DAPs Magic Disney News – by Mr. DAPs
“All of this has happened before and all of it will happen again.” Thus begins Peter Pan, the classic Disney film about the boy who never grew up. Based on the original story by J.M. Barrie, the Walt Disney version of Peter Pan tells the story of how Peter Pan whisked Wendy, John, and Michael away for adventures against Captain Hook, with aborigines, and even a few mermaids thrown in. This is a musical and magical story about what can happen by thinking a happy thought!
This is a review of Peter Pan Diamond Edition that will be released on February 5, 2013.
Picture and Sound:
The picture and sound on the Peter Pan Diamond Edition were quite fun to watch. Obviously, the aspect ratio was different than now when Peter Pan was originally created and released. Not a problem though, it looks great in the old 1:33:1 aspect ratio. The restoration team at Disney did a fantastic job with colors, getting rid of grain, and contrast that simply looks good. It was enjoyable to watch. The sound was better than its ever been before. As Tinker Bell flew around my living room, I had this realization at how good of a job really was done on the sound. The mono version (original release) of this film… not quite as exciting. Honestly though, unless you just want the historical experience I don’t know why you would want to watch it in mono anyway!
Bonus Features:
Bonus features on a “Diamond Edition” blu-ray release by Disney always have at least ONE treat in them. The Peter Pan Diamond Edition was certainly no exception. The highlight of the bonus features was easily a feature entitled Growing Up With Nine Old Men. In this feature, Ted Thomas revisits children of Walt Disney’s famed “nine old men” and talks about their childhood. This bonus feature is charming and I would buy Peter Pan Diamond Edition just for this.
Here are the other bonus features included with Peter Pan Diamond Edition:
- Introduction by Diane Disney-Miller – Walt Disney’s daughter introduces the film from the Walt Disney Family Museum and shares about her father’s connection to the story.
- Audio Commentary – This is a previously released bonus feature hosted by Roy Disney. This has some high points and low points in it with different animators and voice actors.
- Growing Up With Nine Old Men – Ted Thomas interviews the children of the “Nine Old Men” and they share about their fathers.
- Deleted Songs and Deleted Scenes – Two songs and two scenes that were deleted from Peter Pan: “The Journey Home,” “Alternate Arrival,” “Never Smile at a Crocodile” and “The Boatswain Song.”
- Classic DVD Bonus Features – Backstage Disney – Five behind the scenes look at the making of Peter Pan. These had been previously released before.
- Classic DVD Bonus Features – Music & More – “Disney Song Selection,” “Deleted Song: The Pirate Song,” “Never Land: The Lost Song,” “Music Video: Never Land, performed by Paige O’Hara” and “Music Video: The Second Star to the Right, performed by T-Squad.”
- Disney Intermission – A fun extra that can be reached by pausing the movie. This leads to special pirate training and pirate tips.
- Peter Pan Sing-Along – A bonus feature that adds subtitles to the songs.
- DisneyView Side Bars – A feature that fills the black bars at the side of the movie with the artwork of Disney artist Cristy Maltese.
Final Thoughts:
Peter Pan Diamond Edition is a welcome addition to anyone’s Disney library. It looks beautiful. It sounds beautiful. And most importantly, it is a beautiful and charming story. Peter Pan is one of THE Disney classics that is a must have. Add Growing Up With Nine Old Men to the mix and this is the edition that you want to buy. Yes, there are a few things that you might want to talk to your kids about that clearly show how times have changed (smoking, aborigines etc.), but that doesn’t detract from the fact that this is one of the greatest Disney films of all time. It is a timeless story that was a joy to review. A hearty hat tip to this one!
