Sleeping Beauty 50th Anniversary DVD

Released: Thursday, January 29, 1959

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This two disc set commemorates the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney's 16th full length animated feature film. Learning from the studio saving successes of his earlier heroines (Snow White, 1937, and Cinderella, 1950) Princess Aurora was born. Our story follows her life of riches, to rags, to riches. Well, not rags exactly, but she does spend the first 16 years of her life away from the castle as Briar Rose - kept unaware of her royal ties as she is raised by Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather - fairies disguised as motherly matrons. All of this is necessary when evil Queen Maleficent places a spell on the infant princess, promising that she will die from the prick of a spinning wheel needle by the age of sixteen..Hiding the Princess away in a forest cottage, and destroying all of the spinning wheels in the kingdom are unfortunately no match for Maleficent, and a hastily created spinning wheel almost does the dirty trick. Thanks to Marryweathers magic wand, Aurora does not die, but lies instead in a deep sleep. Only with a Princely kiss will she awaken. This, of course, is a Disney film, and there will be a happily-ever-after.

Originally released in 1959, the story work on this feature began as early as 1951, but any other activity  on this animated feature was pushed to the back burner as a new concept began to take most of the company's attention – a project you may have heard of - goes by the name Disneyland. As the late 50s approached, the 'Princess Project' began to again take flight. With the story work nearly completed, Walt began to search for an artistic focus for the film. He knew that the creative talents of his animation artisans had yet to reach full potential, and so decided that this film would be the vehicle where he could flex some fine art muscle. Enter Eyvind Earle, artist extraordinaire, and master of the layout look and feel for the film. Think Mary Blair goes Gothic, and more extensive use of the multi-plane camera than I have seen in any other film. Where the story line lacks depth, the artistic accomplishments of Directors Les Clark, Eric Larson, Wolfgang Reitherman, Eyvind Earle, and all of Walt's remaining 'Nine Old Men more that compensate. The digital restoration is stunning, and I found myself mesmerized by the background art, while the story passed by unnoticed. High def, say hello to fine art. All of the arrow keys on my remote had quite a workout.

The enhanced orchestral soundtrack provides a nice room filling 5.1 sound, but it is the signature song “Once Upon A Dream” and its many refrains throughout the film that justify your home theater surround sound purchase. Not just enhanced, its DEHT (Disney Enhanced Home Theater). An amazing sound from a 50 year old stereo soundtrack.

Disc One of the set includes the enhanced original film, and an all new music video based on the signature song as performed by Emily Osment of Hannah Montana fame. More interesting is the Academy Award winning short live action film “Grand Canyon” - created from Disneys 'True Life Adventure' series, and  included with the Sleeping Beauty original release in an effort to provide theaters with additional running time for the 75 minute film.

Disc Two features two interesting games, a great 'Making of Sleeping Beauty' segment running over 43 minutes, and four deleted songs. Two interesting additions I really enjoyed were the Eyvind Earle short biography, and a very curious Disneyland Castle Sleeping Beauty Attraction Walkthrough. This attraction has been closed for many years, but has been digitally created here, and includes audio commentary by Tony Baxter.

After a full viewing, you cannot help but develop an appreciation for Walt Disney and the true masters of this art called animation. Because of this, Sleeping Beauty 50th Anniversary Platinum Edition is a must have for any serious DVD collection.

This film is converted from its original 2.55:1 widescreen aspect ratio to the 2.35:1 widescreen standard.

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-- Backlot Bob

Sleeping Beauty 50th Anniversary DVD Video Clips

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Sleeping Beauty Trailer


Emily Osment’s Once Upon a Dream Music Video (Bonus)