Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Disney has definitely been at the forefront of Blu-ray releases, and "Snow White" is no exception. When I popped the disc into my Blu-ray player and the movie began, I was impressed by the bright colors and the level of detail, but I also noticed some slight digital artifacting. I have to admit I was a little surprised. The soundtrack was amazingly clean...the best I had ever heard in its many incarnations. After watching for a bit, I was looking through the packaging and realized I was watching the DVD copy, not the Blu-ray. Folks, let me tell you...when I put the Blu-ray disc in, I was blown away. It was sheer perfection. It was as if I was looking at the actual painted backgrounds and cels. And the soundtrack...clear as a bell. Just absolutely amazing. To see the transformation of the Evil Queen into the Old Crone bears repeated viewings...it looks that good! Disney has also provided an alternate means to watching "Snow White." Since it was originally filmed in the 1.33:1 format, those with widescreen TV's will have black bars on the left and the right. By choosing the Disney view option, the art of Disney artist Toby Bluth subtly frames the movie, acting almost as an artistic movie theater curtain. This definitely does not detract from the film at all, and because Toby has matched the style of the movie, it can truly enhance watching "Snow White" again and again. Plenty of other extras, too. However, those with the previous special edition of "Snow White" will want to retain them as this set does not repeat them. Mercifully, Barbra Streisand's version of "Someday My Prince Will Come" has been left off, too (sorry Streisand fans...I am not one of you). The extras that are on this set include: Snow White Returns - Newly discovered storyboards suggest a brand new Snow White featurette that never got made. For the first time, current Disney animators show how this short story would have played. This always blows me away; the amount of well-preserved vintage memorabilia and historical information that Disney has preserved. This never-made featurette was most likely and excuse to use two sequences deleted from the original film, but it is still fun to see the possibilities of more from the dwarfs. The One That Started It All - It is hard to imagine in this digital age, but back in 1937, Snow White really revolutized the world of animation. This featurette helps place everything in context. Hyperion Studios - Audiences are digitally transported to 1937 to discover first-hand the Hyperion Studios, the original studio Walt Disney built where Snow White was created. Viewers will be able to "walk" (virtually, of course!) the halls of this historic landmark. This amazing "Backstage Disney" feature contains newly dimensionalized archival photos, never-before-heard animator recordings, archival transcripts and rare footage of Walt himself revealing how Disney's gifted filmmakers crafted the very first animated feature. And not to get mired in the past, this Blu-ray also includes a sneak preview of the first 6 minutes of "The Princess and the Frog," Disney's return to hand-drawn animation, to be released in a few months. And yes, it appears to live up to the hype! Overall: GET THIS SET! Even if you have previous editions, the upgrade in picture, sound, and extras is worth it.

There isn't much that hasn't already been said about "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs", Walt Disney's first feature length animated film. Suffice it to say that it not only fulfilled the studio's hopes beyond their wildest dreams, it made possible the Disney films that followed it. From the famous Grimm fairy tale about a beautiful princess who flees her jealous stepmother and finds refuge with seven friendly dwarfs, Walt Disney created a cinematic milestone. At the time the film was in production until the day it was released, rival producers were referring to it as "Disney's Folly". The sneering stopped when it was embraced both by critics and audiences, grossing many times it's then record (for an animated film) $1.5 million budget. Eight successful reissues have kept the movie in the public consciousness now for over six decades, during which time the field of animation has grown by leaps and bounds. Still. despite the cinematic advances and the passage of time, "Snow White" stands alone. While the classic story is but a framework for the film (a fact which troubled me for years), "Snow White" can be fully enjoyed for the pioneer it truly is. Along with a splendid cast of voices headed by Adriana Caselotti (Snow White) Harry Stockwell (father of Guy and Dean, as the Prince) and Lucille La Verne (The Queen), there are songs which can truly be called timeless: "Whistle While You Work", "Heigh Ho", "Some Day My Prince Will Come", etc.). Much time and effort went toward developing the characters of the Seven Dwarfs and giving each a distinct personality (absent in the original story) which went a long way in making audiences care for Snow White's plight. Interestingly enough, although the fairy tale was toned down considerably to make it more "family friendly", the overzealous way in which the film makers transformed the Wicked Queen into a hideous hag at the climax was the subject of an incredible amount of controversy at the time. In fact, it was under a partial ban in England which made it off-limits to children under 16 years of age! Nevertheless, it was the recipient of a special Academy Award in 1938. To go on about the impact made by the film would be redundant. It simply must be seen to be appreciated. In 2001, it was released on DVD as the first of Disney's "Diamond Editions". And many months before it was in stores, there was great speculation about the content. All the anticipation was justified when the DVD hit the stores. Critics and consumers were overwhelmed (just like the audiences back in 1937) with both the content and the painstaking restoration (beyond that done for it's 60th anniversary reissue) and made it THE Bluray for the subsequent holiday season. Without going into detail, it looks as if it were made yesterday, and sounds better than a film of this vintage could ever be expected to. But the streamlining has not diminished it's charm--only accentuated it. And when you think (before you are drawn into the story, and you ARE) that "Snow White", unlike today's computer-drawn animated features was entirely done by hand, that makes it even more of a miracle. Instead of listing the already well publicized bonus features, let me say that this "Platinum Edition" is like a self-contained history of the film, with hours worth of delights the most astounding being a pieced-together commentary by Walt Disney himself. Out of print for years, it is well worth the effort and expense to find. And although Disney made it a point to announce that they planned to go even further with their subsequent "Diamond Editions", Next up Beauty And The Beast October 5th!!

