Sleeping Beauty (Special Edition) | 
 enlarge | Directors: Charles A. Nichols, Clyde Geronimi, James Algar, Wilfred Jackson
Actors: Mary Costa, Bill Shirley, Eleanor Audley, Verna Felton, Barbara Luddy
Studio: Walt Disney Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $29.99
Buy Used: $8.99
You Save: $21.00 (70%)
New (31) Used (81) Collectible (11) from $8.99
Rating:  327 reviews
Sales Rank: 7181
Format: Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dvd-video, Special Edition, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), Spanish (Original Language), English (Unknown)
Rating: G (General Audience)
Number Of Items: 2
Running Time: 75
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.3 x 0.6
UPC: 786936213645
EAN: 0786936213645
ASIN: B00005JKHN
Theatrical Release Date: 1959
Release Date: September 9, 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Amazon.com
Disney's 1959 animated effort was the studio's most ambitious to date, a widescreen spectacle boasting a gorgeous waltz-filled score adapting Tchaikovsky. In the 14th century, the malevolent Maleficent (not dissimilar to the wicked Queen in Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs taunts a king that his infant Aurora will fatally prick her finger on a spinning wheel before sundown on her 16th birthday. This, of course, would deny her a happily-ever-after with her true love. Things almost but not quite turn out that way, thanks to the assistance of some bubbly, bumbling fairies named Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather. It's not really all that much about the title character--how interesting can someone in the middle of a long nap be, anyway? Instead, those fairies carry the day, as well as, of course, good Prince Phillip, whose battle with the malevolent Maleficent in the guise of a dragon has been co-opted by any number of animated films since. See it in its original glory here. And Malificent's castle, filled with warthogs and demonic imps in a macabre dance celebrating their evil ways, manages a certain creepy grandeur. --David Kronke On the DVD
Sleeping Beauty was the last and most lavish of Walt Disney's animated fairy tales. He told the artists not to hurry and to give him "a moving illustration": The film required almost four and one-half years and one million finished drawings. Instead of the 19th century storybook illustrations that had influenced the look of Snow White and Pinocchio, the artists adapted the flattened perspective and jewel-like colors of 15th century French illuminated manuscripts. The results remain unmatched for sheer visual opulence. However, Sleeping Beauty suffers from a weak story: the vision of an ageless princess slumbering in a vine-shrouded tower was replaced with elements of Snow White and a boy-meets-girl musical. The evil Maleficent and the three Good Fairies (Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather) dominate the film, rather than Princess Aurora and Prince Philip. Sleeping Beauty was originally released in 70mm, and the Blu-ray edition restores the film to its original splendor. (Many earlier releases trimmed the wide-screen images and/or muted the glowing palatte.) The Bonus DVD looks good on a flat screen monitor, but it pales in comparison to the richness of the Blu-ray. In addition to the commentaries and a making-of documentary, the set includes myriad extras that vary widely in quality. Nostalgia buffs will enjoy the recreation of the old Sleeping Beauty's Castle attraction in Disneyland, and the TV program "Four Artists Paint One Tree" provides a welcome showcase for key talents from the film. But the CG animation of the dragon and the voice imitations of the Good Fairies fail to capture the magic of the originals in the "Dragon Encounter"; the "Maleficent's Challenge Game"--a hi-tech Twenty Questions--sounds only vaguely like the redoubtable sorceress. (Rated G: violence) --Charles Solomon
Stills from Sleeping Beauty (Click for larger image)
Description
Heralded by audiences and critics alike, SLEEPING BEAUTY was the final fairy tale to be produced by Walt Disney himself. Now fully restored with revolutionary digital technology, its dazzling colors, rich backgrounds, and Academy Award(R)-nominated orchestrations shine brighter than ever. When an enchanted kingdom and the most fair princess in the land fall prey to the ultimate mistress of evil, the fate of the empire rests in the hands of three small fairies and a courageous prince's magic kiss. Their quest is fraught with peril as the fellowship must battle the evil witch and a fire-breathing dragon if they are to set the Beauty free. From spectacular action to the breathtaking pageantry of the princess and her kingdom, SLEEPING BEAUTY has something to charm every member of your family.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 322 more reviews...
 For the Spanish viewers out there: NOT THE DUB YOU REMEMBER December 4, 2008
Like many people in Latin America, I grew up watching some great Disney movies. I believe that what really made them such hits with Spanish-speaking audiences (back then) were the great dubs (doblajes) of the time.
I was really excited when Disney started advertising this new special anniversary edition, restored and full of goodies. However, disappointment struck when watching the movie I realized that they had decided to re-dub the whole movie.
Now, one of the reasons this movie was brought back is to show off the potential of a fully animated Disney classic on Blue-ray. Nevertheless, if Disney wanted to advertise tha package as fully restored, they also had to do the so for all non-English tracks (French and Spanish). However, the classic dubs would cost too much money to be restored. Thus, Disney decided to ditch the old and bring in the new. So they just re-recoded everything in 5.1 DEHT and started advertising it as such.
Maybe Disney doesn't understand this, but the old dubs have become inseparable parts of their movies. To me, this is not the same movie that I grew up with and came to love. And hence, the bad grade.
If you don't mind the cheap voice-overs that come in 5,1 DEHT, then this DVD is for you. But if you appreciate good acting, good translations, or just simply want to relieve a really good movie and share it with a new generation of youngsters, then, by all means skip this one.
 condition descibed incorrectly December 3, 2008
Item was described as new, still in original plastic packaging. Item arrived in scratched box - no plastic. Embarrassed to give item as gift!
 sleeping beauty December 3, 2008
it had been awhile sense i saw this film and it was much better then i remember it
happy December 2, 2008
My girls and I love watching Sleeping beauty. I think my oldest loves it a little too much because she wants to watch it every night before her bed time. The video with Emily Osment is beautiful.. I would recommend this DVD...
Now This Is A Restoration! December 2, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
For those who are not aware, there were very few movies (about 30) that were created on 70mm. The contrast and picture quality is stunning. Lawrence of Arabia is one of them. Problem is, VERY vew theaters are capable of playing 70mm and because of so few movies it isn't easy to arrange. But the scope and depth of picture quality outdid anything until digital came into picture.
For Disney to have mastered this from 70mm is stunning and the making of featurette is impressive. Gave me a new perspective on the film.
Worth buying this Christmas!
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