Rumor of Song of the South being released in 2006

[Cameo]

Somewhere I read that Song of the South was going to be released on DVD in 2006. Does anyone have any information on the validity of this info? Thanks!

[OhioTony]

Man I hope this isn't a flammable offence- We found a copy from Japan on the internet. Some of the writing at the beginning is in Japanese but the movie itself is all original. We paid around $40 for a VHS and a DVD copy. I had never seen all of the original and since we love Splash Mountain so much we couldn't resist.
My defense if it is a flammable offense is that from the way I understand it , it is only banned in theUS. So we purchased it elsewhere and I truly believe it is not bootleg.

[daber]

Every year the rumor is that it's coming out next year.
I wouldn't put a wager on this coming true, as much as I'd like to see it come true.

[basketlady322003]

I am so excited that I got to share that wonderful movie with my 10 yr old just this week. My father purchased one on the internet from Great Britain for $30. Was kind of blurry but not bad at all. My son loved it. I hope that it comes available I love the Zippity Doo Dah Day!!!!

[seashoreCM]

Man I hope this isn't a flammable offence- We found a copy from Japan on the internet. Some of the writing at the beginning is in Japanese but the movie itself is all original. We paid around $40 for a VHS and a DVD copy. I had never seen all of the original and since we love Splash Mountain so much we couldn't resist.
My defense if it is a flammable offense is that from the way I understand it , it is only banned in theUS. So we purchased it elsewhere and I truly believe it is not bootleg.
Nothing wrong with buying Song Of The South if you can find it, but currently all DVD's and all U.S. format (NTSC) VHS tapes are bootlegs. Some of the bootlegs are amazingly good while others are terrible and you can't tell until after you bought yours.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

[Kelly Grannell]

I thought there are legit release of SotS in Japan (NTSC), Korea (NTSC) and UK (PAL). Am I wrong?

[disney1990]

I made a posting last week that Song of the South was being released on DVD within the next year.

My DH and I were told this by the CM that lead our Keys to the Kingdom tour. We asked "are you sure". He said he was certain.

I hope he was right!

[Sarangel]

This rumor has been floating around for a couple of months - Jim Hill did an article on it. Personally, I'll believe it when/if I see it. I'm still waiting for the 2 DVD set of Lilo & Stitch to be released...

Sarangel

[Jeff in BigD]

Which do you guys think we'll see first, SotS DVD or a 3rd US Disney Resort? ;)

[Above_the_Rim]

Chances are that they'll release it in some way or the other becuase it'll make them so much money. In the past they've released it to theatres a lot, so there might be a chance that it goes to theatres instead of DVD. The War Times DVD has Disney stuff that would probably be more controversial than Song of the South, so I'm guessing they won't let the controvery stop them from re-releasing Song of the South

[swtnikki]

I hope they release this dvd. I never saw the movie, but I heard wonderful things about it. :)

[Kelly Grannell]

I really hope so too. I only have the Japanese LaserDisc version which have Japanese burn-in subtitles.

[Cameo]

For some reason, I think I read it in the last Disney Magazine that was published. I can't find the magazine now, but I'm certain I read it somewhere (and not on the Internet) and it said it would be released in the fall of 2006. My DS5 sings Laughing Place/Zippity Do Dah medley (word for word) incessantly so maybe I dreamed that I read it. Stupid me - I told him 2006 and now he keeps asking how long until 2006!!!

[moohammy]

This movie will NEVER be released in this country. You can bet on that. I was told by a Disney rep that this film in in the vault- FOREVER.
The backdrop of this film is slaves, plantations, and tar babies. The film is obviously not pro-slavery, for example, Uncle Remus is a slave, but he is also one of Disney's most wonderful, loving characters and he adores the two children in the story.
It's sad that many generations will never see it, but I also agree with Disney's decision not to release it. Many people would be highly offended by this film.

[castlehappy]

I love this movie! I can remember when my Father took me to see this movie at the Fox Theater in Atlanta when I was a little girl. I do have a bootleg copy of this movie, but I would love to have the original. I can not believe Disney will never release this movie again! :sad2: In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with this movie and it is really hard for me to believe that people would be offended :confused3 Gee, wonder how many folks are offended by Gone with the Wind????

[whjoyjr]

This movie will NEVER be released in this country. You can bet on that. I was told by a Disney rep that this film in in the vault- FOREVER.
The backdrop of this film is slaves, plantations, and tar babies. The film is obviously not pro-slavery, for example, Uncle Remus is a slave, but he is also one of Disney's most wonderful, loving characters and he adores the two children in the story.
It's sad that many generations will never see it, but I also agree with Disney's decision not to release it. Many people would be highly offended by this film.

Time for a small fact check: The period the film takes place is AFTER the end of The Civil War, during Reconstruction. Also, from a historical perspective, there is great potential to correctly place the film in the history of the US society.

Also, according to songofthesouth.net: "Song of the South Relisted in Disney's Movie Finder".

Since the film had it's last theatrical release in 1986, the "stigma" and calls of it being "unreleasable" are way off point.

