- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,374
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
The "keepers of the frames" at Disney have been doing it correctly.
For their most recent DVD releases of the acknowledged Disney feature length animated classics, they've been returning to the original camera and audio elements and re-working these great films from the foundation up.
With the new release of one of their most popular classics, the 1955 Lady and the Tramp, they've again raised the technological bar.
The task of scanning, cleaning and processing the original CinemaScope sequential camera negatives has gone, once again, to DTS Digital Images (previously known as Lowry or LDI). This decision must not have come lightly. For in doing so, one of the most established of the Hollywood entities has handed off the flame of wizardry to the new kid on the block, and with astounding results.
Let me be brief and to the point.
Lady and the Tramp is finest looking incarnation of a classic animated film to date. The beauty of Bambi, and what had been learned in that excercise, has been taken many steps further, to something that I can only refer to as visual perfection.
DTS Digital Images didn't do this alone. The technical staff at Disney went through a lengthy process of research -- literally returning to the original painted cells as reference -- which has given the new incarnation just the right amount of color and density.
To top this off is the all new 5.1 mix.
While all of the original elements have now returned to the vaults until the next time they're needed, the home theater audience is the ultimate beneficiary of this new DVD with a high "wow" factor. Like the past few Disney classic DVD releases, this is not a "restored" version which would exhibit both the beauty as well as the imperfections of the animator's art.
This is the beauty without the imperfection. A new edition for yet another new generation.
While Disney need not be concerned about their sales of this title, I'm pleased to be able to report that the final result of their efforts once again gets an A+ in all departments.
Lady and the Tramp could not be recommended more highly.
Whilst I don't wish to sound as if I'm having a "Simon Cowell moment," if I'm going to be totally honest...
I still have one problem, not with the transfer or contents, but with the packaging. Disney Home Video is still not giving viewers an indication of the date, or era of production on their DVD packaging. In this case it leads to error.
This is purportedly a "50th Anniversary Edition."
But the reverse of the packaging clearly states "2006 DVD Release."
If any of this were correct, which it is not, it would make Lady and the Tramp, which according to IMDB, was premiered in Chicago on June 16, 1955... a 1956 production.
Would it not be so much easier to simply offer the date of theatrical release, if for no other reason than to allow the young to better understand the chronology of this great company's animated heritage?
RAH
For their most recent DVD releases of the acknowledged Disney feature length animated classics, they've been returning to the original camera and audio elements and re-working these great films from the foundation up.
With the new release of one of their most popular classics, the 1955 Lady and the Tramp, they've again raised the technological bar.
The task of scanning, cleaning and processing the original CinemaScope sequential camera negatives has gone, once again, to DTS Digital Images (previously known as Lowry or LDI). This decision must not have come lightly. For in doing so, one of the most established of the Hollywood entities has handed off the flame of wizardry to the new kid on the block, and with astounding results.
Let me be brief and to the point.
Lady and the Tramp is finest looking incarnation of a classic animated film to date. The beauty of Bambi, and what had been learned in that excercise, has been taken many steps further, to something that I can only refer to as visual perfection.
DTS Digital Images didn't do this alone. The technical staff at Disney went through a lengthy process of research -- literally returning to the original painted cells as reference -- which has given the new incarnation just the right amount of color and density.
To top this off is the all new 5.1 mix.
While all of the original elements have now returned to the vaults until the next time they're needed, the home theater audience is the ultimate beneficiary of this new DVD with a high "wow" factor. Like the past few Disney classic DVD releases, this is not a "restored" version which would exhibit both the beauty as well as the imperfections of the animator's art.
This is the beauty without the imperfection. A new edition for yet another new generation.
While Disney need not be concerned about their sales of this title, I'm pleased to be able to report that the final result of their efforts once again gets an A+ in all departments.
Lady and the Tramp could not be recommended more highly.
Whilst I don't wish to sound as if I'm having a "Simon Cowell moment," if I'm going to be totally honest...
I still have one problem, not with the transfer or contents, but with the packaging. Disney Home Video is still not giving viewers an indication of the date, or era of production on their DVD packaging. In this case it leads to error.
This is purportedly a "50th Anniversary Edition."
But the reverse of the packaging clearly states "2006 DVD Release."
If any of this were correct, which it is not, it would make Lady and the Tramp, which according to IMDB, was premiered in Chicago on June 16, 1955... a 1956 production.
Would it not be so much easier to simply offer the date of theatrical release, if for no other reason than to allow the young to better understand the chronology of this great company's animated heritage?
RAH
