Why no Song??

[churchmouselady]

When I was growing up one of my favorite movies was Disney's Song of the South. I still love the songs and the Uncle Remus stories (as well as Splash Mountain)! I have been trying to find out for years why there is no release date for this movie in any format. At one time it could be purchased from Ebay (though usually with Japanese subtitles) but I have not been able to find anything lately - I'm looking for a DVD version of the movie. What is the real story and why, why, why??? I'd love to hear if anyone knows and if it is the "politically incorrect" answer, is there anything that can be done to change that. Any other Song of the South fans out there???

 

[jimh13432]

because the so called "poticially correct" world we live in has scared the Disney suits to the point that release of this classic movie will not be coming any time soon.

 

[daber]

There have been many discussions on how to present this movie and defuse the politically incorrectness of it, but none really seem to have been given the nod. This has also been brought up in the Q&A at the Shareholders meeting and Iger did a quick two-step and said they may consider releasing it sometime soon. (But I wouldn't hold my breath waiting)

 

[PatMcDuck]

churchmouselady, I sent you a PM on this subject.

 

[tzolkin]

i don't remember any of the specifics of this movie, but there is offensive material in many other disney movies. they are released and watched by children without a second thought. obviously adults understand the context/time when the story was written, but often kids watch these movies without anyone to explain it to them. (how many people do you know that think they should supervise their child while watching disney movies?) sometimes you spend so much time explaining that you just realize there is no way to justify it. the disturbing aspects outweigh the entertainment value. try watching peter pan with your american indian kids and see their little hearts crushed.

 

[kykatt2]

Song of the South .. IS MY FAVORITE MOVIE. We own it. It does have the subtitles on it for the music... but I would not part with it.

I can not for the life of me understand the problem with this movie. If it has to do with "slavery" then why do we still see "Gone with the Wind" ??
It is a precious story.. how a little boy who has seemingingly every thing
( luxury) except his parents are splitting up. He meets a poor little girl and she becomes his friend and her lack does not bother him... Neither does the color of "Uncle Remus's Skin.

It is a shame that this story has been locked up. There are things in our world that should have never happened. We can close our eyes and pretend they did not... but it does not change the fact that they did.

"Song of the South" shows a different time in America's History... and it shows that Race's and those from poverty and those that have wealth.. can live together, and love one another.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Ask the question to the PC Department.
2) it used to be called the PR Department.
3) But, they change so often due to political correctness.

 

[Rora]

I love the Song of the South.. it is considered to be "racist" . Don't expect it to be released anytime soon. For a quick fix, you can check Youtube. They probably have clips or possibly the entire movie there.

 

[mitros]

The state of Florida just apologized for slavery today, joining about a half dozen other states. Need I say any more?

 

[1hero2princesses]

I new I had this. I found it last night the VHS version. I mentioned I liked it about 10 years ago and somehow my husbands uncle found it for me. I haven't watched it since I was I kid. I think this might be the first movie I saw in a theater? I would have to check the release date or re-release dates as it would have been the 70's. Anyway I want to watch it but was not sure if it is appropriate for my kids 4 and 2 based on the "banning" of the movie?

 

[kykatt2]

I new I had this. I found it last night the VHS version. I mentioned I liked it about 10 years ago and somehow my husbands uncle found it for me. I haven't watched it since I was I kid. I think this might be the first movie I saw in a theater? I would have to check the release date or re-release dates as it would have been the 70's. Anyway I want to watch it but was not sure if it is appropriate for my kids 4 and 2 based on the "banning" of the movie?

I do not think so. You can of course whatch it first.. but there is no talking down to anyone. ( You actually get that in "Gone with the wind".. but it's on TV all the time)

There is NOTHING Racistist there. It actually shows poor and Rich Black and White LOVING EACH OTHER. Yes there are "Slaves" ... But that is part of our American History.. like it or not. It happened. Sorry I am that it happened.
It is actually In my opinion a great way of showing that we are just people and $$ nor Skin Color makes no Difference. GOD loves us ALL THE SAME.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

"Song of the South" shows a different time in America's History... and it shows that Race's and those from poverty and those that have wealth.. can live together, and love one another.

The problem is that "Song of the South" really doesn't show the period in which it took place. To some extent, that makes sense because it is not a documentary or docudrama. But if the movie had been made with more historic accuracy, there would be less criticism.

"Song of the South" doesn't make it clear when the story takes place. The often-cited criticism that "Song of the South" shows "an idyllic master-slave relationship" is a valid criticism, because that's how the movie comes across to many people. Even if a viewer figures out that Uncle Remus is not a slave (because he is free to leave the plantation), there are still issues with how plantation life is shown.

