song of the south on dvd?

[twojo21]

has anyone heard anything about song of the south finally being released on dvd? its the 60th anniversary this year & im hoping disney finally releases this classic on dvd. any news?

 

[DizParks]

Highly doubtful. Iger said at the Annual Meeting that there were no plans to release it.

 

[dbm20th]

Here's exactly what Iger said...

we've discussed this a lot. We believe it's actually an opportunity from a financial perspective to put Song of the South out. I screened it fairly recently because I hadn't seen it since I was a child, and I have to tell you after I watched it, even considering the context that it was made, I had some concerns about it because of what it depicted. And thought it's quite possible that people wouldn't consider it in the context that it was made, and there were some... [long pause] depictions that I mentioned earlier in the film that I think would be bothersome to a lot of people. And so, owing to the sensitivity that exists in our culture, balancing it with the desire to, uh, maybe increase our earnings a bit, but never putting that in front of what we thought were our ethics and our integrity, we made the decision not to re-release it. Not a decision that is made forever, I imagine this is gonna continue to come up, but for now we simply don't have plans to bring it back because of the sensitivities that I mentioned. Sorry

 

[2Xited4Disney]

The Song of the South will NEVER escape the Disney Vault

 

[MJMcBride]

The Song of the South will NEVER escape the Disney Vault

Gee, I wonder why.

 

[dzneelvr]

You're extremely lucky to even find a copy to rent. I'm always on the lookout for one as I don't think I ever saw it Unfortunately, it's gone the way of the original theme song from Aladdin where the wording was changed.

 

[OhioTony]

We purchased a copy from a Japanese company on the internet. It is available in other countries in English.

 

[Bstanley]

Be aware that if you purchase a DVD produced for sale in another 'Region' you will need to own a DVD player that can play it - most DVD players are keyed to only play DVDs for the region in which they are sold.

The US is in Region 1.

Additionally - there are different video standards around the world - so even if you own an 'unlocked' DVD player (one that will play DVDs from any region - you will need to buy a DVD compatible with your TV (in the US - NTSC).

Japan uses NTSC, but they are in Region 2. There is a 'Japanese' Song of the South DVD available in English - just make sure you have an unlocked player.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

It can also be bought on eBay.

 

[barreloflaughs]

Oh, it has escaped the vault. It can be downloaded from any number of internet...um...specialty sites. I mean, if you really, really must see it that is one way to go.

barrel

 

[pezheadmeg]

Am I the only one that finds it hilarious that Disney bases one of its most popular attractions on a movie it won't release. Yes the movie is not politically correct by today's standards but then neither is Gone with the Wind and that's still shown. If it is released it would make for a great discussion.

 

[carolina_yankee]

I think Disney is missing a tremendous opportunity in not re-releasing Song of the South this year. There were several stories a few months back on NPR about this. The interesting thing was that white 'experts' said the time wasn't right and African-Americna civil rights leaders and black-studies professors were lobbying for its release, with commentary to go along with it. Some of them even commented that they liked the movie when they were children and didn't believe it deserved to be banished. They felt it would be a great conversation starter about the post-Civil War social realities, the time in which the movie was released and today.

It is possible to release the movie, let it stand on its own, and then have special features that discuss it without being charged with racial insensitivity. Disney just doesn't have the courage to do it. Of course, that's not necessarily their mission, but it's someting they could do with no harm to their image if they really wanted to.

Dirk

 

[Demosthenes]

I don't get it. I own a laser disc to DVD transfer of this movie, and I recently watched it. First of all, it isn't very good (and I love classic Disney movies). Secondly, what is the big deal? I guess some of this is politically incorrect (I guess), but a lot of movies are (the previously mentioned Gone With The Wind is a good example). Why not release it if people are really clamoring for it?

 

[EEYOREMAMA]

I totally do not get the mindset behind not releasing this movie. I had never seen it and a friend sent us a copy. I am sure we are now in possession of a bootlegged item, but they can only come and try to take it away. I will never surrender it. What a beautiful and wonderful movie. My 2 sons (12 & 14) finally understand Splash Mt. They loved the entire movie and we have made it a new family night must-see night.

There is nothing that can be viewed as negatively racial. Uncle Remus is a wise, kind, loving man -- who could be any race and anyone's friend (if you're lucky enough). He is the heart and soul of this film and portrayed in the most uplifting of ways. He is the light of the film and I don't see any bigotry or harm in that. There have been far worse films that have portrayed blacks unfavorably and those are not banned. I am truly at a loss over this one.

 

[mystic_path]

They were selling the Song of the South movie all over the place. In movie rental places, target, etc. I bought one actually to see what the fuss was about.

 

[pezheadmeg]

Forget about prescription drugs . . . we should all go the Target's in Canada to get our copies. Mystic, do you want to start a mail order business for all of us?

 

[mitros]

Am I the only one that finds it hilarious that Disney bases one of its most popular attractions on a movie it won't release. Yes the movie is not politically correct by today's standards but then neither is Gone with the Wind and that's still shown. If it is released it would make for a great discussion.

Sheesh! Don't get me started on political correctness!

 

[EUROPACL]

Am I the only one that finds it hilarious that Disney bases one of its most popular attractions on a movie it won't release. Yes the movie is not politically correct by today's standards but then neither is Gone with the Wind and that's still shown. If it is released it would make for a great discussion.

Ground breaking for Splash Mountina started in 1987 the last release for Songs of the South was in 1986. Even the other versions (Other parks) were all built by 1992. The idea for Splash Mountain was originally conceived by Imagineer Tony Baxter in 1983. Maybe I'm wrong but I doubt the thought was to build an attraction based on a Movie that was never going to see the light of day again.

 

[Stitch#1]

Forget about prescription drugs . . . we should all go the Target's in Canada to get our copies. Mystic, do you want to start a mail order business for all of us?

I'm with you!
I was lucky enough to get a copy a few years ago from ebay. It was a european PAL format version but luckily I knew someone who was able to convert it to VHS for me. It was a Birthday Present for my Dad because it is one of his favorite childhood movies.

 

[dpic]

The movie has some good points, but if not for the ride most peole would not talk about it. I saw it last year. PC aside, Unlce Remus is positioned as a larger than life character--kind of like a Mary Poppins. At one point he is treated like dirt by his owner because he was a slave. I agree with Iger. In this country, at this time, there are better ways for Disney to make a buck.