Disney & Censorship: Do You Agree With It?

[Iago]

Let me just start by saying that I am very against censorship of any kind. Particularly when it is a film or book etc... because I believe that what the author or director envisions should be.

I'm sure everyone is very familiar with Disney's censorship (Fantasia, Melody Time, Make Mine Music), and having seen the uncensored versions I can see where Disney is coming from. Even if it is somewhat superficial in Melody Time I think that a "no smoking" message is good nowadays, I do agree with it. As for the supposed "sexual references", I am all for editing those out (if they are actually true) just to silence any potential objectors.

There is one area I don't agree on. That is the subject of supposed "racist themes" in films such as Fantasia and Song Of The South. I think Disney is afraid of being accused of perpetuating racism, and I think this is fair enough as they are very sensitive about the content of their films. But I think "uncensored" versions should be available in order to provide a cultural and historical insight into the animation. I mean in retrospect, it definitely is racist, but I think people nowadays put too much importance on race and just sweep it under the carpet whenever someone strikes a nerve.

I mean, how can Disney be blamed for having racism in their films when the social standards of the time dictated it. I doubt they even thought about it when animating Fantasia! At least they could admit to it existing, instead of cutting it out right under our noses. I'm sure everyone has read the link in the FAQ section of UD and I'm sorry if you think this is a "rant".

Anyhow, just stating my opinion and was wondering whether you agree with the censorship of Disney (or anything in general) or not.

What do you think?

[Wonderlicious]

I don't agree with it, as it seems a bit silly changing age-old films, but I also find it to be somewhat odd on what Disney has and has not censored. Disney have edited parts of Melody Time and Make Mine Music to make them politically correct yet haven't even bothered changing some of their other old classics which all have their fair share of unPCness. Dumbo contains mass stereotypes, as does Lady and the Tramp, Peter Pan and The Aristocats. Alice in Wonderland contains a bong-smoking Caterpillar, Pinocchio and 101 Dalmatians have tobacco and alcohol in them and Snow White and Cinderella have lots of female stereotypes. If they go and change films most likely to only be viewed by adult collectors, why haven't they changed films such as Alice in Wonderland and Pinocchio which are bound to be bought by many many families? This is not to say that I think Disney should change those films to be PC, but I think that Disney should realise they're being hypocritical editing certain films.

Shouldn't this be in General Discussion, by the way?

[Iago]

Hmm... Yeh sorry about that!

I'm a Newbie! Be Gentle!

[ichabod]

To be honest I think everyone in this forum will vote 'no'! As we're all sick of it!

And if anyone votes for any of the other 3 options I am afraid I will have to hunt them down and beat them until their face looks like Michael Eisner's and the rest of those idiot Disney board members!

If someone doesn't like something they shouldn't watch it, and leave the rest of us to enjoy it in tact!

[RJKD23]

To be honest I think everyone in this forum will vote 'no'! As we're all sick of it!

And if anyone votes for any of the other 3 options I am afraid I will have to hunt them down and beat them until their face looks like Michael Eisner's and the rest of those idiot Disney board members!

If someone doesn't like something they shouldn't watch it, and leave the rest of us to enjoy it in tact!

I voted no because Ichabod scared me.

just kidding!
I actually agreed with the last point he made!

[orestes.]

I voted no!

It owuld be nice if they rereleased some of their edited films again. I bought them since I do like the movies (such as Saludos Amigos and Melody Time) and I don't think I could have waited for an unedited version.

[DaveWadding]

Alice in Wonderland contains a bong-smoking Caterpillar,

Sorry to be particular, but he smokes a hookah, not a bong. Similar but different.

[Mr. Toad]

I will take the contrarian position. Anything that is offensive should be taken out. Now, I think Disney has gone too far. I can't for the life of me find much offensive about Song of the South or the Centaurs. But if there is something truely racist take it out. Not acceptable in this day and age.

Ichabob, bring it on. While I may not be big, I hung around enough professional wrestlers in my day to hand you your ass.

