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Actor
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Outside the Box
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The Jungle Book: Platinum Edition-10/2/07
This has been known for some time, but I thought it deserved a thread here.
Press release, courtesy UltimateDisney.com
Quote:
BURBANK, Calif., March 30, 2007 – On October 2nd, Walt Disney Home Entertainment will celebrate The Jungle Book’s 40th anniversary with the 2-Disc Platinum Edition DVD. In addition to enhanced picture and sound, this jumpin’ jungle Disney classic was the last animated film Walt personally touched.
The Jungle Book 2-Disc Platinum Edition DVD is overflowing with not only memorable characters like the wise panther Bagheera, happy-go-lucky bear Baloo, and the menacing tiger Shere Khan, but amazing special features that both new adventurers and seasoned explorers are sure to enjoy.
The all-new bonus features include a new member of The Jungle Book family, the long lost character created for the original film and discovered for the first time - Rocky, a near-sighted and short tempered, but hilarious rhinoceros.
“The Bare Necessities: The Making of The Jungle Book” featurette takes a look at Walt Disney’s contributions to his animated swan song and also examines how director Woolie Reitherman filled the legend’s shoes when putting the final touches on the production. “Disney’s Kipling” examines Walt’s interpretation of the Rudyard Kipling’s “Mowgli Stories,” and a film commentary from original animators Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston and director Woolie Reitherman is presented alongside commentary from current top animated filmmakers including Brad Bird (“The Incredibles”), Glen Keane (Disney’s “The Little Mermaid), and Andreas Deja (Disney’s “Beauty and The Beast,” and “The Lion King”).
In “Mowgli’s Return to the Jungle”, Bruce Reitherman, the voice of Mowgli and the son of Woolie, shares his memories of making the film and how the experiences influenced his current job as a wildlife filmmaker. The swinging jungle fun continues with an all-new suite of games: “Baloo’s Virtual Swingin’ Jungle Cruise,” and much, much more!
The Jungle Book: Platinum Edition DVD is available only for a limited time, with a suggested retail price of $29.99 in the U.S. ($36.99 in Canada) before making the safari back into the vault.
Embark on a thrilling, adventure-filled journey with the boy, Mowgli as he makes his way to the man-village with Bagheera, the wise panther. Along the way he meets jazzy King Louie, the hypnotic snake Kaa and the lovable, happy-go-lucky bear Baloo, who teaches Mowgli 3The Bare Necessities2 of life and the true meaning of friendship.
Based on Rudyard Kipling’s “Mowgli Stories,” The Jungle Book is the final film Walt Disney produced (his 19th) and will become Disney’s 10th title to be honored with Platinum status. The original cast includes a pair of “Winnie the Pooh” stars: voice of Pooh himself, Sterling Holloway as python Kaa, and Sebastian Cabot speaking for Bagheera the panther. Oscar winner George Sanders (All About Eve) voiced tiger Shere Khan. Bruce Reitherman, son of director Woolie, played Mowgli, with Phil Harris as Baloo the bear.
Bonus Features:
• The Lost Character: Rocky The Rhino
For the first time ever, the near-sighted, short-tempered rhinoceros named Rocky is brought to the screen using original storyboards and original voice recordings by Frank Fontaine.
• The Bare Necessities: The Making of The Jungle Book
A comprehensive look at the last animated film that Walt Disney produced using existing archival footage in addition to new interviews with Richard Sherman, Brad Bird, Glen Keane, Eric Goldberg, James Baxter, Will Fi’nn, Andreas Deja, Burny Mattinson Ted Thomas, Bruce Reitherman, John Culhane, John Canemaker and Neal Gabler—plus a never-before-seen collection of artwork and treatments from the film
• Disney’s Kipling: Walt’s Magic Touch on A Literary Classic
A discarded film treatment from 1963 includes scenes from Kipling’s “Mowgli Stories” and more are used to illustrate Walt’s interpretation of the literary masterpiece
• The Lure of The Jungle Book
Many of today’s biggest names in animation were inspired to pursue their careers after seeing The Jungle Book; this feature examines this phenomenon and features new interviews with Brad Bird,
Andreas Deja, Sergio Pablo, Will Finn and Eric Goldberg.
• Mowgli’s Return to the Jungle
Learn about nature filmmaking and the experience of making The Jungle Book firsthand from Bruce Reitherman, the voice of Mowgli.
• Baloo’s Virtual Swingin’ Jungle Cruise
Join everyone’s favorite bear in this set-top and DVD-ROM game on an adventure through the jungle: enjoy fun activities and musical challenges, but keep an eye out because there’s no telling what’s on the other side of the river bend!
• Audio Commentary
Combines comments from current animators with audio from the original creative team who made the film
• English Learning Feature
• Still Frame Art Gallery
STREET DATE: OCTOBER 2, 2007
Direct prebook: July 24, 2007
Distributor prebook: August 7, 2007
Suggested retail price: $29.99 U.S./$36.99 Canada
Feature run time: 78 min.
Rated: “G.” Bonus materials not rated or subtitled, and subject to change.
Aspect ratio: 1.75:1—The first time ever the film will be presented in its original aspect ratio.
Sound: All-new 5.1 Disney Enhanced Home Theater Mix
Dolby® Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Languages: French, Spanish audio tracks
Close Captioned in English
Fastplay: Disney Fastplay enabled
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This sounds very promising. After a few somewhat disappointing Platinum Editions, it looks like this one is shifting the focus more to the adult collector again. The return of commentaries and the emphasis on documentaries over games and sing-alongs gives me the feeling that this will be a little more like Snow White or Aladdin and a little less like Cinderella and Peter Pan (which has a commentary, but is severely lacking in Platinum-worthy documentary material). Plus, it should have some interesting reflections on Walt's death, as this was the last animated feature he oversaw.
The cover art has apparently changed, but here's the first look:
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This honky grandma be trippin'!
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04-13-2007, 12:13 AM
), and the new widescreen transfer is gorgeous. 
Silly
Linear Mode
