Editorial Review

Disney's adaptation of the beloved fairy tale became a classic in itsown right, thanks to some memorable tunes (including "A Dream Is a WishYour Heart Makes," "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo," and the title song) and some endearingly cute comic relief. We all know the story--the wicked stepmother and stepsisters simply won't have it, this uppity Cinderella thinking she's going to a ball designed to find the handsome prince an appropriate sweetheart, but perseverance, animal buddies, and a well-timed entrance by a fairy godmother make sure things turn out all right. There are a few striking sequences of pureanimation--for example, Cinderella is reflected in bubbles drifting through the air--and the design is rich and evocative throughout. It's a simple story padded here agreeably with comic business, particularly Cinderella's rodent pals (dressed up conspicuously like the dwarf sidekicks of another famous Disney heroine) and their misadventures with a wretched cat named Lucifer. There's also much harrumphing and exposition spouting by the King and the Grand Duke. It's a much simpler and more graceful work than the more frenetically paced animated films of today, which makes it simultaneously quaint and highly gratifying. Read more

Features

• Animated
• Closed-captioned
• Color
• NTSC

Reviews (165)

How do I play The Royal LIfe ?
I love the movie! I just have one problem. I can't seem to be able to play The Royal Life from Disc 2? I put it in my computer and clicked on The Royal Life and it just gives me a summary of what it's about and then tells me to insert the dvd-rom. Does someone know how to do this?

Better than Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Cinderella is the film that saved the Walt Disney Company.
Walt Disney's Best Movie
Disney made its mark as a major studio in 1937 with its first full-length feature film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Ironically, given this early success, Snow White was their only hit movie for the next 13 years. World War II kicked the hell out of Disney's overseas markets. Even movies today regarded as classic Disney - Pinnochio, Bambi, Fantasia - lost money on initial release. Disney eked through by diversifying into training films for the US government, and the South American films that were part of FDR's Good Neighbor policy, etc. - stuff that made back its costs but not much more. By 1948, Disney was in dire financial straits. They had just enough money for one more movie. Walt Disney realized he needed a hit or his studio probably wouldn't survive, and it would have to be what they did best: a full-length animated feature film. Walt said to himself, "What we need is a movie about a girl in trouble. Audiences love that. They loved Snow White." That's what he wanted: a movie like Snow White, but even more so - more comedy, more drama, more magic, more music, more lovable characters. He chose as the basis of his company's Hail Mary pass arguably the most famous fairy tale in the world: Cinderella.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Cartoons & Animation    2. Classics (Silents/Avant Garde)    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

Read more

Features

• Animated
• Closed-captioned
• Color
• Dolby
• HiFi Sound
• Original recording reissued
• Original recording remastered
• Special Edition
• THX
• NTSC

Reviews (114)

A Genuine Disney Classic
Disney's fourteenth animated feature is one of Disney's best animated movies, as well as one of Disney's best movies.Though J. M. Barrie's classic "Wendy and Peter," which was later titled "Peter Pan," inspired this feature rather than being a model for it, the movie stands on its own as a wonderful children's story.
Correction, Please
Just a brief correction of the previous review.Your heart's in the right place, Charles (fellow Atlantan!) and you're absolutely correct to insist that PETER PAN isn't a widescreen film...but KING & I most definitely WAS NOT the first widescreen movie.That honor likely falls to Abel Gance's 1927 masterpiece NAPOLEON.Even in the modern era, Fox had had their Cinemascope process going strong for 3 years by the time KING & I appeared.The first Cinemascope film was THE ROBE, released on September 16, 1953, followed by BENEATH THE 12 MILE REEF the same year and then dozens of others.It IS true that the first widescreen cartoon feature did not appear until 1956: Disney's own LADY AND THE TRAMP, also in Cinemascope.At any rate, buyers can approach this disc with confidence; nothing at all is "cut-off."