This is the 1937 Walt Disney American animated musical fantasy produced by Walt Disney Studio. Originally released by RKO Radio Pictures, it grossed $418 million. Based on the 1812 German fairy tale by The Brothers Grimm. It is the first full length animated feature film and the first Disney feature film. David Hand was the Supervising Director, William Cottrell, Wilfred Jackson, Larry Morey, Perce Pearce, and Ben Sharpsteen directed the individual sequences. It is the highest grossing animated film to date. It was nominated for Best Musical in 1938 and the next year Producer Walt Disney was awarded an Honorary Oscar for the film. The award consisted of one normal-sized, plus seven miniature Oscar statuettes, presented to Walt Disney by Shirley Temple. In 1989 the Library of Congress deemed the film significant and selected it as one of the first twenty-five films for preservation in The National Film Registry. The American Film Institute ranked it among the 100 greatest American films and named it the “greatest American animated film of all time” in 2008. Cast: Adriana Caselotti as Snow White; Lucille LaVerne as the Queen/Witch; Harry Stockwell as the Prince; Moroni Olsen as the Mirror. Plot: Fearing that Snow White will grow to be prettier than she, she orders her death. But the Huntsman cannot obey her, so he sends Snow White to run away into the forest to hide. Snow White comes upon the house of the 7 dwarfs and hides there caring for them until the Evil Queen, discovering Snow White still lives, disguises herself by turning into an ugly witch finds her. The witch offers her a poisoned apple that Snow White bites into and at that moment places her into a death-like slumber. This film is not just for children. It is an amazing work of art. It took Disney about 5 years to complete and he hand picked his artists. It is completely hand drawn and the total affect is a moving painting. Everything is detailed, all backgrounds are detailed which is never seen today. Even compared to CG art, which looks real depending on the subject matter but has no soul. Here, it is alive with soul even though it was the first attempt at such a difficult project where they would have to invent new ways of accomplishing their goals. I give this outstanding animated film 5 big stars. I recommend this beautiful movie to young and old that have not seen it, so you will understand why it is considered the greatest animated film ever made.

Just like Cinderella, Snow White now looks about as close as it can get to the original elements and the cels that were photographed and made into a film in 1937. It's older than Cinderella, so it might not look as superb, but it's grainy and all the original detail is there for you to see. Amazing work all around. While extensive use of DNR and image manipulation last time looked okay for a film like this, we now get what the animators had in mind. Colors are a bit subdued, cooler, and the image is slightly darker. But the UHD brings it all to amazing life with HDR and proper restoration work and mastering. The sequences with the dwarves now look lavish and authentic to the period. The animation is startling and detailed despite being so old. Disney finally seems to have went back to work to actually give us the original elements as best they can. After these first two films, I have high hopes for the DNR disasters like The Sword in the Stone and others. These films look SO much better than they ever have. Very thankful for the change in direction. The slipcover is also quite beautiful, and I am glad they got rid of the tech slash on all the covers they were using for a bit. This release looks much better than the dreadful steelbooks they have out from a packaging standpoint. Matte cover with foiled gloss. A little different than Cinderella but very well done.

Classic Disney movie great for kids

This first animated feature from the Disney studio is really beautiful.

