Sleeping Beauty Blu-ray Review

The 50th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray release of "Sleeping Beauty" has truly set a new standard for the video presentation of classic animated features. With an original aspect ratio of 2.55:1, this release opens the frame to its initial cinematic vision, offering viewers unprecedented detail and a broader view of Eyvind Earle's magnificent landscapes and character frames. This meticulously cleaned and restored version benefits from a 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode, averaging about 35 Mbps, which significantly enhances the visual experience. The restoration process, which took years to complete from the original nitrate negatives, has resulted in a pristine source free of blemishes or dirt, showcasing deep and pure blacks without print fluctuations common in older material.

The effort to preserve and enhance the film's original Technicolor palette is evident, with colors appearing more vibrant and solid than ever before. The detailed clarity brings out the multi-dimensional aspect of the animations, greatly improving shadow delineation and texture visibility in character clothing and background plates. Special attention has been paid to ensure that the dense amount of detail does not compromise the film's aesthetic feel, with every cel of animation shining through vigorously. Sleeping Beauty's multi-plane animation technique further amplifies this effect, providing a rich depth and clarity that makes every scene pop with life.

Despite minor initial print wavering and occasional soft shots likely due to source material rather than transfer issues, the overall video quality is stellar. There are no noticeable encoding errors, edge enhancement, or motion artifacts to detract from the viewing experience. The background detail, especially in the stylized forest and Maleficent's crumbling stone empire, is thoroughly detailed, allowing viewers to appreciate Eyvind Earle's extensive work. This Blu-ray release captures the film's beauty with fluid motion and crisp, clean lines, demonstrating that this restoration honors both the technological advancements in video presentation and Sleeping Beauty's enduring artistic legacy.

The audio presentation of "Sleeping Beauty" on Blu-ray is a remarkable showcase of technical sophistication and auditory enrichment, befitting the timeless charm of this classic Disney tale. Delivered in a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track, the sound engineers have meticulously revisited the original sound recordings, employing state-of-the-art restoration techniques to eliminate any hints of hisses, pops, or artifacts. This has resulted in a clean, smooth sonic experience that impeccably supports the film's enchanting visuals. Notably, the remixed surround track, drawn from newly-discovered 35mm 3-track recordings, exhibits an unparalleled clarity and dynamic range. The use of the rear soundstage is judicious, with discrete effects that pan smoothly between channels, elegantly capturing the ambiance of Briar Rose’s forest and the intensity of the showdown between Phillip and Maleficent.

Dialogue is crystal-clear, anchored at the center but able to move across the soundstage, mimicking the characters' movements with precision. This is especially evident in scenes where voices seem to emanate from every direction, such as Maleficent’s chilling soliloquies. The tonal range is wide and uncompressed, from the low thuds of Maleficent's rod to the high-pitched tinkling of fairy magic dust, demonstrating outstanding fidelity to the source materials. The LFE channel is effectively employed, adding depth to the score and extra weight to pivotal moments without overwhelming the mix.

The score itself is a revelation, with Tchaikovsky's compositions receiving a detailed and expansive treatment that allows each instrument to be heard distinctly. This enriched auditory experience foregrounds the music's contribution to the narrative's emotional weight and thematic development. However, it is regrettable that this Blu-ray edition did not include language tracks in Spanish or French, unlike previous releases. This oversight notwithstanding, the technical excellence of this 7.1 surround sound mix rightfully earns its acclaim, serving as a fitting auditory companion to the film's visual splendor.

The "Sleeping Beauty" Platinum Edition Blu-ray set is a fan's treasure trove, blending a rich assortment of extras across its two discs, leaning more towards a mature audience with its historical and technical insights, while still accommodating younger fans with interactive games and sing-alongs. From the insightful commentary by industry veterans John Lasseter, Andreas Deja, and Leonard Maltin, to the high-definition awe of "Grand Canyon," a short originally released with the film, this collection showcases Disney's commitment to preserving and enhancing its classic tales. Notably, "Picture Perfect: The Making of Sleeping Beauty" offers an in-depth look at the film's production complexities, while "Eyvind Earle: The Man and His Art" and "Four Artists Paint One Tree" pay homage to the iconic art direction and influence. Moreover, unique to this edition is the "Disneyland Sleeping Beauty Walkthrough Attraction," a nostalgic trip through Disney history, alongside "The Peter Tchaikovsky Story" and settings that adjust to the viewer’s time zone. Despite the minimal overlap in content, it's the blend of historical reverence, artistry celebration, and engaging interactivity that sets this edition apart as an essential for Disney collectors and fans alike.

Extras included in this disc:

Original Disneyland Sleeping Beauty Walkthrough Attraction: Take a virtual tour of the original Disneyland attraction with commentary from Disney Imagineers.

History of the Sleeping Beauty Walkthrough Attraction: Discover the background and creation of the famous Disneyland attraction.

