USA Today Confirms "Bambi" DVD

[Dan Porceddu]

USA Today (http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2004-08-26-coming-attractions_x.htm) confirms the release date and some of the features on the upcoming 2-disc edition of "Bambi" on DVD (tentatively set for March 1, 2005):

The Prince of the Forest and his foot-thumping pal are finally coming to DVD. Disney's 1942 classic Bambi, stashed in the studio's vaults for eight years, becomes available March 1 on a special two-DVD edition ($30; VHS, $25).

Digitally restored video and surround sound will transform the tale of the young deer and his long-eared buddy, Thumper, for home viewers, says Disney's Gordon Ho. "It's amazing how much more vivid and clear it looks from the color and clarity standpoint," he says.

And animation buffs will fawn over one of the special features, "Walt's Annotated Bambi," which molds a vocal reading of the studio founder's own notes from the film's development with footage and production drawings. "Viewers will experience, firsthand, the production of Bambi as it is happening through Walt's words," Ho says.

Also included are additional scenes — in various stages of development — and a sneak peek at the upcoming Bambi II: Great Prince of the Forest, a direct-to-DVD feature in the works.

[Kaleido]

and a sneak peek at the upcoming Bambi II: Great Prince of the Forest, a direct-to-DVD feature in the works.Not another low budget sequel made by the television animation division.

Oh well, seeing as how Michael Eisner and much of The Walt Disney Company's board of directors may be looking for new jobs the same month Bambi gets the platinum treatment, maybe Bambi II will go the way of Dumbo II.

[Merrytoon]

maybe Bambi II will go the way of Dumbo II.
We can only hope...
I hope there's more "historical" features too. I actually haven't seen Bambi in 15 years (:shame: ), so the movie itself should be quite interesting for me too.

[guy incognito]

Also included are additional scenes — in various stages of development —
Ugh.

They have absolutely no shame anymore, have they? :mad:

[Vdubdavid]

Well, the phrase "in various stages of development" doesn't sound like they've shoehorned them into the actual feature. Can you imagine the backlash they'd get from everyone?

[ToOn~g@l]

Oh finally they have the dvd coming out. I was hoping they would bring it out on the 60th aniversary. This dvd will be great to have.
But why a sequal, what else is there to tell about. They're loosing money by creating sequals that no one wants and have no real good plot.
Lets hope it does go the way of Dumbo 2.

[Kaleido]

These low budget sequels are very profitable for Disney. They cost little to produce so the majority of the money taken in is profit. (Allegedly, they're one of the reasons why Walt Disney Feature Animation is only a shadow of its former self now.)

The problem is, that while in the short term these movies bring in a lot of cash for Disney, they've damaged the Disney brand.

Which is why everyone should expect an executive shakeup at The Walt Disney Company in March.

[mbaker]

These low budget sequels are very profitable for Disney. They cost little to produce so the majority of the money taken in is profit. (Allegedly, they're one of the reasons why Walt Disney Feature Animation is only a shadow of its former self now.)

The problem is, that while in the short term these movies bring in a lot of cash for Disney, they've damaged the Disney brand.

Which is why everyone should expect an executive shakeup at The Walt Disney Company in March.
It's only a matter of time before the public starts to wake up, and realize that Disney is killing itself with these sequles. People can only take so much crap before they demand quality once again. :ysam:

[ohmahaaha]

Back to topic: Forgetting about Bambi II, the release of this classic to DVD is exciting none-the-less. Bambi is one of the best movies of all time, let alone one of Disney's best. The extras should be awesome. :D

[Dan Porceddu]

Here's a more detailed press release (http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5057). The DVD is also up for pre-order (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=B0002YLCOM/theunofficlooneyA/) on Amazon.com.


-Dan

[song cycle]

Can't wait to get my hands on this one; my favorite animated movie ever made and my second favorite film of all time - it was also said that 'Bambi' was Walt's favorite film as well. Hopefully they can get this restored to look exactly like it did when it came onto screens in '42, it sounds like they have the resources to do it.

Some questions though: Is it just me or does the feature set pale in comparison to Snow White's platinum disc? Looked like it was geared a little more in favor of children than animation fans. Also are they including the mono mix of the original soundtrack, or just the 5.1 and enhanced stereo? As an audiophile I would like to have the completely original soundtrack available - the music in this film is spectacular to say the least and I am looking foward to its restoration just as much as the visuals.

Finally I was kind of hoping for a theatrical re-release, didn't they do this for Snow White? So many people have not seen the movie in so long and obviously there is a generation of kids that have probably never seen it at all. It would be interesting to see the restored version in a movie theater.