Song of the South anytime ever? (merged)

[Dalvin]

THis probably has been adressed somewhere, but does anyone think Disney's most controversial film, will ever be released on DVD? It makes no sense that they would have a ride(one of the biggest mind you) at Disneyland,showing charcters from the film. Most people don't know what the story relates to, or anything. People always complain and say, "It's racist and the black people this and the black people that." Just shut up, and release this timeless classic of a film. I am so lucky I got a Laserdisc copy of this from Japan when I did. Still I hope and pray thay Disney will understand what the public really wants, and release their most controversial film ever. Because I'm telling you it would sell like hot cakes.

[RyoHazuki]

No.

[Dalvin]

How can studios release ultra violent films(i.e. The Last Boy Scout and Pulp Fiction, which I believe are both owned by Touchstone), to other studios that release films that heavily degrade women(i.e. The Last Boyscout, The Player's Club) and nobody raises a fuss at all. I 'm sorry but it really makes me mad. This film is a part of history. It happended during a period in our time. Get over Black people. Uncle Remus is never called the n word and they never even use the word slave once in that film. Its a part of our animation history. More children need to know the power, humor and sweet nature of Uncle Remus. Black people(and yes, I know not all hate the film) get mad over a character like him, but have no problem with characters like Chris Rock and Chris Tucker who really act like a modern day Stephin Fetchit.

[RyoHazuki]

Because.

[darkside]

Originally posted by Dalvin
but have no problem with characters like Chris Rock and Chris Tucker who really act like a modern day Stephin Fetchit.

Gay people on TV are the new Stephin Fetchits, not Chris Rock. There is a difference between being laughed with and laughed at.

As far as Song of the South it would be nice if it were released. It is a really good film, but I think Eisner has said several times it will never leave the vault.

[Deckard-10]

I doubt we'll ever see this released on DVD.

[lesterlong]

I have it on DVD. :P

[marty888]

http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=276613

[Jackskeleton]

forget dvd, I gots it on LD. ;)

[Class316]

Originally posted by Jackskeleton
forget dvd, I gots it on LD. ;)

forget the LD, I gots it on DVD and it plays on my computer (has menus too)

[ZackR]

I think there is a chance. Although the politically correct cops won't like it. It is a very nice film. The live action/animation mix is just beautiful. The story is nice and entertaining. Believe it or not, I was in kindergarten when this was given a limited re-release in 1986 and my class went to see it!!! (There would probably be a lawsuit if that happened today.)

Anyways, in today's PC world, Disney's only hope would be to release it as a "Walt Disney Treasures" title with Leonard Maltin doing an introduction talking about how the film was filmed in a different time, blah blah blah. And they would probably ban the sale of it to minors!!!

[MAJOR RANT] This PC crap annoys me more than anything else as far as films are concerned. I hate it. Why people want to ignore film history is beyond me. Besides, the film is not that bad. People claim it is racist because it shows blacks (oh, sorry, African-Americans) working for whites (oops, I mean Caucasian-Americans) on a Southern plantation. Seriously though, it is not nearly as bad as people make it out to be. The film shows Uncle Remus as a role model and also shows black and white children getting along as friends. I think it is actually a rather nice picture. Now, some people have said it trivializes slavery, etc. That may be true, but it was a children's film and I think it is not a bad thing to see a black character be the role model and to see children of both races as friends. What is so horrible about that? I mean, come on!! By these standards, we should also censor Gone With The Wind!!! Give me a break! When are we going to grow up? Political-correctness is so ridiculous. Are we adults or are we 4 years old? Are we going to get our precious little feelings hurt? Can we not handle it? It is absurd. And there is a double standard. It is OK for rappers/musicians to belittle women, use racial slurs in their music and promote disorderly activity...but seeing a nice little film that deals with blacks and whites after the Civil War is offensive?!?! How screwed up is that? I hate that kind of stupidity. Now, don't get me wrong. If Disney never wants to release it again, then fine! That is their right. That is NOT censorship. (Only the government can be responsible for censorship). I have ZERO right to EVER own Song of the South if Disney does not want to release it. That is totally their right. However, I think it is just a shame that childish sensitivities may influence them to not release a nice film out of fear of being picketed and branded as racist (which is as bad as being accused of being a child molester today)... Oh, but what about the precious little children?!?!?!?? What if this film warps their fragile little minds??? Well, parents, if you do not want your kids to watch it, then I have a radical, yet feasible solution for you.... Don't let them watch it!!! Problem solved. Should we ban South Park because some of us may not want young children watching it?? NO WAY!! I enjoy the show, but that doesn't mean I would let my 6 year old watch it (if I had a kid, which I will in 5 months!). It is called P-A-R-E-N-T-I-N-G!! If you do not want your kids watching SotS, then do not let them watch it. If you are someone who would have your world just crushed by the horrible, horrible thing that is Song of the South, then DON'T WATCH IT!! See, everything is OK. Those who do not wish to see it do not have to buy it. Those of us who want to see it will buy it. We all really need to get beyond this whole PC stage. Really. It is beyond childish. [/MAJOR RANT]