Love the Pan
This is in response to the review by Tinkerbell III.How old are you?Because you're review was under Kids Review.But the way you picked apart this movie was so sad.I guess children these days are born without imagination or a sense of humor. Too bad. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Childrens    2. Classics (Silents/Avant Garde)    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

Disney's first animated feature in CinemaScope is now available in widescreen presentations on video, and it is definitely good to get the whole picture. One of the studio's most original and charming movies, the 1955 film tells the story of a rakish, street-smart dog named Tramp, who helps an aristocratic pooch named Lady out of some trouble and then commences a romance with her. Sweet, funny scenes abound, and the combination of innocence and sophistication would have done well in a live-action picture. Peggy Lee cowrote the songs and provides the voice of the Siamese cats in one of the film's best-known musical sequences. This newly restored version spruces up both sonics and visuals, and a letterbox version is available. Read more

Features

• Animated
• Closed-captioned
• Color
• Original recording reissued
• Original recording remastered
• THX
• NTSC

Reviews (98)

Lady and the Tramp....Going into the Vault!
Disney has announced that in January the Lady and the Tramp DVD will be put into the vault!

The Most Romantic of All Disney Films
I fell in love with this movie when I was little, back in 1955 when "Lady and the Tramp" first came to the theaters, and am probably one of the few who can actually remember seeing the promo show, "The Story of Dogs" on the old Disneyworld TV series from the early 50's.I actually had the rare privildge of being taken twice!To this day, it remains my all-time favorite Disney film, favorite dog film, and continues to charm, amuse, and move me to tears.
Romantic Comedy Goes to the Dogs
Lady and the Trap has been an enduring Disney classic for 50 years now and it's amazing how well it holds up after all that time.The hand painted animation is beautiful and the story and music are top notch.This film is an example of Disney animation at its classic best.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Cartoons & Animation    2. Feature Film Family    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

Groundbreaking on several counts, not the least of which was aninnovative use of animation and stereophonic sound, this ambitiousDisney feature has lost nothing to time since its release in 1940.Classical music was interpreted by Disney animators, resulting insurreal fantasy and playful escapism. Leopold Stokowski and thePhiladelphia Orchestra provided the music for eight segments by thecomposers Tchaikovsky, Moussorgsky, Stravinsky, Beethoven, Ponchielli,Bach, Dukas, and Schubert. Not all the sequences were created equally,but a few are simply glorious, such as "Night on Bald Mountain," "TheSorcerer's Apprentice," and "The Nutcracker Suite." The animationranges from subtly delicate to fiercely bold. The screen bursts withcolor and action as creatures transmute and convention is thrust aside.The painstaking detail and saturated hues are unique to this film,unmatched even by more advanced technology. Read more

Features

• Animated
• Closed-captioned
• Color
• NTSC

Reviews (177)

ARTISTRY IN ANIMATION, MUSIC &THE COMPUTER ALL PUT TO FANTASTIC EFFECT
IN A NUTSHELL: LET FANTASIA SPEAK FOR ITSELF & IT SPEAKS MAGICALLY
Not original but still worth having
Yes it is true that Fantasia has been edited, but that is because Disney had to edit something that by today's standards would be socially unacceptable. for the time the movie was made (1942) it would be a different situation. I agree with their decision to edit those parts out, although you can find the scenes on the internet, and they are interesting to watch, but I can agree that they were edited for good reason. and it is true, just because a movie is edited doesn't mean that those parts weren't there, but if you want to own Fantasia on DVD, then this is worth buying. the only difference from the VHS version to note is, the narration has been re-recorded, and though it is not the original narration, it is still good I only noted 1 or 2 differences in the narration from the original. this is the best (socially acceptable) copy of Fantasia you will ever find, those of you who are looking for the original version (ie 1942) you are out of luck, every re-release of this movie since the 1970's has been edited, and unless you want celluloid film you'll just have to get this.