[DaveWadding]

I will take the contrarian position. Anything that is offensive should be taken out. Now, I think Disney has gone too far. I can't for the life of me find much offensive about Song of the South or the Centaurs. But if there is something truely racist take it out. Not acceptable in this day and age.

Ichabob, bring it on. While I may not be big, I hung around enough professional wrestlers in my day to hand you your ass.

and I've watched more than enough to know how not to protect you when I drop you on your head

[Isidour]

Nice, a great chit chat and a fight

I´m totally against this type of acting from Disney, instead of facing "their" problems--because, in fact, are from the original drawers-- and say "Ok, it was made on 1950´s or 1940´s or 1960´s, they were diferent times and diferents ideas, today it´s today and we are not ashame of what Disney was or did" the go and say.
"Oh mi gosh, a black person doing this! censure it before we get sue!!"

I don´t want to generalize,but many of that soccer moms are the type of people who takes the religion too literally--if the bible said "jump from a cliff" they would undoubtly do it--and are the people than make Disney to do this actions.

I don´t know what you think of, but this way of do things show more to me a racist mind than a mature one.

[MickeyMousePal]

My answer is No!!!!!!!

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

Exactly what did Disney censor?

[Jayden]

I vote no. Disney has already shown that they can release controversial material and get away with it (Treasures). When I buy a product, I want to see the entire thing. It's like putting a pair of jeans on the statue of David. You don't see people all up in arms over that, do you? If one supports censorship in one area, one should support censorship in all areas. "It's a classic" can not be used as a justification, because whether or not it's a classic is a subjective thing altogether.

I say no to censorship in any way shape or form. Do you want to read a book with many lines covered by thick black lines, or go to look at a piece of art and only see half of it because the other half isn't on display? I know I wouldn't.

[Jayden]

Exactly what did Disney censor?

There are scenes from "The Pastoral Symphony" on Fantasia that have been zoomed to remove a Black Centaurette in a servant-like role. Another scene in the same section has a Black Centaurette digitally removed.

Cigarettes have been removed from Saludos Amigos and another one of the package features.

And a section is missing out of Meldoy Time (I think it's Melody Time but it could be Make Mine Music, I always mess those two up) called "The Martins and the Coys" because it depicts Southern folk in a stereotypical hillybilly like way (from what I understand)

Those are the big ones, if anyone knows more post them.

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

There are scenes from "The Pastoral Symphony" on Fantasia that have been zoomed to remove a Black Centaurette in a servant-like role. Another scene in the same section has a Black Centaurette digitally removed.

Cigarettes have been removed from Saludos Amigos and another one of the package features.

And a section is missing out of Meldoy Time (I think it's Melody Time but it could be Make Mine Music, I always mess those two up) called "The Martins and the Coys" because it depicts Southern folk in a stereotypical hillybilly like way (from what I understand)

Those are the big ones, if anyone knows more post them.

Those changes are stupid!!! Why did they do that?

[Little Red Henski]

Only Nazi's agree with censorship.

[Noriel]

I voted with 'no'. Jeez, if they want to get away with old cartoons, why don't we just gather all the books from the banned list and burn 'em? Same thing, right? *drinks a clear soda that looks like 7-up*

[Dan05]

I believe that what the author or director envisions should be.

If someone doesn't like something they shouldn't watch it, and leave the rest of us to enjoy it in tact!

I said NO and there is no need to explain it because I couldn't have said it any better than Iago and Ichabod have

I agree 100% with what I quoted

[Zoltack]

Only Nazi's agree with censorship.

You know who else did censorship? The Nazi's!!!
LOL> That's great. But yeah I think that's kinda... retarded censoring those films. If you don't want your kid smoking well... teach them not to smoke not get rid of scenes in timeless films. Come on!!! But you know that's how society is today.

[orestes.]

I see the people talking aobut why they voted no but I'm curious to why someone voted 'yes' and 'maybe'.