Sorry for the rant. I just HATE (ooh, I said the *H* word) HATE HATE political correctness in all forms and flavors.

Anyways, SotS is a lovely little film that I hope will be released soon. :)

Zack

[Jackskeleton]

Originally posted by Class316
forget the LD, I gots it on DVD and it plays on my computer (has menus too)

Well I do also have the file on my PC.. but I like things I can touch and are legit. ;)

[movie diva]

Way to go ZackR, I am black and think that they should release the movie. I don't think there is anything racist about the movie, when I was a child I did not like it, but I did not like a lot of Disney and I don't like a lot of Disney now, I do have a few. I am a Warner Brothers Girl. I think Black people make to much of the past, yes slavery was bad, jim crow was bad, and no matter what everybody is not going to like everybody else, be it skin color, height, eye color and it is time to move foward and not back. Maybe it is time to start letting Disney know how you and others fell about this movie, because in the end it comes down to MONEY and if Disney sees that people are willing to spend hard earned MONEY for this product they will do what they need to do to release it. Thsat's My 2 cents

[ZackR]

movie diva,

You rock. I sent an email several months ago to an address that was over at www.ultimatedisney.com and told them I wanted Song of the South to be released. I got a standard email autoresponse from them. I think they know there is decent interest - especially amongst us movie fans. They are just a little sheepish about releasing something that is considered so "controversial." They probably have nightmares of boycotts, etc. Oh well. I think common sense will eventually prevail though. :)

[Class316]

Originally posted by ZackR
I have ZERO right to EVER own Song of the South if Disney does not want to release it.

Huh?? You have full "right" to own it even in the legal sense! It got official releases on VHS and LD (just not in the US)!

So basically, DIE EISNER, DIE NAACP FU AND DIE DIE DIE!!

Originally posted by Jackskeleton
Well I do also have the file on my PC.. but I like things I can touch and are legit. ;)

Umm....I can touch my DVD fine. And it’s taken from a legit laserdisc :D


And although it is illegal [by state laws] to have it on DVD, it is in fact very very moral.

If Walt were alive today, he would have wanted people to have Song of the South on DVD! The current Disney administration is basically pissing on Walt’s grave (on many things, not just Song of the South)!! Song of the South is Walt’s creation!! If he saw that Song of the South would never get a DVD release he’d cry in his grave!!! So, honor the REAL Disney and piss on Eisner’s pseudo Disney [and political correctness] by obtaining a nice copy of Song of the South.

[brianluvdvd]

Originally posted by Class316
forget the LD, I gots it on DVD and it plays on my computer (has menus too)

Oh yeah...well my dvd has not only menus and no subtitles, it also has extras. Two trailers (for Song of the South) and a 1940's complete radio broadcast with Johnny Mercer hosting and includes Walt Disney (gushing at how great the movie is...which ironic) & all the cast including the actor who plays Uncle Remus. Beat that. :)

[Class316]

Originally posted by brianluvdvd
Oh yeah...well my dvd has not only menus and no subtitles, it also has extras. Two trailers (for Song of the South) and a 1940's complete radio broadcast with Johnny Mercer hosting and includes Walt Disney (gushing at how great the movie is...which ironic) & all the cast including the actor who plays Uncle Remus. Beat that. :)

Mine has menus, the two trailers, and the radio broadcast with Johnny Mercer that includes Walt Disney (I also have that and two other radio broadcasts on MP3 format). But it has subtitles ONLY during songs (which are not annoying).

So are you sure your transfer is from an LD? Cause if it has no subs it could either be from the UK or AU VHS or it could be from the rare HK LD.

Also, I’ve read that the Japanese laserdisc has slightly more footage than the UK VHS. Not sure how it compares to the HK LD.

[costanza187]

I think PC will stop this from ever coming out on dvd

[brianluvdvd]

Mine has no subtitles at all. I have no idea what it is transfered from.