The all-time classic!
Fantasia is the all-time classic animated movie. Where to begin with this one? The animation is incredible, with stunning artwork, effects, and a huge palet of colors. The storytelling is top-notch, with excellent pacing and story development. Using classical music as a storytelling tool is A LOT harder than you may think, and the Disney animators pulled it off brilliantly. Each segment of Fantasia is its own self-contained movie, and each one is a winner. Even the weakest segment (the first one) is still an outstanding example of innovation (jawdropping for the 1940's). Other than the first segment, all stand up perfectly to repeated viewings. Fantasia is an AMAZING movie, which will entertain adults as much as children (a rarity). It is fitting in an ironic way, then, that Fantasia was also Disney's biggest flop when it was released in 1940. Oftentimes truly outstanding works take many years to be be recognized as the masterpieces they are (Wizard Of Oz, Its A Wonderful Life).
Read more

Subjects:  1. Childrens    2. Feature Film Family   

Editorial Review

Imaginatively rendered but slightly chilly, this 1951 Disney adaptation of the Lewis Carroll classic is also appropriately surreal. Alice (voiced by Kathryn Beaumont) has all the anticipated experiences: shrinking and growing, meeting the White Rabbit, having tea with the Mad Hatter, etc. Characterization is very strong, and the Disney team worked hard to bring screen personality to Carroll's eccentric creations. For a Disney film, however, it seems more the self-satisfied sum of its inventiveness than a truly engaging experience. Read more

Features

• Animated
• Closed-captioned
• Color
• HiFi Sound
• Original recording reissued
• NTSC

Reviews (172)

cute
this was a cute family movie like dumbo jungle book and i know its after Walt Disney the aristocats

Best American Animated Film Ever
If you don't own this dvd you need to add it to your collection. In my opinion it is the best american animated film ever released.

Alice in the wonderland

Read more

Subjects:  1. Childrens    2. Feature Film Family    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

Groundbreaking on several counts, not the least of which was aninnovative use of animation and stereophonic sound, this ambitiousDisney feature has lost nothing to time since its release in 1940.Classical music was interpreted by Disney animators, resulting insurreal fantasy and playful escapism. Leopold Stokowski and thePhiladelphia Orchestra provided the music for eight segments by thecomposers Tchaikovsky, Moussorgsky, Stravinsky, Beethoven, Ponchielli,Bach, Dukas, and Schubert. Not all the sequences were created equally,but a few are simply glorious, such as "Night on Bald Mountain," "TheSorcerer's Apprentice," and "The Nutcracker Suite." The animationranges from subtly delicate to fiercely bold. The screen bursts withcolor and action as creatures transmute and convention is thrust aside.The painstaking detail and saturated hues are unique to this film,unmatched even by more advanced technology. Read more

Features

• Animated
• Box set
• Closed-captioned
• Color
• NTSC

Reviews (177)

ARTISTRY IN ANIMATION, MUSIC &THE COMPUTER ALL PUT TO FANTASTIC EFFECT
IN A NUTSHELL: LET FANTASIA SPEAK FOR ITSELF & IT SPEAKS MAGICALLY
Not original but still worth having
Yes it is true that Fantasia has been edited, but that is because Disney had to edit something that by today's standards would be socially unacceptable. for the time the movie was made (1942) it would be a different situation. I agree with their decision to edit those parts out, although you can find the scenes on the internet, and they are interesting to watch, but I can agree that they were edited for good reason. and it is true, just because a movie is edited doesn't mean that those parts weren't there, but if you want to own Fantasia on DVD, then this is worth buying. the only difference from the VHS version to note is, the narration has been re-recorded, and though it is not the original narration, it is still good I only noted 1 or 2 differences in the narration from the original. this is the best (socially acceptable) copy of Fantasia you will ever find, those of you who are looking for the original version (ie 1942) you are out of luck, every re-release of this movie since the 1970's has been edited, and unless you want celluloid film you'll just have to get this.

