Disney
responds, November DVD's will be in widescreen
Four
Classic Muppet Films get "Special Edition" DVD treatments
in both widescreen and full frame
By
Greg James
August
25, 2005
Disney
has announced plans to release four of the Muppets' most popular
films in Special Edition DVDs to celebrate Kermit’s 50th anniversary.
"The Muppet Movie", "The Great Muppet Caper",
"The Muppet Christmas Carol", and "Muppet Treasure
Island" will get special all-new releases in November 2005.
The
films will be "completely restored and remastered", and
the discs will feature a great collection of bonus features –
both old and new. Disney also has stated that the films will be
presented in their original theatrical aspect ratios (widescreen),
and also in their modified full frame versions. Unlike
their 2002 releases of "Christmas Carol" and "Treasure
Island", this time they are giving the buyer a choice of aspect
ratio.
Unfortunately
the rights to the other two theatrical films, "The Muppets
Take Manhattan" and "Muppets From Space", are still
tied up with Sony Entertainment and Disney does not have the ability
to re-release those films at this time. Disney also stated that
they plan to continue releasing more parts of the Muppet catalog
on DVD over the coming year (including a season two box set for
"The Muppet Show").
Many
fans were distraught early this week to hear that Disney’s
official press release for the DVDs stated that the films would
be released in the cropped pan-and-scan (full
frame) only. After hearing this upsetting news, many fans responded
in protest to Disney. In
just a few hours insider sources at Disney have confirmed that the
press release was wrong.
It
turns out that the press release had several errors in it –
including the aspect ratio. The DVD will have both aspect ratios
avalible for viewers. Disney admits to the mistake in the press
release and apologizes for any confusion. They also stated there
were some other oversights and mistakes in the press release, and
have sent out a corrected list of features (see below).
The
DVDs are scheduled to be released on November 29, 2005. No Muppet
fan should go without picking up these 4 great films presented in
their original aspect ratio, completely restored, and filled out
with a nice collection of bonus features.
The
Muppet Movie: Special Edition
- "The Muppet Movie" Widescreen (restored and remastered)
- "The Muppet Movie" Full Frame (restored and remastered)
- "Backstage Disney: Behind the Muppet Movie"
- "Pepe Profiles Present -- Kermit: A Frog's Life"
- Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
- English and French language tracks
- ...and much more!
The
Great Muppet Caper: Special Edition
- "The Great Muppet Caper" Widescreen (restored and remastered)
- "The Great Muppet Caper" Full Frame (restored and remastered)
- "Backstage Disney: Behind the Muppet Caper"
- "Pepe Profiles Present -- Miss Piggy: The Diva Who Would
Not Be Denied"
- Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
- English and French language tracks
- ...and much more!
The
Muppet Christmas Carol: Special Edition
- "The Muppet Christmas Carol" Widescreen (restored and
remastered)
- "The Muppet Christmas Carol" Full Frame (restored and
remastered)
- "Backstage Disney: Unwrapping a New Holiday Classic"
- "Pepe Profiles Present -- Gonzo: A Portrait of the Artist
as a Young Weirdo"
- Audio Commentary with director Brian Henson
- "Christmas Around the World"
- "On the Set"- Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
- ...and much more!
Muppet
Treasure Island: Special Edition
- "Muppet Treasure Island" Widescreen (restored and remastered)
- "Muppet Treasure Island" Full Frame (restored and remastered)
- "Backstage Disney: The Tale of the Story Beyond the Tail''
- "Pepe Profiles Present -- Fozzie Bear: A Long Day's Journey
Into Night Clubs"
- "Hidden Treasure" audio commentary with director Brian
Henson
- "Treasure Island Sing-Along"
- Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
- ...and much more!
MORE
MUPPET NEWS
• Muppets
star in Toyota Super Bowl ad campaign
• Music
Video: "All I Need is Love" with CeeLo Green and The Muppets
• Muppets
on The Voice Tuesday November 27
• The
Muppets Take Disney Store Manhattan November 27
• The
Muppet Christmas Carol arrives on Blu-ray November 6
• Kermit
and Miss Piggy on "Best in TV" ABC special September 18
• "Kermit's Party" viral
videos from Bounty Paper Towels
• The
Electric Mayhem on Jimmy Kimmel March 21
• Miss Piggy
and Sharon Osbourne go head-to-head on The Talk
|