Walt Disney Platinum Editions
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The Platinum Editions are prestigious line of DVDs released by The Walt Disney Company. Originally, the line was comprised of the company's ten best-selling VHS titles and would be released in October of each year. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was the first film to receive this honor in 2001. The three following titles, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, and Aladdin were released into IMAX Theaters during the holiday season before its October DVD release. Due to underperforming box office results, this tradition was terminated after Aladdin. In May 2003, Disney announced that they would be adding the next four best-selling titles to the collection. Starting in 2005, a Platinum Edition was released in October and February/March. Another tradition practiced for these released are gift sets. These gift sets contain supplements such as original animation sketches, a film frame, and a companion's book.
The original plan for the Platinum Editions was that they would be released seven years after they are put in the Disney Vault. Since then, this time has been shortened to five years.
Contents |
[edit] Featured films
The following tentative release schedule of titles is shown here as it appears on the Ultimate Disney website's FAQ page. It is based on speculation, and possible to change at any time. Disney has just recently confirmed that One Hundred and One Dalmatians as the Spring 2008 release, though there has been no definite word on the Fall 2008 Release or any following.
(All images presented below are of public domain.)
| # | Film | Release Date | Collector's Gift Set? | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) | October 9, 2001 | No |  |
| 2 | Beauty and the Beast (1991) | October 8, 2002 | No |  |
| 3 | The Lion King (1994) | October 7, 2003 | Yes |  |
| 4 | Aladdin (1992) | October 5, 2004 | Yes |  |
| 5 | Bambi (1942) | March 1, 2005 | No |  |
| 6 | Cinderella (1950) | October 4, 2005 | Yes |  |
| 7 | Lady and the Tramp (1955) | February 28, 2006 | No |  |
| 8 | The Little Mermaid (1989) | October 3, 2006 | No |  |
| 9 | Peter Pan (1953) | March 6, 2007 | No |  |
| 10 | The Jungle Book (1967) | October 2, 2007 | Unlikely |  |
| 11 | One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) | March 2008 (Confirmed) | Unlikely | |
| 12 | Pinocchio (1940) | TBA - October 2008 (Extremely Likely) | Unknown | |
| 13 | Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) | TBA - March 2009 (Possible) (Blu-Ray, possible DVD re-release) | Unknown | |
| 14 | Sleeping Beauty (1959) | TBA - October 2009 (Possible) | Unknown | |
| 15 | Beauty and the Beast (1991) | TBA - March 2010 (Possible) (Blu-Ray, Possible DVD re-release) | Unknown | |
| 16 | Fantasia (1940) | TBA - October 2010 (Possible) | Unknown |
[edit] Packaging
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was packaged in a double thick keepcase, and to date has been the only Platinum Edition DVD without a slipcase. From Beauty and the Beast to Cinderella, they were packaged in a dual-disc DVD case with a slipcase that had a book-like opening that embellished the special features of the DVD. Lady and the Tramp was a completely new design, with a simple slipcase that did not open, but merely replicated the DVD's cover art. The Little Mermaid used the same design as the previous film, but the characters on the slipcover are embossed. This technique continued with Peter Pan, though in this case the slipcase was also holographic.
[edit] Features
This series of DVDs typically play host to some of the most well-made features Disney has ever assembled. The second disc typically holds the majority of the bonus material, due to the desire to give the film itself a high transfer on the first disc. Most of these have a 'Making of' feature, some of them nearly an hour long, while others, such as The Lion King, have the material split up into short segments. Games are a common find, with varying degrees of difficulty. The Disney Channel "Circle of Stars" have made multiple appearances on these discs, featured in music videos of traditional Disney songs re-recorded with a more "modern" sound. "Inside Walt's Story Meetings" is a very informative look on what went on in the story meetings for a historical film, with dates over fifty years old for when the meeting took place. This is not featured in Platinum Edition DVD's unless the original film was produced by Walt Disney himself. Deleted scenes and storyboards often make an appearance, though publicity items such as trailers are typically not included, to the dismay of some fans. The DVDs had virtual experiences. Snow White contained a walkthrough of the queen's castle, the magic mirror being the guide. Beauty & the Beast had a Break the Magic Spell Adventure game, not knowing if this is an actual walkthrough. The Lion King contained a virtual safari with Timon & Pumbaa
[edit] Why Are They Called the Platinum Editions?
Platinum is generally used to describe a rank above gold- more honorable, more valuable, etc. These DVDs are top of the line presentations of Disney's finest films. These films are the highest ranked in Disney's canon, and are all known as Disney's outstanding classics.
The DVDs themselves are of highest value in the collection of DVDs from the company, and are of highest esteem in most people's mind.
[edit] See also
Disney special editions Full Listing for the UK Special Edition DVDs