The all-time classic!
Fantasia is the all-time classic animated movie. Where to begin with this one? The animation is incredible, with stunning artwork, effects, and a huge palet of colors. The storytelling is top-notch, with excellent pacing and story development. Using classical music as a storytelling tool is A LOT harder than you may think, and the Disney animators pulled it off brilliantly. Each segment of Fantasia is its own self-contained movie, and each one is a winner. Even the weakest segment (the first one) is still an outstanding example of innovation (jawdropping for the 1940's). Other than the first segment, all stand up perfectly to repeated viewings. Fantasia is an AMAZING movie, which will entertain adults as much as children (a rarity). It is fitting in an ironic way, then, that Fantasia was also Disney's biggest flop when it was released in 1940. Oftentimes truly outstanding works take many years to be be recognized as the masterpieces they are (Wizard Of Oz, Its A Wonderful Life).
Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Video   

Editorial Review

American history and pioneer mythology blur in this collection ofanimated Disney shorts hosted by James Earl Jones. From Disney's Golden Age comethe marvelous Read more

Features

• Animated
• Closed-captioned
• Color
• NTSC

Reviews (20)

well remembered
This is a wonderful way for children to learn about American historical figures.My 3 year old son was continually entertained by the songs and different animation.It is a must have on our Disney list.

Sparks further conversation and investigation!!
This is a collection of animated Disney shorts hosted by James Earl Jones...Johnny Appleseed is a fanciful, folksy, story-song tale of the real-life planter who seeded the Midwest...The Brave Engineer is a screwball version of "The Ballad of Casey Jones"... Paul Bunyan is a tall tale with the giant lumberjack as a homespun Zeus in flannel and logger boots creating the mountains and valleys of the American West with his big, blue ox, Babe...John Henry is a new take on an old folk tale. Kids of all ages will enjoy this movie which will spark further conversation and investigation.

A Great Way to Introduce Kids to American Tall Tales
Disney's AMERICAN LEGENDS is a compilation of several great legends of America's past, celebrating stories of great men doing great (and not so great) deeds.The selection of stories is interesting, and each has a definitive place in American (and Disney) history.While the stories may be a bit different from what you were told (if you were told them at all, considering most of the heroes are not what one would call politically correct), all in all, it's an enjoyable collection that my family watches about once a month.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Cartoons & Animation    2. Feature Film Family    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

This is another collection of Disney shorts set to music, but this time the formula works. That's predicated on the inherent strength of the individual pieces and almost all of them come through. Surprisingly, two American folk heroes, Johnny Appleseed and Pecos Bill, are the stars of this show, with rousty little tunes, humor, and compelling linear story lines (a rarity in most of these shorts). Even the shorts that are weak in one area, thematically or musically, make up for it in another. There's very little of the Disney animators attempting to be 1940s modern, thank goodness, and there's a sterling quality in the depth of the art work. A definite plus to an animation (or Disney) collection. Read more

Features

• Animated
• Closed-captioned
• Color
• Original recording reissued
• NTSC

Reviews (30)

Roy Would NOT be Happy
we got no further in this DVD than "Pecos Bill", after discovering that they cut out part of the song. yes, it's a DVD called "Melody Time" and they cut out part of a song! I'd like to know the genius at Disney who thought this would be a good idea. needless the say, this item is being returned to Amazon.

Melody Time is good,in parts
Melody Time was made by Walt Disney in a time when he needed to make a movie.He was bogged down in helping the USA with information and propaganda during WWII, so he needed something at the end of the war to help raise funds.So Walt Disney takes a series of shorts that have a musical theme in common (and nothing else)pieces them together and creates a feature length movie made up of short sketches.Very similar to Fantasia with the exception that this movie is not even in the same league as Fantasia.
A great bedtime video
My son is a year and a half and this is his favorite video. It's beautifully done and has soft but catchy music. It's now become a part of bedtime - before my son jumps into bed, he points to the television for me to play this video. We love it so much, I'm on a search for more like it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cartoons & Animation    2. Childrens    3. Feature Film Family    4. Movie   

