Dumbo (1941) 70th Anniversary Edition

Walt Disney Productions
Theatrical Release: October 23, 1941
70^th Anniversary Release: September 20, 2011
Director: Ben Sharpsteen
Rated G

Review by Rob Grabowski

Dumbo Blu-ray Audio and Video Quality.

Seeing any Disney movie in the Blu-ray format is always a treat and truly is eye candy and Dumbo is no different. The vibrant colors and sharp images are certainly what makes the investment into a home theater worth the money and effort. Hearing Dumbo in the DTS-HD High Resolution 7.1 channel surround mix has an aural nuance that envelops the listener with a strong front mix and the 4 rear speakers fill in the sound from all areas of the room adding dimension. The subwoofer gets a rest from the usual action movie rumble but definitely keeps the deep tone in check with the rest of the mix as in the scenes with a thunderstorm. The musical score is certainly what compliments the beautiful visuals and storyline.

Dumbo is being offered in the Blu-ray format and not only has an amazing remastered 1080p picture and a DTS-HD High Resolution 7.1 channel surround mix but the bonus features offered only on the Blu-ray version certainly makes the Blu-ray version the only choice. I also highly recommend watching in Disney View which allows the viewer to see colored art panels fill the black bars on the sides of the screen due to the film’s original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.33:1.

Review by Adam Bielawski

If you love Disney movies, Dumbo is another Disney Classic and should be included in your collection.  This would be the time to buy… the new Blu-ray/DVD combo was released on September 20^th.  This is a wonderful Disney animation… so if you don't own Dumbo what a perfect time to run out and purchase Dumbo 70^th Anniversary Edition.  For you sound buffs the 70^th Anniversary disc has been remixed by Disney to superb sound quality with a very crisp audio. Even if you do not have the wide screen TV the high definition picture is very good, even if not everyone will enjoy the movie.  As with most of the new Disney product movies, you get the download version which is a plus for the kids. I personally have not found the time to watch movies on the go but it's great on a road trip that keeps the youngsters entertained with their iPod, iPad, Nintendo's, PSPs, you name it.

Dumbo, originally release way back in the 1940s has become a timeless Disney classic. Probably one of the better feature stories from Disney just over an hour.  The story is focused around Jumbo, Jr, who is given the cruel nickname of Dumbo because of his enormous ears. But when he learns he can use his ears to fly he becomes a circus sensation.

Most of the film you may feel a little sad for young elephant Dumbo. He is ridiculed from the moment he arrives by stork to his mother Mrs. Jumbo. The only friend he has through out this animation is Timothy, the circus underground roustabout mouse. Yes an elephant that is not afraid of a mouse. The movie is just over an hour but you grow, love and feel for Dumbo who is an outcast within his circus herd.

After the arrival of Dumbo the other circus elephants start to laugh and quickly nickname Jumbo, Jr., as Dumbo. The taunts come from everyone; however when some circus children begin to laugh at Dumbo, Mrs. Dumbo looses it. She's caged up for being a mad elephant; she was only protecting her little boy.

The circus director uses Dumbo in the elephant pyramid but his ears cause an accident while in a run, stumbles over his ears, and the pyramid of elephants comes tumbling down. Dumbo is given the job as a clown which he does not like at all, but looks very cute. Dumbo continues to feel lonely, teased by the circus and animals and now laughed at by the circus attendees as a clown skit. Timothy takes Dumbo to see his mom which makes him feel better as well as sad. This is a moment that brings job and sadness, one of the tear jerkers in the movie. Dumbo does not really see his mom because he's not tall enough to see inside the rail car, but Mrs. Jumbo brings her trunk down and Dumbo brings his up and they embrace.  The moment between a child and the mother, a moment that all of should know and embrace. As Dumbo returns back to his berth with Timothy, Mrs. Jumbo stairs out at her young boy.  It is heart warming to see such love expressed in an animation from a production so many years ago. On the way back from visiting his mom Dumbo begins to cry, Timothy things a drink of water would do Dumbo well. Dumbo gets a bit lofty and starts hiccupping bubbles, Timothy asks, "what kind of water is this." He soon finds out himself.  Not known to both that the clowns were celebrating a great show because of Dumob and a little Champaign spilt into the bucket. Both get drunk and start seeing things such as singing pink elephants. (Try explaining what is wrong with the water to a 9 year old.). Both wake up the next morning in a tree and figures Dumbo most of flied up with his ears.  Timothy presents to Dumbo a magical feather to make him fly again. Back at the circus Dumbo has to jump from a high set and looses his magic feather, on the way down Timonthy says it was not magic. Dumbo takes flight around the circus and becomes the next circus hit.  In the end, Mrs. Jumbo, Timothy and Dumbo are rewarded with their own train car in the circus.

Film Synopsis
In celebration of this landmark film’s 70th anniversary, experience the daring adventures of the world’s only flying elephant with a dazzling all-new digital restoration and brilliant Disney Enhanced High Definition Theatre Mix Sound.  The inspirational tale of Dumbo, the courageous baby elephant who uses his sensational ears to soar to fame with the help of his clever best friend Timothy Q. Mouse, will thrill and delight audiences of all ages.  And now, the award-winning music and empowering messages about friendship and belief In yourself reach new heights in this must-have Blu-ray high-definition presentation of Walt Disney’s classic Dumbo!

Bonus Features

DVD:

• Deleted Scene – “The Mouse’s Tale


• Deleted Song – “Are You a Man or a Mouse?”


• Taking Flight: The Making of Dumbo – A journey back to the origins of the film as everybody’s favorite baby elephant takes wing.


• The Magic Of Dumbo: A Ride of Passage – Witness the excitement and magic of Disneyland’s most popular ride through the eyes of a child.
  
  
  
  • Audio Commentary with Pete Docter, Paula Sigman and Andreas Deja
  
  
  • Sound Design Excerpt from The Reluctant Dragon
  
  
  • Original Walt Disney Television Introduction
    
  
  
  
  

Blu-ray:
Everything on the DVD plus:

• Cine-Explore


• Disney View


• “What Do You See?” Game


• “What Do You Know?” Game


• “Celebrating Dumbo” Featurette


• Animated Short: “The Flying Mouse”


• Animated Short: “Elmer Elephant"

Movie Download (Standard Definition & High Definition Versions):

• Deleted Scene – “The Mouse’s Tale”


• Deleted Song – “Are You a Man or a Mouse?”


• “Celebrating Dumbo” Featurette

 

About Disney Blu-ray Combo Packs (Blu-ray + DVD in a single package):
To provide consumers with unprecedented quality, value and portability of their favorite Disney classics, in 2008 Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment pioneered the Combo Pack – a Blu-ray Disc plus a DVD in a single package. To date, the company has released almost all their films as Combo Packs. Classic Disney titles released as Combo Packs include Sleeping Beauty, Pinocchio, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Beauty and the Beast and Fantasia.

About Walt Disney Studios:
For more than 85 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company (DIS: NYSE) was built. Today, the Studio brings quality movies, music and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. Feature films are released under four banners: Walt Disney Pictures,which includes Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios, Disneynature, Touchstone Pictures and Marvel. Through the Home Entertainment division, innovative distribution methods provide access to creative content across multiple platforms. Original music and motion picture soundtracks are produced under Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records, while Disney Theatrical Group produces and licenses live events, including Broadway theatrical productions, Disney on Ice and Disney LIVE!.  For more information, please visit www.disney.com.