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Cinderella (Special Edition) [1950]
by Cinderella
from Walt Disney Home Video

Features:

• Animated
• Box set
• Full Screen
• PAL

Editorial Review:

Worry not, Disney fans--this special edition DVD of the beloved Cinderella won't turn into a pumpkin at the strike of midnight. One of the most enduring animated films of all time, the Disney-fied adaptation of the gory Brothers Grimm fairy tale became a classic in its own right, thanks to some memorable tunes (including "A Dream Is a Wish Your 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 pure animation--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. --David Kronke, Amazon.com

For another of its classic films, Disney delivers another dazzling DVD with a gorgeous, razor-sharp picture and 5.1 sound. (Note: the 1949 film is properly presented in full-screen format, 1.33 aspect ratio, because widescreen films weren't made until the '50s.) The best part of the supplemental features is the archival material, the absolute highlight of which is two unused songs, "Cinderella's Work Song" (in which Cinderella imagines multiplying herself à la the Sorcerer's Apprentice) and "Dancing on a Cloud."

Because these numbers were never animated, they're accompanied by stylish illustrations from the Disney artists, and they're simply marvelous to look at. The artist of much of that material, Mary Blair, gets her due in a 15-minute featurette, while the better known "Nine Old Men" are the subject of a round-table discussion among some of today's top animators. In addition, a 38-minute documentary covers their contributions to specific characters of Cinderella as well as the film in general and the vocal cast. Also on the historical side is "The Cinderella That Almost Was," tracking the development of the project through decades of original Disney concepts, characters, and songs, including the 1922 silent "Laugh-o-Gram," which is also included in its entirety.

Additional musical material includes three radio programs and a short promo of the movie by Perry Como, in which he summarizes the plot amid some songs by the Fontaine Sisters, star Ilene Woods, and the host himself. Seven other unused songs (17 minutes total) are available in audio-only. The material for kids is on the sparse side, consisting of two music videos, Disney Channel personality Sally (from "Mike's Super Short Show") learning how to become a princess with the help of the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition crew and others, a minor dancing-princess feature, and a DVD-ROM design studio. Oddest extra: ESPN's "top Cinderella stories," including the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team and Joe Namath's New York Jets, although stories on Mia Hamm and tennis's Williams sisters should appeal to the film's primary target audience of young girls. --David Horiuchi, Amazon.com

This version of CINDERELLA is the original Walt Disney animated classic based on Charles Perrault's 17th-century fable about a poor stepdaughter transformed into a vision of beauty and sent to the royal ball by her Fairy Godmother to meet her Prince Charming and live happily ever after. Academy Award Nominations: Best Sound Recording, Best Scoring of a Musical Picture, Best Song (Bibbidy-Bobbidi-Boo).

Customer Reviews:

• Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0

• Remastered Beyond Its Original Brilliance, Bundled with a Mixed Bag of Extras
  I think most people have seen the film and already know whether they like it or not when considering buying this DVD. So I'll talk specifically about this DVD.
  The film has been restored beyond its original brilliance. If you pay close attention, particularly at a still-frame, you will realize that what Disney means by this is that they didn;t really restore it but just went ahead and rapaint every single frame digitally. SO certainly the feel has nothing of the warmth and life of the hand-coloured... more info

• paris hiltons new film
  paris look gr0 in this film. she looks like a cartoon caracter too. amazingcd form paris greatest singer of all time, buy it now.

• Your Dreams Can Come True
  In this Disney-version of the classic tale - mice, birds and a faithful dog all help to make Cinderella's dreams come true.
  Yes, Cinderella's Fairy Godmother does make an appearance but there are many other characters to enjoy as well.
  The story is nicely-paced and the quality of the animation - now that it has been digitally restored is at times breathtaking.
  There are some great songs throughout the film and the dialogue & characterisations are strong enough to keep Mum & Dad... more info

• very magical
  well what can i say its disney!! you know that its good as it has been remasterd it brings this cartoon feature film back to life and there are some really interesting dvd extras that really go in depth on how the feature was made. although cinderella is not completly my cup of tea you gotta love those mice!!! and as it is disney you have got to have it. disney fans it is a must

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