Editorial Review

Imaginatively rendered but slightly chilly, this 1951 Disney adaptation of the Lewis Carroll classic is also appropriately surreal. Alice (voiced by Kathryn Beaumont) has all the anticipated experiences: shrinking and growing, meeting the White Rabbit, having tea with the Mad Hatter, etc. Characterization is very strong, and the Disney team worked hard to bring screen personality to Carroll's eccentric creations. For a Disney film, however, it seems more the self-satisfied sum of its inventiveness than a truly engaging experience. Read more

Features

• Animated
• Closed-captioned
• Color
• Original recording reissued
• NTSC

Reviews (172)

cute
this was a cute family movie like dumbo jungle book and i know its after Walt Disney the aristocats

Best American Animated Film Ever
If you don't own this dvd you need to add it to your collection. In my opinion it is the best american animated film ever released.

Alice in the wonderland

Read more

Subjects:  1. Cartoons & Animation    2. Children    3. Children's Video    4. Family    5. Feature Film Family    6. Movie   

Editorial Review

Read more

Features

• Animated
• Closed-captioned
• Color
• Original recording reissued
• Original recording remastered
• Special Edition
• NTSC

Reviews (114)

A Genuine Disney Classic
Disney's fourteenth animated feature is one of Disney's best animated movies, as well as one of Disney's best movies.Though J. M. Barrie's classic "Wendy and Peter," which was later titled "Peter Pan," inspired this feature rather than being a model for it, the movie stands on its own as a wonderful children's story.
Correction, Please
Just a brief correction of the previous review.Your heart's in the right place, Charles (fellow Atlantan!) and you're absolutely correct to insist that PETER PAN isn't a widescreen film...but KING & I most definitely WAS NOT the first widescreen movie.That honor likely falls to Abel Gance's 1927 masterpiece NAPOLEON.Even in the modern era, Fox had had their Cinemascope process going strong for 3 years by the time KING & I appeared.The first Cinemascope film was THE ROBE, released on September 16, 1953, followed by BENEATH THE 12 MILE REEF the same year and then dozens of others.It IS true that the first widescreen cartoon feature did not appear until 1956: Disney's own LADY AND THE TRAMP, also in Cinemascope.At any rate, buyers can approach this disc with confidence; nothing at all is "cut-off."

Love the Pan
This is in response to the review by Tinkerbell III.How old are you?Because you're review was under Kids Review.But the way you picked apart this movie was so sad.I guess children these days are born without imagination or a sense of humor. Too bad. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cartoons & Animation    2. Classics (Silents/Avant Garde)    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

Worry not, Disney fans--this special edition DVD of the beloved Read more

Features

• Animated
• Closed-captioned
• Color
• Special Edition
• NTSC

Reviews (165)

How do I play The Royal LIfe ?
I love the movie! I just have one problem. I can't seem to be able to play The Royal Life from Disc 2? I put it in my computer and clicked on The Royal Life and it just gives me a summary of what it's about and then tells me to insert the dvd-rom. Does someone know how to do this?

Better than Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Cinderella is the film that saved the Walt Disney Company.
Walt Disney's Best Movie
Disney made its mark as a major studio in 1937 with its first full-length feature film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Ironically, given this early success, Snow White was their only hit movie for the next 13 years. World War II kicked the hell out of Disney's overseas markets. Even movies today regarded as classic Disney - Pinnochio, Bambi, Fantasia - lost money on initial release. Disney eked through by diversifying into training films for the US government, and the South American films that were part of FDR's Good Neighbor policy, etc. - stuff that made back its costs but not much more. By 1948, Disney was in dire financial straits. They had just enough money for one more movie. Walt Disney realized he needed a hit or his studio probably wouldn't survive, and it would have to be what they did best: a full-length animated feature film. Walt said to himself, "What we need is a movie about a girl in trouble. Audiences love that. They loved Snow White." That's what he wanted: a movie like Snow White, but even more so - more comedy, more drama, more magic, more music, more lovable characters. He chose as the basis of his company's Hail Mary pass arguably the most famous fairy tale in the world: Cinderella.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Children    2. Children's Video    3. Family    4. Feature Film Family   

