By Steven Suskin
01 Nov 2009
![]() |
|
*
Few viewers need an introduction to Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs [Disney], the 1937 classic that was Walt's first full-length animated feature and remains one of the finest. (One of the finest from Walt, from his successors at Disney, or from anyone else.) Inspired imagination from the writers, the director, the artists, and the songwriters combined to make a film that remains a treat in numerous ways. Disney gave us a two-disc DVD "Platinum Edition" back in 2001, and it was quite a grand state-of-the-art restoration packed with bonus features. But now we have the three-Disc Blu-ray "Diamond Edition," which takes us about four steps further. Blu-ray capabilities are, of course, an advance over DVD; here, though, the folks at Disney seem to have taken advantage of everything technology offers. I suppose in four or five years someone will come up with something that even further enhances the experience, but it's hard to know what more they can do unless they come up with a method to transport a full-sized movie screen into your living room. Disney's artists, back in 1937, had a full crate-worth of vibrant colors at their disposal; today's technicians have found a way to bring them to the screen for our delight. (They have scanned the 350,000 frames of the original negative, digitally removed dust and scratches, and transformed it into 1080p High Definition, whatever that may mean. And the audio is 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio.) Fans of the film, of course, will need this new Blu-ray edition. But there are more than enough wonders here for non-addicts, even.
There are also bonuses upon bonuses, far too many for me to get through. These include two deleted scenes; storyboards for "Snow White Returns," a proposed sequel; a "making of" piece with Angela Lansbury; and a fascinating look at the Hyperion Studios, Walt's early studio where the film was created back in 1937. (And I mean fascinating, with interviews and tidbits galore.) There are interactive games which seem intriguing, plus various items brought over from the Platinum Edition. Although one notes that this new release features a music video of "Someday My Prince Will Come" starring the Disney Channel's Tiffany Thornton; the 2001 release boasted a rendition of the same tune by Barbra Streisand, which is now just another bonus included in the pack. Hmmm. Continued...