I am looking forward to the 2009 dvd edition because I have seen countless times my vhs masterpiece copy which still plays like a dream. True, I have quite a few dvd sets, but I am a diehard vhs fan with many still in current library and thanks to JVC for great dual systems to play alternate formats on one unit. What I like about the discs are the compactability for on the go units such as laptop video units which I also have two of, and play very well, both Sylvannia & Go Video, so the convenience of watching my favorite movies or tv shows on discs is great. I also like the internet movies, but the discs I can view anytime and anywhere, and being my laptop videos are also battary operated is an added plus. The features to these disc sets are also great, although I do find I dont have much time to look at everything, but I get them just in case the day comes I need extras to watch instead of the same film fare. The recent Pinocchio platinum release just goes to show Disney movies just seem to get better with the revolution of video formats because the studios do extra enhancements to the film footage which make the color and sound vibrant with clarity. The only complaint I have ever had with vhs format was the lack of freedom to skip randomly, and the need to "rewind" after each viewing whether the film has been entirely viewed or not. So I look forward to another disney classic in my firm grasp such as this Snow White feature. It was a techno animated pioneer of its day when it introduced the first long length cartoon film which recieved many awards from the Academy. The animation still looks splendid with the effect of water color in landscapes. The songs are historical with Hi-Ho, and I cant count how many references Ive seen from many other non disney movies in regard to Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs lingo. The intro scene of the queen consulting her magic mirror is the staple to disney villains. Snow White's eerie tree sequence as she escapes from henchman is still compelling and transfers well to the honored ride in Disneyland itself. There are many historical facts to the making of Snow White as the frame by frame coloring of Snow White's rosey cheeks which was painstakingly done by disney artists. It's also a hoot to watch the live footage of men dressed as dwarfs which helped animators with the dance sequence. The queen transformation to the evil witch hag is one of the best fright night bits in movie history as her witch makes the biggest impression alongside the Wicked Witch of the Witch in Wizard Of Oz. The final scenes of the dwarfs dealing with the poisoning of their princess is very well done and incredibly animated with reverence. Snow White's prince, however, makes a very slight appearance throughout the movie and barely becomes much of a standout character because he is not given much to do other than become the apple of Snow White's eye (couldn't resist). Needless to say, the seven dwarfs are the real stars because they are personality plus, and the cute animals all around are the charming backdrop to the whole feature.

Bought this for my young granddaughter. She loved it!

Ich beziehe mich ausschließlich auf die limitierte Sammleredition in der schönen Samtbox. Zum Film äußere ich mich nicht mehr, er ist einfach ein grandioser Klassiker. Zunächst einmal muss ich sagen, dass ich erst spät zu dem Glück gekommen bin, diese schöne Sammleredition zu besitzen. Glücklicherweise habe ich über den Amazon Marketplace ein Schnäppchen machen können und die Box sogar zu einem günstigeren Preis erworben, als er damals zum Release war. Das ist ein echter Glücksgriff bei einer so streng limitierten Auflage. Nun zum eigentlichen Objekt der Begierde: Die Samtbox ist größer als ich erwartet habe. Und schwer ist sie. Das macht schon Eindruck und zeugt von Qualität. Sie ist rundherum mit Samt überzogen (auch an der Unterseite). Das dunkle Rot erinnert - wie im Märchen erwähnt - an Schneewittchens Lippen rot wie Blut. Dazu die Goldschrift und Zierde. Das ist wirklich hübsch gemacht. Klappt man den Deckel der ansehnlichen Schachtel auf, erwartet einen gleich die kleine rote Samtschatulle, in der die 8 Pins untergebracht sind. Jeder einzelne Pin ist wunderschön anzusehen und sie wirken sehr edel mit ihrer goldfarbenen Umrandung. Die Aufmachung mit dem weltbekannten Szenenbild, auf dem die sieben Zwerge über einen umgekippten Baumstamm in den Feierabend marschieren und dabei singen, ist wirklich eine zuckersüße Idee. Die Pins werde ich niemals aus dieser Schatulle nehmen um sie irgendwo anders heran zu pinnen, denn sie gehören dort herein als gemeinsames Kunstwerk. Als Bonus ist ja noch ein Pin mit dem Cover enthalten, welches sich auch auf dem ebenfalls enthaltenen Buch widerfindet. Alle wichtigen Figuren des Films sind auf diesem Pin verewigt. Wenn man die Sammlerbox dann weiter erkundet, stößt man als Nächstes auf die Blu-ray Hülle im schön gestalteten, geprägten Pappschuber. Darin befinden sich 3 Discs. Eine Blu-ray mit dem Film und einigen Extras, eine weitere Blu-ray nur mit Extras und eine DVD mit dem Film. Danach kommt der "doppelte Boden". Innen ist diese Box übrigens in blau gehalten. Man klappt nun also den Boden wie eine Flügeltür auf und tadaaa: Es kommen das Echtheitszertifikat und die Kunstdrucke von Schneewittchen und jedem der sieben Zwerge zum Vorschein. Das Echtheitszertifikat macht schon was her. Hier wird noch einmal bestätigt, dass es sich bei diesem Sammlerobjekt um eine Auflage von nur 2.000 Stück handelt. Nachdem man die 8 Kunstdrucke ausgiebig bewundert hat, kommt ein weiteres Highlight zum Vorschein: Das "Making-Of Schneewittchen"-Buch würde ich es nennen! Es erwartet einen ein massives, dickes Buch, das wie bereits bei einem der Pins erwähnt, das gleiche Cover aufweist. Am Einband des Buches findet sich das Goldmuster auf rotem Untergrund wie auf der Samthülle der Box wider. Das Buch zeigt einen ausführlichen Einblick in die Produktion des ersten abendfüllenden Zeichentrickfilms und man kann einfach stundenlang darin schmökern. Für mich - als Disneyfan von Kindesbeinen an und mittlerweile leidenschaftliche Sammlerin - ist diese Collector's Edition ein wahrer Schatz, der aus meiner Sammlung nicht mehr wegzudenken ist. Ein hoher Kaufpreis ist für "Normalos", die keinen Wert auf diesen Schnick-Schnack legen sicher viel Geld. Aber mir ist so eine Box jeden Cent wert. Sie wird sich zwischen meinen anderen Sammlereditionen sowie weiteren Disney-Titeln und Produkten auf einem Ehrenplatz einreihen und mich immer wieder mit ihrem Anblick erfreuen. Ich bin froh, wenn auch erst so spät, eines dieser begehrten und seltenen Exemplare ergattert zu haben.