I have owned both VHS & DVD copies of SOTS bootlegs. I would have gladly bought legit copies if they were available. I would gladly replace my copy of SOTS if a legit copy is ever released (as I plan to do this fall with the Indiana Jones flicks).

I don't like bootlegs but if what I want is not available, I have no problems with owning one or other people having them. The market is there, why not release it? Disney is keeping the bootleg market alive by not releasing it. Hell, if Lucas got a cut of the bootlegs of his films that he refuses to release, he would be a very rich man. ;) Why would anyone truly want a lower quality bootleg copy of anything when a perfect legit copy is avail at a fair price?

[Class316]

Originally posted by costanza187
I think PC will stop this from ever coming out on dvd

Until people come to their senses and vote for the right people (instead of Bush and Clinton). Then pc will die.

[Jackskeleton]

PC will never die when you have the average joe with a certain mindset. even if some one new is in the role who isn't so PC, you will still get this from a company. they want to please as many as the people as possible. they dont want to risk pissing off some potential cash by releasing this in any way.

[resinrats]

I always wondered why people get so worked up over this movie. You know the only reason is because you can't get it. If it was out just like any other movie, people would care less about it.


Remember Black Culdron? People said all things about how it was one of the best Disney movies before it got released and how it was a crime by Disney not to have it out. Now that Disney released it, nobody mentions it at all. You would think that the 'best' Disney movie would be mentioned often. Nope.

[Class316]

Originally posted by resinrats
I always wondered why people get so worked up over this movie. You know the only reason is because you can't get it. If it was out just like any other movie, people would care less about it.

You’re probably correct. But it’s still the principle of it that counts.

Remember Black Culdron? People said all things about how it was one of the best Disney movies before it got released and how it was a crime by Disney not to have it out. Now that Disney released it, nobody mentions it at all. You would think that the 'best' Disney movie would be mentioned often. Nope. [/B]

Why was Black Culdron considered "bad" ?

[Which Button?]

The way i understand it about Song of the South not being relesed is not because the blacks were slaves is because there was no set date to when the movie was supposed to take place either before the Cival War or after so the Blacks are basically shown as happy slaves and i think thats why they why they won't release IT. Because it would be wrong to show a movie that basically said blacks were happy slaves when there were horribler things done to them in that time.

Disney had really good intentions it was just misued and they forgot to clarify a few things. I think it that had been done. There would be no problem with Song of the South and we'd be watching it on DVD right now.

I really want to see Song of the South to but i understand why they never will release it and why would they if they have a film thats so historically unacurate.

Also about Black Cauldron your right they made a big deal when it got released a couple years ago. It got my attention and i really wanted it finally someone bought it for me. I watched it once and haven't really watched it since.

[Class316]

Originally posted by Which Button?
I really want to see Song of the South to but i understand why they never will release it and why would they if they have a film thats so historically unacurate.

Banning things cause they’re “historically inaccurate” means banning basically all movies. :rolleyes: Except of course the ones that bare the label “based on a true story”.

[Which Button?]

The slavry and the plantations were a horrible thing that happened. And to release a movie where they were considered happy would be wrong. Its like people who say the Holocaust never happened you know who horrible and disrecpectful that is is to millions of people?

[brianluvdvd]

Originally posted by Which Button?
The way i understand it about Song of the South not being relesed is not because the blacks were slaves is because there was no set date to when the movie was supposed to take place either before the Cival War or after so the Blacks are basically shown as happy slaves and i think thats why they why they won't release IT. Because it would be wrong to show a movie that basically said blacks were happy slaves when there were horribler things done to them in that time.



Where in the movie is it portrayed that all the slaves are happy slaves? There is only one scene where you see a group of slaves and they are singing at nighttime. That doesn't make them happy.

Slavery doesn't really come into the plot at all. It's not like this Gone With The Wind.

[brianluvdvd]

Originally posted by Which Button?
The slavry and the plantations were a horrible thing that happened. And to release a movie where they were considered happy would be wrong.

Have you even seen Song Of The South?

[Which Button?]

No i never saw it. I really want to because i'm curious. I first heard about it a year ago and was so intrigued and interested why Disney would ban a movie and not want anyone to see it so i did research, read articles, read reviews and talked to people who saw it.

And thats the feeling i got about the film from he people i talked to and reviews. And by what they said i can see why its not released.

I really would like to see the film and i think it should be on DVD. But from what i heard i can see why they'd never release it.

[Which Button?]

