Best and worst restoration jobs?

[jade]

For me personally, i'd like to see these classic Disney films restored to their first run theatrical glory not neccessarily the way i saw them during a theater run 50+ years later. Agree or disagree?

So that brings me to my main question:

what restorations have you loved and which ones have you hated/disliked? I hear Beauty and the Beast was especially bad, while i've heard that Pinocchio is beautiful?

I had a small Bambi question as well for anyone who knows, i've heard it was restored about 2-3 times and was wondering if the set that came out with the diamond edition went through the same newest restoration? Not the 2002 restoration that came out on the 2005 dvd?

[Sotiris]

I had a small Bambi question as well for anyone who knows, I've heard it was restored about 2-3 times and was wondering if the set that came out with the diamond edition went through the same newest restoration? Not the 2002 restoration that came out on the 2005 DVD?

Of course, what helps in a case like this is when you can bring in animators who actually worked on these films back in the day and then hear their opinions on how the restoration of a particular animated feature has turned out. Case in point: That time back in 2002 when they showed the recently-cleaned-up version of "Bambi" to Disney Legends Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas.

"I've been at Disney for 24 years now. And that particular screening of 'Bambi' was probably the most nerve-wracking moment of my career," Duran-Singer remembered. "When the lights went up, I was just petrified as we all turned around and waited for Frank & Ollie's reaction. And to see them smile and say, 'It's beautiful. It's how we intended it,' was just so satisfying for the whole team."

But based on their research, not to mention conversations with the Disney Legends who actually worked on these films as well as the reference material that they regularly pull from the Animation Research Library, Dave & Sarah are very confident that the restored versions of the movies that their unit at the Studio produces are great representations of what these Disney classics actually looked like when they were originally released to theaters.

"You've gotta remember that - when we were working on restoring 'Bambi' - we had Ollie Johnston, Frank Thomas and Tyrus Wong coming in to look at our work. And these were the artists who originally worked on that film," Bossert said. "So to have those three approve of our restoration effort ... Well, I'd much rather make Frank, Ollie & Tyrus Wong happy than some 'Bambi' fan who vaguely remembers what that movie looked like when they saw it at their local cinema 25 years ago. I can sleep comfortably at night knowing that I made those three guys happy."

Which isn't to say that the efforts of Disney's Preservation & Restoration Team can't ever be improved. Take - for example - this unit's recent decision to revisit the work that they did on "Bambi."

"We restored 'Bambi' back in 2003. And that was the first restoration job that we did by scanning the original successive exposure negative," Duran-Singer stated. "But because the tools that we use have improved and our artists' knowledge have grown so much over the past seven, eight years ... When it came time to produce a Blu-ray version of 'Bambi,' we immediately decided to take another run at restoring this animated feature. Because we know, given everything that we've learned since 2003, that we can do a far better job this time around."

Source: http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_chief ... films.aspx

[jade]

Another on topic question:

I read in that article about a Steamboat Willie restoration that Roy Disney disliked and the group actually added some grain etc. back in the short, what version has been on the dvd releases over the years? Like the treaures set?

[Lazario]

I don't know if this is the place to mention it, but I'd like to see Make Mine Music, Ichabod & Mr. Toad, The Rescuers, and The Three Caballeros look a lot better.

[Christopher_TCUIH]

Yeah what Lazario said ^ along with Saludos Amigos, Fun and Fancy Free, and Hercules! I bought Hercules yesterday (the one my brother "borrowed" from his friend was scratched and unplayable) and it doesn't look vibrant at all. Pinocchio and Snow White have better looking colors than Hercules does!

As far as restorations go, I think one that stands out is for Alice in Wonderland 60th Anniversary Edition. I was on the fence about this one and I still think they made Alice's hair too mustard but all in all it's pretty amazing!

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDCompar ... rland_.htm

ps: thanks again <b>jinkinquackers</b> for showing me this link wherever you are (;

[Prince Edward]

The last Sleeping Beauty release on Blu-ray was magnificent! Stunning picture and colors. I also liked the Blu-ray release of Alice in Wonderland.

While I think it's a much better release than the DVD-release from 2002, the Blu-ray release of Beauty and the Beast is still not perfect. The coloring is a huge improvement from the 2002 DVD and while I do think the colors are lovely on the Blu-ray, they are still not like they were in 1991.

[The_Iceflash]

The last Sleeping Beauty release on Blu-ray was magnificent! Stunning picture and colors. I also liked the Blu-ray release of Alice in Wonderland.

While I think it's a much better release than the DVD-release from 2002, the Blu-ray release of Beauty and the Beast is still not perfect. The coloring is a huge improvement from the 2002 DVD and while I do think the colors are lovely on the Blu-ray, they are still not like they were in 1991.

That's because the colors were wrong in 1991. The creator's confirmed this. Not that I want to beat a dead horse or anything.

Another on topic question:

I read in that article about a Steamboat Willie restoration that Roy Disney disliked and the group actually added some grain etc. back in the short, what version has been on the dvd releases over the years? Like the treaures set?

That's a good question. I always wondered about the restoration job on that. I even found that the two treasure sets that have it on it look different (most notably the framing).

[ajmrowland]

yeah, BATB looks pretty wonderful.

[seanjonmc]

Snow White, Alice in Wonderland, Bambi and Sleeping Beauty looked marvelous on Blu-ray, definitely some of the best restorations ever IMO.

Cinderalla (Platinum, 2005) was pretty awful. I hope Cinderella gets a restoration from scratch for next years Blu-ray release.

[jpanimation]

That's because the colors were wrong in 1991. The creator's confirmed this.

