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SLEEPING BEAUTY

With voices by Mary Costa, Eleanor Audley, Bill Shirley, Verna Felton, Barbara Jo Allen, Barbara Luddy

Written by Erdman Penner, Charles Perrault, Joe Rinaldi & Winston Hibler
Directed by Clyde Geronimi

This 50th anniversary platinum DVD release is digitally restored with a cleaned up picture & enhanced surround sound, and for the first time to home video the expanded, un-cropped aspect ratio. This timeless fairytale deals with Princess Aurora who is doomed by a curse to die when pricking her finger on a spinning wheel before her 16th birthday – this curse was laid upon her by the wicked witch Maleficent at the celebration of the newborn princess. To avoid this impending disaster the king destroys all spinning wheels and she is sent away, accompanied by three good (but sometimes idiotic) witches, Fauna, Flora and Merryweather. But, Maleficent tricks her and the prophecy is fulfilled. The good witches however create a loophole which has her, instead of dying, falling into a permanent sleep, unless she is kissed by her true love. But, this true love in the form of Prince Phillip is held captive by Maleficent. Will he escape to save his love and will the wicked witch be thwarted? You know the answer to that one!
With an amazing new look and approach for the time, this Disney offering gave the fairytale an entirely new mood and perspective, from the fun musical moments, detailed castle- and forest sequences, to perilous dragon fighting scenes. And to think it is half a century old!

Additional material on this double disc release provides an alternate opening, deleted songs, a making-of documentary taking a look at the creation of this masterpiece, inspiration, artists and voices behind it all. You also get games: a virtual castle walkthrough and the instructive Enchanted Dance. There is a new Once Upon A Dream music video by Emily Osment (from Hannah Montana), and the DVD packaging can be converted into a pop-up character box.

6 / A
- Paul Blom


1 2 3 4 5 6
A - B - C



6 - Volcanic
5 - Blistering
4 - Hot
3 - Smolder
2 - Room Temp.
1 - Fizzled
0 - Extinguished

A: Multiple Viewing Potential
B: Deserves Another Look
C: Once Should Suffice

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