Please see the release calendar for releases from countries outside the US.
For Disney, the animated classic 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' represents many firsts. It was not only the company's first animated feature, but also the first commercially successful animated feature ever released. Today, it achieves another first as the first Blu-ray release in the company's Diamond Series line of animated classics. And while not the first Blu-ray title to be released before the DVD, this is the first substantial lead given to Blu-ray with seven weeks separating it from the DVD release. For some, this might even be your first Blu-ray purchase!
Jealous of her beauty, the Queen dresses her step-daughter, Snow White, in rags and forces her to work as a maid. When her magic mirror decrees that Snow White is now the "fairest one of all", the Queen orders her huntsman to take Snow White out into the woods and kill her. Unable to kill the young princess, the huntsman tells Snow White to run away, where she finds seven dwarfs who agree to let her stay with them. When the Queen finds out Snow White is still alive, and that her huntsman has failed, she devises a plan to get rid of Snow White herself, and once again become the fairest one of all.
As soon as the film starts playing, you will immediately see the amazing work performed by Disney during the restoration of this film. While not the visual treat of later animated features (like 'Sleeping Beauty'), the video shows stunning detail never before seen. Audio also gets the high definition boost, with Adriana Caselotti's (Snow White) high pitch voice piercing your ears as she sings some of the most memorable songs Disney has ever created.
The past two weeks have been highlighted with releases of two classic films – 'The Wizard of Oz' and 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' – that were created before the idea of home entertainment was ever dreamt-up. Blu-ray represents the latest home media format, but the first able to provide the movie theater experience at home. The fact that consumers now have the opportunity to view classic films the way they were initially presented some 70 years ago is something many thought would never be possible. These are not just films, they are history, and their presentation on Blu-ray is something all film fans should cherish.
It's October, so that means Christmas! What? Well, the studios seem to think so anyway, with a number classic Christmas-themed movies being released today on Blu-ray. Fox delivers the 1947 classic 'Miracle on 34th Street' as well as the 1994 remake of the same name, while Warner digs into their animated catalog for three cartoons that receive ample broadcast during the holiday season – 'A Charlie Brown Christmas', 'Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!', and 'Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas'. What puzzles me about the Warner releases is how they can charge feature film prices for what amounts to half-hour broadcasts. I'll be keeping those on my Watch List until they drop a bit lower in price.
Horror fans are being absolutely flooded with Blu-rays today (and over the next couple weeks leading up to Halloween). Sony delivers two modern Hollywood horror classics in 'Mary Shelley's Frankenstein' and 'Wolf' while Lionsgate releases titles from the Ghost House Underground line with 'Offspring', 'Seventh Moon', and 'The Thaw'. Warner releases the highly anticipated Blu-ray release of 'Trick ‘r Treat' while Shout Factory brings Miike fans the disturbing 'Audition'.
Warner also chose this week to release some more catalog titles from their long list of top sellers, including 'Contact', 'Ghost Ship', and 'The Number 23'. Fox gives female Blu-ray fans something to talk about with 'My Life in Ruins'.
I'm guessing that some B&M retailers will hold off on the Christmas titles until late October or early November. I know that I sneer anytime I'm in Target and Costco and have to walk through Christmas to get to Halloween.
The real "War On Christmas" is retail starting it WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too early.
Snow White IS on DVD starting today. Saw it at store. As a matter of fact the exact same deal can cost more:
Snow White in typical DVD case with 'Bonus Blu-ray Copy'- 30 bucks
Snow White in typical Blu-ray case with 'Bonus DVD Copy'- 35 bucks
It's the SAME THING! It just costs 5 more to get it where it sits next to your other Blu-rays. lol
obriensg1: Yes, and it doesn't come with special features on DVD. The official release of the DVD set isn't until mid November. That's the version that DVD only owners will want if they actually want to view extra content.
obriensg1, you have a good attention to detail. I picked up my Book set copy yesterday, but knew of the packaging differences for months. With the way they advertise this movie, not many would notice that from the packaging. GFY.
Charlie Brown completely snuck up on me! I would love to see a compilation of all of the holiday specials put out with the Peanuts gang. There don't seem to be any reviews of this release, so does anyone have any opinion on the PQ/AQ?
