Sleeping Beauty (The Walt Disney Signature Collection) [Blu-ray]

Sleeping Beauty" was envisioned by the great Walt Disney as his masterpiece--the feature-length cartoon par excellence. And, in many ways, it is. The then-record budget (six million dollars) was the largest ever for an animated motion picture. The widescreen Technirama 70 process had never been used for an animated feature. The six-track magnetic stereo sound was a step upward from the "Fantasound" system employed in "Fantasia" (1940). Also new and trend-setting was the style of the animation--a more realistic, geometric design which, surprisingly left many critics and audiences cold. The extra expense needed to showcase the widescreen film properly, together with the lukewarm reviews, prevented "Sleeping Beauty" from turning a profit at the box office when it was released (with much fanfare) in 1959. But time has been kind to the film, subsequent reissues have finally put it in the profit margin, and both viewers and critics are appreciating it for the beautiful fantasy it has always been. However, like it's predecessor "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" (1937) which was Disney's first fairy tale, as well as his first full-length film, this screen adaptation of "Sleeping Beauty" strays from it's origins. While the Charles Perrault version of the tale is given as the source, there are new variations.The Disney version of the tale whittles the number of good fairies down to three from the original story’s 7 and giving them the appearance and personalities of elderly women. Meanwhile, the evil fairy, dubbed Maleficent, is a cold, flamboyant villainess who, for better or worse, overshadows everyone else in the film (but then, the villain always does). Disney's retelling also dispenses with the Heroine's 100 year sleep which lasts merely one night. There is much emphasis put on the three fairies who secretly, in the guise of peasants, raise the baby princess Aurora, (whom they dub "Briar Rose" interestingly, the name given the Princess in the Grimm retelling) and, unwittingly make it possible for Maleficent to execute her curse. Also new, is the introduction at the beginning of the film of Prince Phillip, who is immediately betrothed to Aurora. The climatic battle he has with the evil fairy, here transformed into a dragon, has become one of the most memorable parts of the film, though it was purely the scriptwriter's invention. In the end, however, it is best to appreciate the film as a stand-alone creation, rather than a faithful adaptation of a classic story.Indeed, as some latter-day critics have pointed out, "Sleeping Beauty" has been embraced by the young and old audiences who find in it many of the same sword and sorcery elements in films like "Legend" and "Excalibur". And every penny of it's then-unprecedented budget is on the screen. One marvels at the intricate design of the animation, all accomplished well before the advent of computers, which the Technirama screen showcases to full effect. The voice talent is perfect. Mary Costa, who went on to an estimable opera career, is a lovely and expressive Aurora, while Bill Shirley is an ingratiating Prince Phillip. Eleanor Audley (so deliciously cold as the stepmother in Disney's "Cinderella") is the embodiment of majestic evil as Maleficent. Verna Felton (the Fairy Godmother in Disney's "Cinderella"), Barbara Jo Allen and Barbara Luddy are the delightful (and all too human) fairies, Flora, Fauna and Merryweather. Aurora's father, King Stefan, is voiced by Taylor Holmes, with Bill Thompson as Phillip's father King Hubert. A word should also be said for Candy Candido, who provided the sounds made by Maleficent's goons. The Tchaykovsky ballet score provides both the background music and melodies used for the new songs. All this blends perfectly in an epic adventure/fantasy seldom experienced on screen, and one with enough heart to capture the most cynical viewer. A must watch family movie 5⭐️

What a honour to finally have my mum's all time favourite Disney classic and the bonus features were perfect. This DVD is the best possible celebration of the anniversary of such a timeless gem!

A must dvd for those people who collect Disney Classics. I saw this movie years ago and loved it. I originally purchased it on VHS for my children, but I missed purchasing this as a dvd when it appeared in the local supermarket, and like some Disney films they are only available for a short period of time. Thank goodness for Amazon. I was able to purchase a copy without any difficulty. This film is a timeless classic, the music is great and can be enjoyed by both young and old alike.

A fantastic Disney animation a movie that I feel lucky to own thought i'd almost missed it since it has been put back in Disney's Vault if there are any copies left brand new at this price I'd urge any Disney fan to consider purchasing cause I don't know when Disney are releasing this Blu-ray next if at all. Altough most Disney movies are available all the time some Disney movies are only available for a limited amount of time. note this movie is the 2009 Blu-ray 50th anniversary copy and its no longer available in shops.

Wonderful! Excellent classic film ever!! I do love Angie's MALEFICENT so that I wanted see the original animated movie which inspired them a lot and made them to create totally different story line featuring brilliant actoress/actors. It was so difficult to find English subtited version in Japan, It's all subtitled in Japanese which I am not fond of at all! Finally, I could get it at reasonable price together with another English film which never been shown inJapan yet. I really enjoy them! Thank you.

I loved it brought back many happy memories.

I enjoyed the film remembering the story as a child. Lots of light heating bits.

This is a well made restoration of the original Sleeping Beauty. My boyfriend and I collect Disney-movies and this one wasn't out in Belgium yet so I bought it online. It comes in a really lovely case like you see on the picture, but even more beautiful. My boyfriend was very pleased with this present. I definitely recommend this to any other Disney fan.

Je voulais le CV 100 ansMais j’ai eu la collection signature

Llegó en tiempo, empaque bien cuidado y en excelentes condiciones. Perfecto para la colección.

Classico intramontabile in una versione rimasterizzata e dotata di diversi plus...Per appassionati e non, certamente da avere nella propria videoteca personale

Contenta con el resultado

Great like watching it all the time