So i apologize if i'm wrong i'm just going from word of mouth and reviews.

[ZackR]

They aren't slaves in the movie. They are working on a plantation after the Civil War, as many did because they had few other options. And yes, slavery was horrible, but the slaves were a remarkable group of people. They oftentimes made the best of their situation and they definitely sang together. That is where the old term "Negro spiritual" came from. They were an amazingly strong group of people. Even though they were in an atrocious situation, they could find reason to sing. It is a testament to their fortitude.

And if historical inaccuracies should keep a movie from public view, then my collection would get much smaller. No, it has nothing to do with history... The PC cops amongst us would just as soon erase certain history in order to avoid "offending" the ultra-sensitive. Man, I hate political correctness.

I have seen SotS many times. I owned a PAL VHS and now own an excellent LD transfer that has no subtitles and is the best quality I have seen yet. I would buy this tomorrow in an instant if Disney released it. And it is much better than "The Black Cauldron' It is much better. It may not be "Snow White" or anything like that, but it is excellent IMHO.

It is amazing what is hidden away and what is considered OK. I mean, I can go to Suncoast and buy films and music videos that many many people would find just utterly offensive and disgusting. Songs about killing cops, beating your wife, and using women as nothing more than sex objects is just fine... It is artists "expressing themselves." BUT BUT BUT.... a half century year old film that shows black and white children as friends, plantation blacks sing in a bad situation and Uncle Remus is shown as a role model....that is horrible and must be hidden from the unsuspecting public who could never handle such terrible things. Oh well. The stupidity and idiocy never ceases to amaze me. I still think this will be releases someday...perhaps when the PC cops are busy changing each other's diapers....

[mikewendt]

It would be great for this to get released, and it would probably make a ton of money. But the fact remains Disney won't budge on this title, much like they won't budge on the "Laying in the street" footage from The Program.

It caused waves and they don't want to cause waves. Just like they sold Dogma to Columbia/Tri Star.

They also have enough money that they can afford to shelve titles forever and not worry about.

[movielib]

You know, I just watched Jezebel (1938) for which Bette Davis won an Academy Award. It takes place before the Civil War in New Orleans so black people are still slaves. Guess what? The black people are depicted as apparently fairly happy and they are shown singing. The film, like Gone With the Wind and Song of the South are, at least partly, a product of the time they were made.

None of those three movies would be made quite the way they were made if they were made today. I think that's a good thing but these are still all good films in spite of their faults. Regarding their depiction of black people, I think Song of the South is the least offensive of the three.

There are many other examples but Disney gets more scrutiny than any other studio so we have this situation with SotS and not the others.

[ZackR]

Guess what? The black people are depicted as apparently fairly happy and they are shown singing.

Yes, and another thing... Slavery was an atrocious crime as I mentioned above. However, why should SotS be panned just because it dares to show the people being happy at times? I mean, just because a movie is about slaves or former slaves, does that mean they must be shown in complete despair and hopelessness?? NO!! Now, slavery should not be trivialized in any way, yet those brave people endured and managed to find their own happiness at times. Did slaves sing? You bet they did. I think it is insulting for people to say that they can not be depicted as singing or having any kind of joy. That would not make sense. Oh well. Political correctness has never made sense any way. It is simply an emotional over-reaction by hyper-sensitive people.

And yes, of the three films you mention, SotS is by far the least "offensive." But it is scrutinized because Disney is a "family" company. I guess PC parents think that if SotS is released, then the DVD will somehow magically fly from the store into their DVD players and force their kids to watch it!! I mean, God forbid we should as adults to actually be responsible parents and monitor their kids' TV viewing. Besides, I am sure most kids have watched MUCH worse than Song of the South.

Kinda like the guns thing in ET (though to his credit, Spieilberg gave us the original version, so he gets a big thumbs up from me!!) Let me see, the cops are chasing some kids who are with a friggin alien and are riding on a flying bicycle!!! You want to tell me that real-life cops wouldn't have their guns drawn?? But like I said, cheers to Spielberg for realizing that the original, unaltered film should be preserved. Now if only that attitude would rub off on others **COUGH**George Lucas**COUGH**Disney**COUGH**

:)

[lordzeppelin]

I think the bottom line is that this is a children's film, and children don't see color - they see other kids. Kids aren't racist until their parents or the media makes them so. I saw someone tell their son he couldn't get a ecko t-shirt because it's "what the black kids wear" and I was blown away...not that I don't have my own racist moments myself (drive through the ghetto every day and see if there are ANY traffic laws...you'd be pissed too...but it's everyone - white black asian arab...just the "lower class structures"...anyways...). So how can this hurt to release this film? You don't see Triumph of the Will banned, do ya??