Editorial Review

The first of two features Walt Disney made at the behest of the OfficeofInter-American Affairs, Read more

Features

• Animated
• Closed-captioned
• Color
• Live
• NTSC

Reviews (22)

Good artistry...that's all you need from this.
Coming from the perspective of an animation student,I found these four shorts to be very entertaining.The old Disney animators were at it again with their sense of portraying brilliant draftsmanship coupled with colors and shapes purely from observation.A timeless trade lost in a capsule of a nostalgia (when patience and human touch were the very fabric of the animation industry).These films, thought not entertianing by contemporary standards, are still one of the best resources for the learning animator.With that said, I don't know what that leaves for the 4 year old.Perhaps, artistic inspiration could be rubbed off than mere children's entertainment and parental escape!!
Not as lively and exciting as The Three Cabelleros.
In this film, we see Disney and his fellow animators travel to Latin America.In this however, you feel as if you are watching the Discovery channel with a little Disney thrown in.The film is whimsical when you come across a Disney cartoon, but all the inbetween bits are lackluster and boring.If maybe you traveled along with Mickey or Goofy it may have been more exciting.Sorry.Good but lacks.

For True Disney Fans
This film was made during the war and Walt didn't have the money to turn out another full length animated film. To appease his fans, he made a film which is basically a trip with him and some of his best animators "South of the Border." The animators where then inspired to make several short animated films, which are all packaged together to make this feature. The back of the box says "Total Running Time: Approc. 75 Minuites." By total running time, the mean with special features. The film is only 45 minuites, and the bonus "South of the Border With Disney" was a television show he did. If you are not a Disney fan, I don't recomend this film to you, because it is not like the other well known animated films you are used to. The picture and sound are not very good. Disney didn't feel the need to tough it up because hardley anyone knew of it's existance. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cartoons & Animation    2. Childrens    3. Feature Film Family    4. Movie   

Editorial Review

This is another collection of Disney shorts set to music, but this time the formula works. That's predicated on the inherent strength of the individual pieces and almost all of them come through. Surprisingly, two American folk heroes, Johnny Appleseed and Pecos Bill, are the stars of this show, with rousty little tunes, humor, and compelling linear story lines (a rarity in most of these shorts). Even the shorts that are weak in one area, thematically or musically, make up for it in another. There's very little of the Disney animators attempting to be 1940s modern, thank goodness, and there's a sterling quality in the depth of the art work. A definite plus to an animation (or Disney) collection. Read more

Features

• Animated
• Closed-captioned
• Color
• Original recording remastered
• Special Edition
• THX
• NTSC

Reviews (30)

Roy Would NOT be Happy
we got no further in this DVD than "Pecos Bill", after discovering that they cut out part of the song. yes, it's a DVD called "Melody Time" and they cut out part of a song! I'd like to know the genius at Disney who thought this would be a good idea. needless the say, this item is being returned to Amazon.

Melody Time is good,in parts
Melody Time was made by Walt Disney in a time when he needed to make a movie.He was bogged down in helping the USA with information and propaganda during WWII, so he needed something at the end of the war to help raise funds.So Walt Disney takes a series of shorts that have a musical theme in common (and nothing else)pieces them together and creates a feature length movie made up of short sketches.Very similar to Fantasia with the exception that this movie is not even in the same league as Fantasia.
A great bedtime video
My son is a year and a half and this is his favorite video. It's beautifully done and has soft but catchy music. It's now become a part of bedtime - before my son jumps into bed, he points to the television for me to play this video. We love it so much, I'm on a search for more like it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cartoons & Animation    2. Feature Film Family    3. Movie