Correct but that doesn't mean they shouldn't release the version that was originally shown in theaters (and on VHS/Laserdisc, the only one available for over a decade that everyone grew up with), in addition to the new altered version that they premiered with the DVD and supposedly "most represents the directors' original vision." Whether the colors matter to you or not, I want the version that Academy Members viewed when they nominated it for Best Picture. That's all I'm going to say about that.

[DisneyJedi]

Cinderalla (Platinum, 2005) was pretty awful. I hope Cinderella gets a restoration from scratch for next years Blu-ray release.

Oh, come on! It couldn't possibly look THAT bad!

Anyways, the Gold Classics Edition of The Black Cauldron seemed just atrocious! But the 25th Anniversary Edition DVD was simply a MAJOR improvement. I could even say the same about The Great Mouse Detective's recent DVD release, compared to the first DVD release.

However, some of the recent non-Platinum/Diamond Disney DVDs (besides Black Cauldron and Great Mouse Detective) that they claimed were "restored" are just.... how do I put this politely without sounding like a jerk...?

Umm... They suck?

Also, any classic animated film Disney's churned out onto Blu-ray looks amazing! I have hopes that The Lion King will have just as good of a restoration.

[The_Iceflash]

That's because the colors were wrong in 1991. The creator's confirmed this.

Correct but that doesn't mean they shouldn't release the version that was originally shown in theaters (and on VHS/Laserdisc, the only one available for over a decade that everyone grew up with), in addition to the new altered version that they premiered with the DVD and supposedly "most represents the directors' original vision." Whether the colors matter to you or not, I want the version that Academy Members viewed when they nominated it for Best Picture. That's all I'm going to say about that.

But going back to the original source material to give us the best transfer and sound possible vs taken from a print. That's like with audio remastering, going back to the original master tapes vs first vinyl pressing for a CD remaster. Going back to the original sources gives the truest and best video and sound quality possible.

The original problem involved a poor transferring of CAPS to film print that altered the colors.

The problem comes down to what we're used to seeing vs the correct colors. If I had a choice for a Blu-ray or DVD of a CAPS Disney film from the film print or directly from CAPS, I'm going to want the one directly from CAPS. The color issue isn't a situation ala George Lucas film editing vs original theatrical version.

Does a remastered CD sound the same if it comes from the master tapes vs sourced from the original vinyl?

Besides, I will never consider the VHS/Laserdisc to be an accurate representation of what the film should look like.

Oh, come on! It couldn't possibly look THAT bad!

It didn't. This was another situation ala Pinocchio, etc where what was used to being seen (old VHSs and from second, third, or fourth generation prints and TV) is assumed to be the correct version.

[quang25thinh]

The most beautiful restoration I've ever seen is Sleeping Beauty [/i]

[jpanimation]

The original problem involved a poor transferring of CAPS to film print that altered the colors.

I'll find you the interview but Don Hahn has said that they were actually changing the colors on the CAPS files to better suit the directors' vision for the film (like how Lucas added a blue tint to the original Star Wars trilogy to make it more fantasy like). It's easy to see which scenes are the result of transferring from digital to film (increased brightness and more defined colors) and which ones were altered entirely (orange tint added to the ballroom scene or Cogsworth going from brown to red). They accidentally used the original CAPS files (sans orange tint) in The Princess and the Frog trailer:



I'm just say saying that I want what is on the original CAPS files - which is what was shown in theaters - in addition to the new color alterations, that's all. With that said, I'm done discussing the colors, I'm just sick of it. Maybe when the next release comes out on whatever format I'll have a renewed interest but as of now, it just feels like a waste of time.

[Marce82]

Hey Ice_flash,

About yr comment about Cinderella. The colors ARE distorted, regardless of what things looked like on video releases. If you look at an original cel of cinderella, you can see the difference in color. You can also find notes made back in 1950 about Cinderella's hair color being titian (light reddish brown).
But that aside, many of the colors have become absurdly bright, almost fluorescent. Cinderella's lips are such a bright pink that they bleed on the screen! And in many instances, the colors are bleeding so much they start to "eat" some of the outlines of the characters.

Also, everything has been brightened up so much, that areas that are meant to be dark, look bright...

As it has been posted on another forum, look at the storyboard to film comparison on the second disc of the Cinderella Dvd. The colors look drastically different.

[quang25thinh]

Yeah, Marce82, I agree with the Cinderella 2005 restoration. But I am really excited to see how the Blu-ray will be, the trailer looks really beautiful

BTW, Lady and The Tramp is good too

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNEk6TRbTEo&hd=1

[Dr Frankenollie]

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[quang25thinh]

The most beautiful restoration I've ever seen is Sleeping Beauty [/i]

Agreed. The Platinum Edition for that was gorgeous.

I've never thought that any of the Disney restorations were inherently bad; I feel that they always do a good job with each digital restoration.

In my ideal world, Disney would restore The Rescuers and The Black Cauldron, but (at least for the latter) we know that's never going to happen.

I want those 2 movies to be restored too! I don't know about The Black Cauldron but The Rescuers is going to be on Blu-ray on March 12, 2013, according to this -> http://www.zonadvd.com/modules.php?name ... &sid=21283

[Dr Frankenollie]

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[Heartless]

In my ideal world, Disney would restore The Rescuers and The Black Cauldron, but (at least for the latter) we know that's never going to happen.

I believe Lowry already restored the Black Cauldron for its 25th Anniversary DVD.. they just didn't release it on Blu-ray. As devastated as I was for the lack of a Bluray on a recently restored film, I have to say the DVD looked incredible.

As for the Rescuers Blu-ray release, it says this under the picture of Evinrude: "Este lanzamiento aún no ha sido anunciado ni confirmado oficialmente por la distribuidora"

This product has been neither announced nor confirmed officially by the distributor. In other words, they made it up lol.