[lesterlong]

Disney should sell it to Criterion. Disney's like here's the deal: its yours and don't put our name anywhere on it ok.

[ZackR]

Disney should sell it to Criterion. Disney's like here's the deal: its yours and don't put our name anywhere on it ok.

That is a friggin' great idea. I mean, they could just license it to them for a year or so. After all, they licenses Armageddon to them.

I would love it if they did that. I don't care. They should just do something to release it...

[Which Button?]

I'm so confused now. I guess i'll have to wait if ever to see Song of The South and watch it myself.

Because Zack has made some good points, i just wanted to say again that i was just going by word of mouth and research i think Song of thed South should be released as much as anything.

But like someone said before the only reason why Song of the South is getting this much attention and why so much people want is because its not out. If it was out i woulden't be made as big of deal.

I wish i saw it in 88 when it came in theatres ii don't know why my parents didn't take me, they told me they had never heard of it until i brought it up. Oh well.

[ZackR]

It actually came out in 1986 and was a somewhat limited release.

But like someone said before the only reason why Song of the South is getting this much attention and why so much people want is because its not out. If it was out i woulden't be made as big of deal.
You are right about that. We make a big deal about it because it is not out there. Same goes for Star Wars...BUT, the only reason Song of the South is not out is that it has been deemed "inappropriate" by the PC Nazis. The PC cops think it is their job to be the thought police and that they need to protect our fragile little minds from things they think we shouldn't see.

Song of the South is a simple story. Basically, a boy with a disconnected/uninvolved father is taken down to relatives who run a large plantation. He is befriended by Uncle Remus, an elderly black gentleman who becomes a father figure to the young boy. Oh, how racist and horrible is that! :rolleyes: A young white boy who looks up to an elderly black man!! How ridiculous are these PC morons?! I mean, there is nothing racist about that!
In fact, when the young boy becomes sick, the one person he asks for is Uncle Remus! Oh yah, I forgot. The blacks in the film aren't shown to always be wallowing in misery and are actually shown as being occassionally happy. Therefore, it is considered racist. Give me a break. You know, this children's film should have definitely focused on the horrible nature of slavery itself and the sad socio-economic status blacks had to endure instead of portraying them as people who were strong enough to find happiness and peace in the midst of a terrible situation You know, I keep harping on this, but the blind stupidity and arrogance of the PC crowd really gets to me. They really are arrogant. I mean, who the $&(*_$ do they think they are trying to decide what is appropriate for me or anyone else to watch?!?! TV is full of shows and music videos that I think are over the top and unnecessary, but why should I stop someone else from seeing it? Why can the PC crowd not just deal with things they don't wish to see in the same way most people do... If you don't want to see it, don't watch it. How hard is that to comprehend? But no. It is not enough that they not watch it. They have to go out of their way and drop the dreaded "R" (racist) word and try to keep anyone else from seeing it. But I guess I do need a nanny like the wonderful PC gustapo protecting me from myself and all the horrible things I might watch. Oh well, since Song of the South is so dreadfully offensive, I guess I will go spend some quality time watching "artists" "express themselves" ....Off to go watch some MTV rappers talk about beating their "b*tches" and "hos"...but I guess that is OK.... :rolleyes:

[ZackR]

Here is an excerpt from SongoftheSouth.net (http://www.songofthesouth.net/home.html) that pretty much sums everything up.
In a world today where sex, drugs, and violence overwhelms and taints the silver screen, it angers me. But alas, that doesn't stop it from being shown. At least Song of the South made an attempt at showing harmony, something I rarely see in today's movies. And not only did it attempt at showing harmony within a family, but harmony between races as well; that was a big accomplishment for a film back in the 1940's when segregation was still very much a part of life. This is my plea, and I don't think I'm alone in this: please bring back Song of the South. I respect the views of those who object to this movie, but I don't think it's fair to prevent those who saw something a bit more positive in it from seeing it and preventing future generations from possibly benefitting in the same way. Imperfect or not, it's still a film, and a relatively harmless one at that.

You can read the full text here. (http://www.songofthesouth.net/movie/overview/defense.html)

Zack

[Dr. DVD]

I agree with almost everything that's been said on this board in defense of Song of the South. My family has a PAL conversion and it is a great movie to watch with no hints of racism at all.

