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Digital Restoration of Disney Classics

Walt Disney World: Is it enhancing or diminishing the quality ?

From Rob P
Posted November 5, 2009 at 8:15 AM
This is not strictly a Park issue but here goes :

I've recently invested in replacing my VHS versions of the Disney Classic animations with the new digitally restored DVD versions.
( not blu-ray ).

I have to say that the cleaned up versions have left me less than impressed to be honest. Yes the colours have been "enhanced " but something was lacking. It made me get out my VHS of Jungle Book and play it simultaneously with my new DVD. What I discovered was alarming. First of all I was expecting that the widescreen version would be just that. But alas no. What it does is simply trim information from the top and bottom to make it appear widescreen. The temple scene is a prime example where Mowgli is being pulled upwards by a monkey. In the restored DVD version we see only the monkey's arms but in the original VHS version we can see all of the monkey character and, obviously, everything else along that parallel.
The animation too suffers from being too smooth, too clean. In essence it lacks heart.
Further investigations into other films revealed more flaws. One of the most iconic scenes in any animation has to be the one with the seven dwarfs marching across the screen , singing Hi-Ho , and casting their shadows. Brilliant. However the restored version has all but dissolved the shadows in it's efforts to produce clean lines. What have they done ?

Am I alone in thinking that this type of restoration is diminishing rather than enhancing the quality of these favourites ?


Comments in chronological order. Most recent at the bottom. Scroll down to respond.

From Anthony Murphy
Posted November 5, 2009 at 8:19 AM
I think its making them better, but you are right, sometimes some stuff gets cut off. The good news is I think Disney got the hint and is doing better on not doing that in the future. The Jungle Book is also not a very good example since it is not that old vs Cinderella or Snow White. Snow White and Cinderella, in my opinion, looks better than ever.

I would also consider getting Blu Ray in the future. Disney is putting DVD's in there. The Pixar movies are the best in Blu Ray. Wall E has colors not seen on DVD or theaters! Breathtaking.

Great question, but I think its for the better! I will agree the Jungle Book is in the middle.

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