume One
Swiss Family Robinson
The Three Caballeros & Saludos Amigos
Tron
Deluxe Edition:
Aladdin
Cinderella
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Fantasia
The Lion King
Pinocchio
Pocahontas
Sleeping Beauty
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Toy Story
Limited Edition:
Bambi: 55th Anniversary
Fun And Fancy Free: 50th Anniversary Limited Edition
Mary Poppins: Limited Edition
Peter Pan: 45th Anniversary Limited Edition
The Jungle Book: 30th Anniversary Limited Edition
Other Names:
Bedknobs and Broomsticks: 25th Anniversary Special Edition
Lady And The Tramp: Collector's Edition
Old Yeller: 40th Anniversary Edition
Scream: Director's Cut
The Little Mermaid: Collector's Edition
That Disney Fella wrote:I know that the "Something Wicked This Way Comes" laserdisc has a much sought after audio commentary from Ray Bradbury, but I don't know what other special features it has on it (perhaps some deleted scenes? another cut of the film?)
The laserdisc also included an isolated track of James Horner's score for the film. Also, according to the back of the cover, the commentary includes Ray Bradbury as well as cinematographer Stephen Burum and special effects consultant Harrison Ellenshaw. Which is odd, because aside from the laserdisc cover I found at disneyinfo.nl, no other site mentions that Burum and Ellenshaw are on the commentary. Either way, it's a pity it wasn't included on either the Anchor Bay disc or the Disney disc. It's a title that definitely screams Two-Disc Special Edition. There's so much potential for extras:
Disc One could contain the original cut of the film, with Georges Delerue's score and without the added/refilmed scenes that were shot later. Also, it could include deleted scenes that weren't included in either version of the film as supplements, as well as the 1983 TV special.
Disc Two could have the laserdisc commentary as well as a new one (Jonathan Pryce and Jason Robards? Or the two kids, now all grown up). It could also include a new documentary about the "dark" time for Disney and the making of the film as a way to branch out, an interview with Ray Bradbury (who is STILL ALIVE) about his thoughts on the film (as he wasn't too happy with the finished re-filmed film), and of course, the theatrical trailer.
That Disney Fella! wrote:I know that the Brazilian DVD release of So Dear to My Heart has some newly discovered footage narrated on it. It is missing from the DMC Exclusive DVD released here in the States.
Which is a pity, as the Brazilian DVD uses the original Gold Classic Collection cover art that R1 was supposed to get when the film was originally scheduled for release. The other regions use different cover art.
Have you imported the Brazilian version, fella? I've been meaning to for some time now via Amazon Marketplace, but never really got around to it (mainly because as wonderful as
So Dear to My Heart is, I'm not that anxious to add it to my collection ASAP)
That Disney Fella! wrote:I know that the Peter Pan DVD release in France had some extra stuff that was left off our Platinum release.
Namely the 1924 silent film version and a 27-minute featurette narrated by John Canemaker all about the Nine Old Men.
That Disney Fella! wrote:I wonder if there are other DVDs that have special features that aren't released in R1?
Off the top of my head:
Pinocchio - R2/R4 SE's have a brief 5-minute featurette (easily found on youtube), a storyboard-to-film comparison, a couple bonus cartoons (Figaro, Jiminy, etc.), and a game.
Make Mine Music - one of the R2 releases includes Martins and the Coys (can't remember which). Can't remember if "All the Cats Join In" is altered or unaltered (breast reduction).
Melody Time - R2 has Pecos Bill unedited.
Peter Pan - 1924 silent Film and 27-minute Nine Old Men featurette (R2 France, R2 Japan)
The Aristocats - Sherman Brothers featurette (now on R1 SE)
The Fox and the Hound - Passing the Baton featurette (now on R1 AE)
The Rescuers Down Under - R2 and R4 have a 10-minute making-of featurette (easily found on youtube)
Pocahontas - pencil animation for "If I Never Knew You" and a few other brief pieces from the laserdisc set.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame - R2 and R4 have several brief laserdisc pieces (they don't have the TV special or commentary like R1).
Hercules - "Art Attack" featurette and video gallery.
Lilo & Stitch - R2 UK has an additional music video, everyone except R1 have the audio commentary and the second disc with the hours of bonus features. (hopefully this all changes in March!)
Chicken Little - R2 UK had a special preview DVD released in a newspaper or magazine (I forget which) that included the trailer, some TV spots, and a few other little bonuses (can't remember what)
That's just the DACs, though. I know that there are some live-action titles that get better treatment (mainly OAR widescreen). For example, the Norwegian DVD for
Håkon Håkonsen (a.k.a.
Shipwrecked) is the original Nordic/English version (all other regions, including US, is the International version with all scenes in English) and includes a making-of featurette and the trailer.
That Disney Fella! wrote:The original R1 releases of The Fox and the Hound and The Aristocats I believe both had original theatrical trailers on them that have since been dropped off current DVD releases.
They were actually re-release trailers, not the original theatrical ones. What's strange is the BBFC passed trailers and TV spots as extra features for
The Fox and the Hound, though Disney ultimately decided not to include them in any of the re-releases.
That Disney Fella! wrote:Plus the recent Saludos/Caballeros DVD set has some 5 minute Walt interview that I don't believe is on the Archive Collection laserdisc (if you're looking for the COMPLETE canvas of bonus features).
Sadly, it's not even 5 minutes. It's a little under 2 minutes and its brief inclusion (instead of a couple of the EAC features) is rather pathetic. Of course, what was more pathetic and a huge missed opportunity is that Disney didn't include the new documentary
Walt and El Grupo (unless they don't have the rights to it?) in the 2008 DVD.
albert