Cinderella (Disney Special Platinum Edition): Amazon.ca: Ilene Woods, James MacDonald, Eleanor Audley, Verna Felton, Rhoda Williams, Luis Van Rooten, Don Barclay, Lucille Bliss, Marion Darlington, Mike Douglas, June Foray, Betty Lou Gerson, Clyde Geronimi, Hamilton Luske, Wilfred Jackson, Bill Peet, Charles Perrault, Erdman Penner, Harry Reeves, Homer Brightman: DVD

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Worry not, Disney fans--this special edition DVD of the beloved Cinderella won't turn into a pumpkin at the stroke of midnight. One of the most enduring animated films of all time, the Disney-fied adaptation of the gory Brothers Grimm fairytale became a classic in its own right, thanks to some memorable tunes (including "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes," "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo," and the title song) and some endearingly cute comic relief.

The famous slipper (click for larger image)

We all know the story--the wicked stepmother and stepsisters simply won't have it, this uppity Cinderella thinking she's going to a ball designed to find the handsome prince an appropriate sweetheart, but perseverance, animal buddies, and a well-timed entrance by a fairy godmother make sure things turn out all right. There are a few striking sequences of pure animation--for example, Cinderella is reflected in bubbles drifting through the air--and the design is rich and evocative throughout. It's a simple story padded here agreeably with comic business, particularly Cinderella's rodent pals (dressed up conspicuously like the dwarf sidekicks of another famous Disney heroine) and their misadventures with a wretched cat named Lucifer. There's also much harrumphing and exposition spouting by the King and the Grand Duke. It's a much simpler and more graceful work than the more frenetically paced animated films of today, which makes it simultaneously quaint and highly gratifying. --David Kronke

DVD Features

For another of its classic films, Disney delivers another dazzling DVD with a gorgeous, razor-sharp picture and 5.1 sound. (Note: The 1949 film is properly presented in full-screen format, 1.33 aspect ratio, because widescreen films weren't made until the '50s.) The best part of the supplemental features is the archival material, the absolute highlight of which is two unused songs, "Cinderella's Work Song" (in which Cinderella imagines multiplying herself à la the Sorcerer's Apprentice) and "Dancing on a Cloud."

Bippity-boppity-boo! (click for larger image)

Because these numbers were never animated, they're accompanied by stylish illustrations from the Disney artists, and they're simply marvelous to look at. The artist of much of that material, Mary Blair, gets her due in a 15-minute featurette, while the better known "Nine Old Men" are the subject of a round-table discussion among some of today's top animators. In addition, a 38-minute documentary covers their contributions to specific characters of Cinderella as well as the film in general and the vocal cast. Also on the historical side is "The Cinderella That Almost Was," tracking the development of the project through decades of original Disney concepts, characters, and songs, including the 1922 silent "Laugh-o-Gram," which is also included in its entirety.

Additional musical material includes three radio programs and a short promo of the movie by Perry Como, in which he summarizes the plot amid some songs by the Fontaine Sisters, star Ilene Woods, and the host himself.

The pumpkin transformed (click for larger image)

Seven other unused songs (17 minutes total) are available in audio only. The material for kids is on the sparse side, consisting of two music videos, Disney Channel personality Sally (from "Mike's Super Short Show") learning how to become a princess with the help of the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition crew and others, a minor dancing-princess feature, and a DVD-ROM design studio. Oddest extra: ESPN's "top Cinderella stories," including the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team and Joe Namath's New York Jets, although stories on Mia Hamm and tennis's Williams sisters should appeal to the film's primary target audience of young girls. --David Horiuchi

Cinderella Throughout the Years

Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (1957 Television Production)
Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (1965)
The Slipper and the Rose (1976)

Faerie Tale Theatre: Cinderella (1982)
Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (1997)
Ever After: A Cinderella Story(1998)

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful

Bad Seller Jan 8 2010

By Lavonne T. Dewitt

Format:DVD

My niece is in love with Cinderella. Being 4 years old she couldn't wait to watch it after receiving it for Christmas. Her Mom opens it up and there is only a bi-lingual book with a bilingual songs cd inside. No DVD of the of Cinderella Movie what's so ever. It absolutely broke their hearts and mine. I would NEVER buy from this seller again.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

One of Disney's Most Beautiful Fairy Tail Classics July 12 2004

By Liz

Format:VHS Tape

While Cinderella is simpler and quieter than many other Disney features, the simplicity only adds to the beauty and magic of the movie. The animation is frequently mesmorizing.
True to form, Disney takes a universally known story, and adds characters full of personality to bring it to life. Disney has always had a talent for developing loathsome villains, and Lady Tremain is among the most evil of them. You can feel that she's bitter through to the core. Many of the supporting characters lend a great deal of humor to the film. Jacques and Gus are both hillarious and charming, and watching their exploits with Lucifer is a riot. The poor Duke's interactions with the King are delightful, and the Fairy Godmother is quite a character.
Cinderella herself is sugary sweet, and while she may not be the ideal role model for young girls in today's world of strong women, she is likeable and she shows us the value of friendship, hope, and faith.
Cinderella includes a nice selection of original songs, including the adorable "Cinderelly", the sweet "So This is Love", and the classic "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes".
This is a great choice for a movie to watch as a family, as it's entertaining for all ages, but it is simple enough and so innocent that your children can watch it by themselves and stay entertained time and time again.

Great start into the princess genera

My 3 year old daughter loves it and has to watch it over and over again.
It does not have very scary characters to frighten her, she just says the stepmother is bad and hides... Read more

Published 15 days ago by DadCanada

Still don't have it!

Waiting to recieve this item that was due alomst a month ago. I wanted this for my daughter's birthday & now am wondering if I will even get it at all. What a disappointment! Read more

Published 2 months ago by K Fay

Cinderella (Disney Special Platinum Edition)

We purchased this DVD because our VHS version wore out, it's our granddaughter's favourite animated Disney film, and a true classic. Read more

Published 7 months ago by Mike the Derb

great service

DVD was received in great condition and well within the delivery time promised. Hand written note on receipt was real nice, good to know a person is on the other end of all our e... Read more

Published 8 months ago by Terri

Absolutely horrrrrrible!

I purchased the item and received a pirated movie. I know the difference between a pirated film and genuine copy--don't let this guy tell you otherwise. Read more

Published 8 months ago by Y N

Okay

The DVD arrived on schedule and the DVD itself played fine. However, it was stated in the description that the DVD was 'like new', which it was not. Read more

Published 11 months ago by KACH22

GOt what I pad for...and my daughter and wife are sooooo happy

Ill keep it short and sweet, I ordered this, got it, and it was great, maybe my only gripe would be some slight damage to packaging and some slight, light scratches on the disc,... Read more

Published 19 months ago by Nexus

A sweet,enchanting masterpiece from Disney

The story of Cinderella is one of my favorites from Charles Perrault, with Sleeping Beauty which was also made into a Disney film in 1959; this film is a sweet, enchanting... Read more

Published on Nov 24 2007 by Frances L. Arsenault

Cinderella (Disney Special Platinum Edition)

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Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (1957 Television Production)	Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (1965)	The Slipper and the Rose (1976)
Faerie Tale Theatre: Cinderella (1982)	Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (1997)	Ever After: A Cinderella Story(1998)