Picture Perfect: The Making of Sleeping Beauty: An in-depth making-of documentary with insights from Disney historians and animators.

Eyvind Earle: The Man and His Art: A tribute to the significant art director of Sleeping Beauty.

Sequence 8: A detailed look at one of the film's most costly and intricate sequences.

Alternative Opening: Presents an unused opening scene complete with different music.

Deleted Songs: Explore songs that didn't make it into the final film.

Storyboard Sequences: Introduces storyboard-to-final film comparisons for specific scenes.

Live Action Reference: Shows live-action footage used by animators as a reference for key scenes.

Sleeping Beauty Art Galleries: A comprehensive collection of art related to the film's production.

The Sound of Beauty: Restoring a Classic: Details on the restoration process for the film's Blu-ray release.

Publicity: Trailers from the film's original release and re-releases.

The Peter Tchaikovsky Story: An extended piece on Tchaikovsky's life and how he inspired the music for Sleeping Beauty.

Four Artists Paint One Tree: A featurette showcasing how four different artists interpret the same scene.

Disney's "Sleeping Beauty" has long been celebrated for its artistic ingenuity and technical advancements, rather than for the depth or complexity of its narrative. The film, based loosely on Charles Perrault's "La Belle au Bois Dormant," is a visual feast, benefitting greatly from the meticulous hand-drawn animation that marked Disney’s golden age. Its transition to Blu-ray showcases the painstakingly detailed artistry and vibrant colors that define this classic, making it a spectacle of high definition brilliance. Under the stylistic direction of Eyvind Earle and leveraging Technirama 70mm format, every frame of "Sleeping Beauty" is a testament to the ambitious scope of Disney's vision during the 1950s, a time when television began its ascendancy, challenging cinemas for audience attention. This release not just preserves but enhances the visual grandeur Disney intended, marked by an evocative color palette and a rich, six-track stereophonic sound mix that breathes new life into Tchaikovsky’s iconic score.

While the story of "Sleeping Beauty" may tread familiar fairy tale ground, its real triumphs lie in the memorable moments and character designs it presents, particularly those of its villain, Maleficent. The film balances the lightness of Aurora's tale with the compelling darkness Maleficent brings, creating sequences that linger in memory long after. The initial encounter between Aurora and Prince Phillip, set against a beautifully stylized forest backdrop, and their ensuing love story unfolds with an elegance matched by few. However, it is the climactic battle between Phillip and a dragon-transformed Maleficent that truly showcases Disney's knack for crafting scenes of thrilling intensity, proving that "Sleeping Beauty's" appeal isn't confined to its visuals but extends to the heart-pounding action and high drama it adeptly delivers.

Choosing "Sleeping Beauty" as the first hand-drawn animated feature to be released on Blu-ray was a decision that paid homage to its historical significance and unparalleled aesthetic. Its weaknesses in narrative depth are far outweighed by its strengths in visual and technical artistry, making it a pioneering achievement in animation. The Blu-ray edition not only elevates the viewing experience with its clarity and sound quality but also reaffirms "Sleeping Beauty's" status as a cornerstone of Disney's animated legacy. It represents both a look back at what made classic Disney films magical and a step forward in preserving that magic for new generations.

The Blu-ray release of Disney's "Sleeping Beauty" presents a remarkable leap in the visual and audio presentation of this timeless classic, making it an indispensable addition to the collection of aficionados and completists alike. This release showcases the film in a light never before seen, with a two-dimensional animation that seemingly jumps off the screen, thanks to a meticulously restored video and pristine audio quality that surpasses any prior home cinema experience. Moreover, the extensive additional material provided capitalizes on the latest technological advancements, although with a note of caution as some features pushed the limits of current software players, indicating room for improvement in future releases. This blend of old and new ensures that while some extras are familiar from the 2-disc collector's edition, the wealth of new content offers a fresh perspective on a cherished classic, reaffirming its place in the Disney pantheon.

The significance of "Sleeping Beauty" within the realm of animation is further underscored by the Blu-ray edition, which beautifully illustrates the dedication and resources invested in its creation. This release not only emphasizes animation as a legitimate art form but also sets a high benchmark for subsequent Disney classics transitioning to high definition. By preserving the film's intricate details and enhancing its auditory experience, this edition validates the enduring legacy of hand-drawn animation and its capability to convey cinematic stories with unparalleled depth and emotion.

In conclusion, the Blu-ray release of "Sleeping Beauty" not only revitalizes a pivotal piece of Disney's animated legacy through unparalleled visual and sound enhancements but also enriches the viewer's experience with a trove of supplementary content. Despite some technical hurdles, which present an opportunity for refinement in future releases, this edition emerges as a must-have for serious Disney enthusiasts. It heralds a promising future for the preservation and appreciation of animated masterpieces in the digital age, making it an exemplary start to Disney's Blu-ray reissues.