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Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Disney Platinum Edition)

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Disney Platinum Edition)

List Price: $29.99
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Gem from the past
Review: Thinking of the efforts to creat a cartoon movie in the days when there were no computers is just amazing.The movie is more like an gem from the past for its beauty, the colours, the music.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Nearly Lives Up to (DVD/Film Enthusiasts') Expectations
Review: There are so many laudatory things one could say about the film itself--the first American feature-length animated film, its use of the multiplane camera, color, realistic animation, characters, and so forth. I will not go over such familiar territory here. Suffice it to say, if you have not seen SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS and you are at all interested in either animation or pivotal moments in film history itself, then you should fill that gap in your knowledge. That being said, I will confine my comments to the DVD edition itself as it might appeal primarily to the adult animation/Disney fan.

First, there are a ton of extras here which include a range for almost anyone. Check out the list of contents--everything from an "interactive" ride with Dopey to archival material to technical information on the process of animation. Many other reviewers have listed their favorites, and I am no exception. A particularly nice addition is the Silly Symphony "The Goddess of Spring." It's always nice to buy a feature-length film and get a short that helps demonstrate technical aspects to animation. Also quite useful were excerpts from the Disneyland TV show which focused on technical information, including "Tricks of the Trade." This is a solid introduction to the multiplane camera. And then, for those of us who love paper as much as cels, there are production design galleries and posters from various theatrical releases. All these extras are combined in an easy-to-navigate format, which is much appreciated.

Before addressing the reason for my 4 star rating I should comment on the DVD's overall tone. It is almost excessively indulgent, whether when expressed in the Disneyland excerpts or the guest appearances. Disney knows and lets the audience know that SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS is a great product and that they also created a materful DVD. But it gets tiresome to hear how the world of Disney is so wonderful; the evidence should (and does) speak for itself. There is lots of shameless self-promotion here, much of it unnecessary and some of it irritating. More balanced commentary from historians and scholars like John Canemaker would have been preferable to the prescence of Angela Lansbury or the "Disney Through the Decades" cast; the "testimonials" felt like the actors were still under contract rather than offering heartful support to the film.

I know, you might be thinking "And shouldn't a company congratulate itself?" To an extent, yes, and I would agree that this DVD is well worth the money. But--and these are the reasons which are enough for me to withhold a 5 star rating (I would have given it a 4 1/2 if there was such an option--there are some omissions, additions, and errors that interfere with my enjoyment of the DVD as both a Disneyphile and scholar. Surely "The Old Mill" was worthy of inclusion as the company's multiplane camera test short! More information in the galleries, to finally giving proper attribution to studio artists, would better satisfy those who would spend time perusing such material. Did we need Streisand's rendition? Most distressing for me is the inclusion of the so-called Brother Grimms version of Snow White; I will simply say the version they provide is incorrect, altered for a Disney audience (to check out for yourself, look at Norton's Critical edition of tales edited by Maria Tatar). In such a carefully wrought work, such an error is careless and suspect. There is also the concern with navigational speed; it seems a bit clunky at times, though I am more than willing to overlook this for the wealth of materials that Disney does include.

Overall, the DVD is well worth the amount charged. It demonstrates the potential that DVD offers an informed audience and makes it possible for those new to animation or Disney to become an informed audience. I highly recommend adding it to your collection, even if you have yet to purchase a DVD player. However, I withhold a 5 star rating for its (rather obvious and unnecessary) omissions and errors, and its congratulatory, almost smug tone.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great Stuff!
Review: The DVD is very interactive. And the story & animation is as amazing as it was in 1937. Don't miss it!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Classic animated fairytale
Review: This, the first full length animated feature, is undeniably a classic in its own right. It's still one of the few Disney films that truly manages to capture the horror of its original source. Grimm fairytales are notorious for their morose tone, and several of the more menacing scenes from the book are brought to life here.

In the movie Snow White is draped in rough garments to hide her beauty from the jealous Queen, but when her magical mirror informs her that she is no longer the 'fairest one of all', she sends a huntsman to kill Snow White. When our heroine manages to escape, her trip through the horrifying woods, with branches and hollows looming out at her from the shadows is stunningly realised. When she is rescued by the seven dwarves, that movie becomes a little more comic. Thankfully the dwarves are never overbearingly cute, but remain ultimately winning, especially the mute Dopey and stuck-in-his-ways Grumpy.

The most important thing about this movie is though that it never veers too far in one direction. It mixes light humour with inobtrusive songs and colourful scares. In particular the Queen's transformation into a hag is just so well done that it would rival even some of Disney's later and more polished films. There's even a little play with the subtext of the sexual feelings that Snow White evokes in her hosts. This is a Disney movie to treasure.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Disney does it again!
Review: Let's face it, Disney is the big name it is for a reason. That reason being - you aren't let down. Sure, you've seen Snow White, but this version brings DVD to a whole new level. The extras are interesting, entertaining, and creatively produced. The magic of Disney continues on, never breaking the illusion while offering up secrets of the production. As usual, Disney takes to mind it's whole audience by giving you extras that will entertain at least one member of your family at any given time. And the Barbra Streisand version of Someday My Prince Will Come is stirring, to say the least. For fans of Snow White, or fans of Disney in general, you will not be disappointed!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Amazing restoration and content
Review: The colors in the restored version jump out at you -- particularly the purple in the Queen's robes, and the glittering jewels in the mine scenes.

The extras on this disc are stunning. My four-year-old does a better job with Dopey's Wild Mine Ride than I do. The history of Disney and its Snow White release is a fascinating program, and the unfinished and deleted animation gives an interesting look at where else this movie could have gone.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Extra Extra (read all about it)
Review: Snow White and the Seven Dwarves was the first animated feature film ever. It was made in a time when animater's didn't have any reference point to follow, and before Walt Disney Studios became a money printing factory. If your sick of Disney commercialism please remember this film came out in the thirties when animation was still quite good, and may I say they did a beutiful job.
But you allready know about the movie. You want to hear about the DVD extras. I've been watching this thing for three days and I still haven't seen everything. And listen to this. The audio commentery is by Walt Disney. You read that correctly. Pieces of interveiws and comments he made about the film between it's release and his death have been placed in the apropriate spots and edited together to make a commentery track from beyond the grave, one I never would have thought possible. There is a documentary, hosted by Angela "Lovet's Meat Pies" Landsbury (who also star's in a special feature that teaches us how to use the special features), about the making and history (and prehistory) of the film. The DVD also contain's a classic Disney "Silly Symphony" short, The Goddess Of Spring, and tons of pencil tests, story boards, concept art, deleted songs and ....
Oh yeah, it also has Striesand, If you can tolerate it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Can't Replace it!
Review: This movie is a wonderful classic that is now remade in to a clearer view. You'll love Snow White and those seven little dwarfs. Everyone has got to at least seen a clip of it. When the new version was released, everyone got up and about to buy it. Please, I recommend that you either buy or see this wonderful masterpiece. I heard that their starting to lock up Snow White for another decade. The movie will be very limited.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Additional fun
Review: Awesome! In addition to the original animation, the DVD features items such as songs and games. Very interactive and very ideal for families with young children.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Great movie. bad aspect ratio
Review: I would have given it a 5 if they had included the widescreen version.


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