With the change at the top of the Disney company, I am willing to bet that Song of the South will get a DVD release in 2007. I am also willing to bet that an introduction to the film by Leonard Maltin or someone along the lines of Bill Cosby or James Earl Jones will be produced, placing he film in its correct historical position.

Also, if Disney is so fearful of the film, why is there a Splash Moutain at WDW / DL?

ON EDIT: According to snopes: "Perhaps lost in all the controversy over the film is the fact that James Baskett, a Black man, was the very first live actor ever hired by Disney. Allegedly, though, Baskett was unable to attend the film's premiere in Atlanta because no hotel would give him a room."

[Sanka]

This movie will NEVER be released in this country.


It doesn't matter who told you anything. People change their minds. Companies change their minds. Happens all the time. In fact I have changed my mind 3 times on what to write in this post! :P


So while it's unlikely it will come out soon, it not impossible that it will come out.

[Cameo]

Found this on Jim Hill Media site:

http://www.jimhillmedia.com/mb/articles/showarticle.php?ID=1313

[moohammy]

Song of the South will be released when turkeys fly over the moon.

[Kelly Grannell]

Song of the South will be released when turkeys fly over the moon.

or is it "NASA's space shuttle fly over the moon"?... it seems to be more unlikely that way.

[tink,too]

I look forward to seeing this movie on DVD. I recall seeing it on TV and I really enjoyed it!

Most countries have unspeakable things that have happened in the past - including slavery. SOTS may seem dated, but that shows how things were at the time - an honest representation of that era - it does not mean that is how people feel or behave today.

With it being a Disney movie, it may also be a good way of showing children the history of the USA and how things have progressed. Isn't that part of the point? Learning from our mistakes and stopping history repeating itself?

JMHO

[basketlady322003]

tink, too you said that so well - and I think that in this movie, if I am not mistaken slavery was over, Uncle Remus was allowed to pack up and leave. Also, I believe this film showed the love that this wonderful Uncle Remus had for the people that probably previously owned him. I felt like he had respect for these people or they would of not been so upset when the child was hurt after being hit by the bull. ( I am not trying to start a debate, but this is a wonderful movie that my children were fortunate to see. My father purchased a copy from Great Britain, looked and found one for me for $30 and I ordered it).

[Moobooks]

It's really a great movie.

The white folks are a bunch of ignorant tight-****s, emotionally closed off.
The black folks are warm and loving, full of wisdom, and emotionally open.
The white folks are wealthy.
The black folks are poor.
These are all dramatic sterotypes used for dramatic construction.

It's easy to see why black folks feel the movie is demeaning, even though the only person in the film who seems to know how to think clearly and behave decently is a black man (Uncle Remus).

James Baskett, by the way, received a special Oscar for his work in the film.

It'll come out on DVD. It's only a matter of time.

[AlanH]

Apparently this started with a posting on JimHillMedia website.

It was then picked up on the SongoftheSouth website ("net" not "com") and the UltimateDisney website. (I'm not allowed to post links because I do not have the minimum number of posts.)

It's rumored for the Fall of 2006.

[KelleyGirl]

I was also told this on a recent Keys to the Kingdom tour. The CM explained that it will be released in 2006 as a tin classic and won't be marketed towards children.

[Horace Horsecollar]

It's a common, inaccurate perception that Song of South is about slaves on a plantation before the Civil War. In fact, the book and the movie take place during the post-slavery era of Reconstruction. The Snopes website has a good article about why people find Song of the South objectionable anyway. See http://www.snopes.com/disney/films/sots.htm

The reason that the Splash Mountain ride is not objectionable is that Splash Mountain only deals with the clever animated characters and the catchy music of Song of South -- not with the people on the plantation.

Yes, I'd like to see Song of South released as part of the Walt Disney Treasures series, complete with features that discuss both the film's artistic merit and its historical context. It could even be a good lesson about the the era in which the film took place and the era in which the film was made.

[Planecrazy4dis]

I love it when a SOTS thread starts up. I know I posted my humble opinion last year but I just wanted to see these historical photos again. :earseek:

May I pay homage to two outstanding actors. Let us never forget the individuals behind this controversial picture - trail blazers like Hattie McDaniel (Tempy) who was the FIRST African-American to be nominated and win an Academy Award, Ms. McDaniel was honored as Best Supporting Actress of 1939 for her portrayal of Mammy in Gone With The Wind. Unfortunately, Hattie's career was cut short in 1952 due to breast cancer, but her accomplishments will not be forgotten.

http://www.indiana.edu/~bfca/images/hattie.gif

Then came James Baskett (Uncle Remus) . He was the FIRST live actor to be hired by Walt Disney. Mr. Baskett also won a special Academy Award for his performance as Uncle Remus in SOTS, thus becoming the FIRST African-American male actor to be awarded an Academy Award. Sadly, in July 1948, he passed away due to heart problems at age 44, but Mr. Baskett is remembered fondly by the Disney animators for his vitality and enormous talent. As an actor, he was a personal favorite of Walt Disney.

http://songofthesouth.net/movie/images/archive/publicity/capitol.jpg

Despite being criticized for perpetuating a stereotype these two pioneers triumphed over adversity to prove to the world that they were talented actors. If it wasn't for the hard work of Hattie McDaniel and James Baskett, my favorite actor, Denzel Washington, would not be where he is today.

http://www.indiana.edu/~bfca/images/berrywashington.jpg

On a personal note, being bi-cultural myself, one of my favorite parts in SOTS is Johnny's (Bobby Driscoll) and Toby's (Glenn Leedy) friendship. I feel their relationship, along with Uncle Remus, truly sums up what Walt Disney was trying to convey. Their friendship transcended racial barriers - and that is ultimately the lesson I appreciate in SOTS.