There is NOTHING Racistist there. It actually shows poor and Rich Black and White LOVING EACH OTHER. Yes there are "Slaves" ... But that is part of our American History.. like it or not. It happened. Sorry I am that it happened.
It is actually In my opinion a great way of showing that we are just people and $$ nor Skin Color makes no Difference. GOD loves us ALL THE SAME.

There are no slaves in the "Song of the South." The story takes place during Reconstruction, after the Civil War. But the movie never makes this clear, and that's one of the problems.

As far as "showing poor and Rich Black and White LOVING EACH OTHER," I understand the point being made here. The young children play together and get along, without consideration of economic status or skin color. Uncle Remus, although not an educated man, is the wisest, nicest, and most positive adult character in the movie. The gentry class and the poor whites are rather negative characters.

There is no overt racism, but there are "messages" about the relationship between the black characters and the white characters that reasonable people can find objectionable.

People tend to plop Disney DVD and VHS tapes in players and plop their young children in front of the TV to watch them. Perhaps it makes sense that "Song of the South" should not be used in this way.

It seems to me that the Disney Treasures series would be the perfect way to release "Song of the South" on DVD. Add some insightful introductory material and bonus material that allows 21st century viewers to understand the time period in which the story takes place and the time period in which the movie was made. Examine the reasons for criticism. Also examine the artistic achievements and brilliant animation.

Some people find the live action scenes of "Song of the South" quite objectionable, while others see absolutely nothing wrong with them. Perhaps a well-executed DVD could bring people together.

 

[jimmytammy]

This movie has been my all time favorite Disney movie(with The Absent Minded Professor close behind). I saw it twice in the theater as a kid when it was re-released in the early 70s. A lot of your questions have been answered so I can only add that there are things on TV IMO that are far more offensive than this movie by todays standard. But what one finds offensive, others are tolerable of.

Slavery, in any terms, is intolerable. I am a white Southern man. I am proud of my American heritage. I am not proud of America as a whole of being a slave nation at one time in our history. This movie was based on slavery no longer being a part of America, but instead was based post Civil War. Uncle Remus was a black man who told charming tales. I would have loved to have had an Uncle Remus of any color in my life as a kid. His character would appeal to most anyone who needs a friend.

Stereotypes abound on TV, all colors included. I would much rather Uncle Remus be an example of kindness and goodness in the world to my kids than the videos of gangsta rappers we get bombarded with on TV.

I hope someday you get the opportunity to see this movie and make the call for yourself. Hopefully Disney will one day open up and let the world see this charming movie.

 

[TomD]

ebay usually has copies since it was released overseas.

 

[barreloflaughs]

I would much rather Uncle Remus be an example of kindness and goodness in the world to my kids than the videos of gangsta rappers we get bombarded with on TV.

Please tell me those aren't the only two choices!

barrel

 

[mickeymommy3]

Right or wrong I think Disney is afraid of the backlash it would incure by releasing it. You know the groups stating that it is supporting the views of racism, Disney as a whole is in a bad postion. The world as changed so much since the movie was filmed, But some can't just see it as a movie, not a political agenda.

 

[EltonJohn]

I love the Song of the South.. it is considered to be "racist" . Don't expect it to be released anytime soon. For a quick fix, you can check Youtube. They probably have clips or possibly the entire movie there.

I love YouTube.

Though publicaly, Disney will give a different reason, it is because Disney is afraid of offending blacks. *rolleyes*

 

[BTown]

That movie will never see the light of day on an official DVD release. Which is a shame, because it's possibly one of the greatest Disney movies ever made. If you do a little searching, you can find DVD copies all over the net. I own 3 versions, one of which is two discs with some interesting features. You might check out sell dot com or ioffer. Don't pay too much though, because they all come from the same source, and the quality just isn't great no matter who you get it from.

 

[jimmytammy]

Please tell me those aren't the only two choices!

barrel

Lord, I hope not!

 

[poeticdiabetic]

Yeah, Song of the South was racially insensitive. It's just one of those movies that are relics of an older generation that just won't work with how society has evolved. I still cringe a little while riding Splash Mountain, but there's a historical relevance as to how those outside of the African-American heritage saw that culture.

See, the Song of the South was released in 1946. It debuted in Atlanta Georgia, but James Baskett, the actor that played Uncle Remus, couldn't attend because of the Jim Crow laws of that time. Also, even back in 1946, the NAACP thought the film was controversial in the idyllic "Master-Slave" relationship supposedly depicted during the film.

But this film was one of the first films starring a black actor. It was also the very first film that had live action along with animation. And Walt Disney and James Baskett were great friends. Disney even petitioned the Academy to give Mr. Baskett an honorary award for his portrayal of Uncle Remus. Mr. Disney commented that Mr. Baskett acted almost wholly without direction. It was a breakthrough for Disney, and to those writers depicted the "happy-go-lucky" nature that the film had in their depictions as the typical Disney fare, IMO.

But the world has changed a great deal after 1946.