Biancaneve è una bellissima principessa, che vive con la matrigna malvagia e vanitosa. Quest'ultima, chiede ogni giorno al suo specchio magico "chi è la più bella del reame". Quando lo specchio le risponde che Biancaneve è più bella di lei, l'invidiosa regina ordina ad un cacciatore di uccidere la fanciulla. Biancaneve allora è costretta a fuggire nel bosco e trova rifugio nella casetta dei sette nani, i quali la ospitano volentieri. Ma la regina non si da per vinta: usando la magia per travestirsi da vecchia, va dalla principessa e la inganna facendole mordere una mela avvelenata. I nani, dopo aver trovato Biancaneve morta, la mettono in una bara di vetro e vegliano su di lei. La fanciulla ritorna in vita quando viene baciata da un principe. Era il lontano 1934 quando Disney annunciò la produzione del suo primo lungometraggio animato. Il suo progetto sembrava impossibile all'epoca, ma alla fine il nostro Walt, dopo aver speso soldi, tempo e tutte le sue energie, riuscì a regalarci questa meraviglia: delle animazioni eccezionali, delle scene d'impatto e una grafica incredibile. Anche la caratterizzazione dei personaggi è resa bene: non credo serva soffermarsi sui fantastici nanetti o sulla regina cattiva. La protagonista è spesso oggetto di critiche da parte di chi la definisce 'troppo sdolcinata, mielosa, ingenua'. Ricordatevi che quelli erano altri tempi. Al giorno è naturale che il pubblico impazzisca per una Principessa che mette k.o. un cacciatore, oppure per un'altra che colpisce gli avversari a suon di padellate. Ma Biancaneve è Biancaneve: è giusto che sia pura, innocente e che abbia un pò di lato materno; perchè è questa la sua vera bellezza. Biancaneve e i sette nani è impeccabile per essere un film del 1937, non solo per la sua perfezione grafica, ma soprattutto per l'atmosfera musicale e fiabesca che coinvolge lo spettatore e lo porta al di fuori della realtà, quell'atmosfera che, d'ora in poi, caratterizzerà quasi tutti i film d'animazione, Disney e non. Un vero capolavoro da trasmettere alle successive generazioni.

GREAT MOVIE

Bon film

La clásica de clásicas. El primer dibujo animado de Disney el cual se reestrenó y coloreó para su distribución (originalmente la película era en blanco y negro). La imagen es fabulosa y gana enteros en todos los apartados. Jamás se había visto tan bien y la crítica especializada le ha otorgado algunas calificaciones perfectas por la fabulosa restauración que realizó Disney. Trae el redoblaje del 2001, pero la verdad es que me gustó ese doblaje y nunca vi el del VHS. El audio latino es Dolby Digital 5.1, el cual se oye muy bien en teles sin barra de sonido. También trae audio en inglés 5.1 DTS-HDMA y subtítulos en ambos idiomas. El código digital es válido solo para USA.