[Disneyfrek]

I personally would love to see this movie.

Let's just remember a few things: 1.)This is a free country 2.)If you don't like it, don't watch it. No one is putting a gun to your head to buy it. 3.)If I would like to see it, that's my choice. 4.)Lighten-up!! Don't take everything so seriously.

[seashoreCM]

I thought there are legit release of SotS in Japan (NTSC), Korea (NTSC) and UK (PAL). Am I wrong?

The NTSC Japanese version is a (12 inch) laserdisk. It has English on one sound channel and Japanese on the other, with Japanese subtitles during the musical numbers. Not much is said nowadays about laserdisk players, very few are being manufactured nowdays, you can usually find a secondhand player for under $150. if you live in a large city.

Yes there is the UK PAL version VHS tape, with no subtitles. After you buy it you should be able to find a local video producing company or wedding video company that can copy it to NTSC, the quality is unpredictable.

I don't recall a Korean version but there is an extremely rare Hong Kong NTSC version with no subtitles, also a laserdisk. It has purportedly sold on eBay for over USD $1000., either to extremely fanatic Disney fans or to persons wishing to make high quality bootleg tapes.

Although DVD usually gives a clearer picture than laserdisk let alone VHS tapes, if you are using the yellow jacks to connect your DVD player, the quality you are getting is about the same as laserdisk. Unfortunately some TV sets require that everything be connected using the yellow jacks if one thing (usually the VCR) does not have S-video jacks that give better quality.

[sPaRkLeSpAz]

I hope so! My dad got a copy from ebay, and its the best movie ever. I hope that some other people that have never seen it get to.

[AlanH]

SeashoreCM: I think you are correct about the various versions of Song of the South out there. However, none of them were intended for sale in the US so they are "gray market" at best. Of course, anybody who makes copies from these and sells them is violating copyright laws.

I too feel this movie should be distributed in the US and look forward to the rumored release.

[Kelly Grannell]

I still have my LD player, a Pioneer CLD-604 with S-Video out. I also still have some Disney LDs that are not available on DVD such as "Simply Mad About the Mouse" and "Around the World with Timon and Pumbaa".

$1,000 for an LD is nuts! Oh well, I'll wait for the DVD next year... if it's going to be released at all. Maybe it's going to be released on Blu-ray Disc in Hi Def. IIRC, the movie itself is not that great, so I might as well get the best possible picture quality.

[seashoreCM]

SeashoreCM: I think you are correct about the various versions of Song of the South out there. However, none of them were intended for sale in the US so they are "gray market" at best. .
Information I got is mainly from eBay past auctions.

You don't have to worry about gray market if you are not concerned about warranties not being honored or if warranties are not relevant as is the case for a long out of print laserdisk purchased secondhand.

You are still protected to the extent enforceable by law if importing the article is/was not illegal and the seller failed to deliver the appropriate goods or services for the money paid.

Nothing has been said as to whether a new Disney release might not be edited for content. Because the movie was shot in the 4:3 aspect ratio, being formatted (cropped) to fit your TV screen is not relevant.

I possess the Japanese laserdisk of SotS.

[indigoxtreme]

I truly hope this movie does get released. Although I have been and so have my children to go to the Wren's Nest where the stories were created. It is a wonderful place.

The Wren's Nest
1050 Ralph David Abernathy SW
Atlanta, GA 30310-1812 (404) 753-7735
Directions:
Admission: Adults $7; seniors/children (over 13) $6; children (4-12) $4

Get a dose of Southern history at the home of Joel Chandler Harris.
Editorial Rating: Recommended
A Little History
This charming Victorian cottage is the former home of Joel Chandler Harris. Harris penned the "Uncle Remus" stories, the beloved folk tales that feature Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox and the notorious Tar Baby. Variations of Brer Rabbit are found in the folklore of other countries where slavery existed. Their roots lie in the rich African storytelling tradition.

The House
The Wren's Nest has original Harris family furnishings, books, photographs and memorabilia. It also features a diorama from "Song of the South," Disney's zippity-do-dah version of the tales. Try to take the tour on Saturday, when storytelling sessions are held. You know how the story ends, but you'll love hearing it anyway.

[disneydaveb]

I got mine in eBay for about $15. It's a very good movie and an excellent quality copy.
I watched it with my kids and really don't see anything wrong with it. :confused3
From all the hype surrounding this movie being "banned", I thought I may need to explain some things to my kids during or after the movie.
That wasn't the case. I have seen many other movies set in that time period that I would understand if people were upset, but not this one.