In fact: one of the films crucial moments has the sick white kid brought back by Uncle Remus telling him stories and holding his hand. It's very hard to see the image of a little white hand in that of an elderly black one and view it as racist.

[Rypro 525]

article from an older thread
NO DVD RELEASE?

From a January 2003 column at Jim Hill Media.

Given that Buena Vista Home Entertainment is really beginning to scrape the bottom of the barrel when it comes to the Disney film vault (Coming soon from BVHE to a retailer near you: The Don Knotts Collection. As if there are really people out there who are truly desperate to add the DVDs of Gus and The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again to their collection), I know that they'd really love to put a title like Song of the South out there in the marketplace. A movie that Disneyana fans and animation buffs have been begging for for years now. A title that would be sure to sell 10-12 million units easy.

But--that said--seriously wonder if Disney will ever dare to put Song of the South out on home video and DVD in Region 1 (i.e. the United States and Canada). I mean, if the former head of Disney Feature Animation Thomas Schumacher is to be believed, SOTS is now supposedly on permanent moratorium.

And what exactly is "permanent moratorium?" Is it the Disney-esque equivalent of Dean Wormer's infamous "Double Secret Probation?" Actually, what "permanent moratorium" supposedly means (in this case, anyway) is that the Walt Disney Company has no intentions to ever put Song of the South back into theatrical release here in the U.S. Nor does the corporation have any plans to release this live action / animated feature in the home video or DVD format here in North America.

Which is unfortunate. Not to mention hypocritical. After all, Disney's Song of the South has been readily available for purchase in the Orient for years now. (Why else do you think that all those video versions of Song of the South that sell on eBay have Japanese subtitles? That's because they're direct dubs off of the SOTS laser disc.)

Why exactly would Disney make Song of the South available for sale in Asia but not in North America? Basically BVHE's international arm believes that there aren't many African-Americans there who would complain about the film's portrayal of blacks.

Which is kind of a two faced policy, don't you think? That Disney pretends to care about the feelings of its black customers here in North America ... then abandons that pretense in the Orient.

But this sadly has become standard operating procedure with the modern Walt Disney Company: to give the impression that the company actually cares about something, rather than actually caring.

This actually reminds me of the last time that Walt Disney Studios put Song of the South out in theaters here in the U.S. That was back in 1986. Just two years after Michael Eisner took control of the Mouse House.

If the Walt Disney Company is really so concerned about the feelings of African Americans, then why did the studio put this allegedly offensive film back into theaters?

Well, actually there's kind of an interesting story associated with that particular re-release of Song of the South. You see, Tony Baxter and the Imagineers who were working on "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah River Run" (a new flume ride that was being proposed for construction at Disneyland in the late 1980s) were leaning heavily on Eisner to allow them to use the characters and settings from Song of the South to help theme this attraction.

And Uncle Michael actually liked the idea of adding a flume ride to Disneyland. It's just that Disney's CEO was somewhat squeamish about the attraction's proposed subject matter. Eisner was worried that a ride that was built around Uncle Remus might unintentionally offend African-Americans. Which might result in Disneyland being picketed by the NAACP.

Still the Imagineers persisted, insisting that this proposed Disneyland flume ride wouldn't work unless they were allowed to build "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah River Run"'s storyline around the Song of the South characters and settings.

This is why -- as sort of a litmus test for this attraction -- Eisner ordered that "Song of the South" be put into an extremely limited release in the Fall of 1986. If I'm remembering correctly, the film was only out in theaters for two weeks. Three weeks max. Before "SOTS" was quickly pulled and put back in the vault.

Given that no one wrote to the Walt Disney Company while Song of the South was playing in theaters here in the U.S. to complain about the film's portrayal of its black characters (and--more importantly--given that SOTS actually did pretty well at the box office during its limited re-release), Eisner finally gave the Imagineers the okay to use the movie's characters and settings in their proposed Disneyland flume attraction.

However, just to play it safe, Uncle Michael ordered that all references to Uncle Remus be removed from the ride; that's why the narrator in the queue area is clearly identified as Brer Frog. Eisner also asked that--to further distance this thrill ride from the somewhat controversial Song of the South--that WDI drop the name "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah River Run" in favor of something a bit more generic. Which is how Disneyland's flume ride ended up being called "Splash Mountain."

Anyway... Rick, you asked me if Disney has any plans to release Song of the South on home video and DVD. Well, given this "permanent moratorium" nonsense, the Mouse is now insisting that this particular film will never ever see the light of day again... at least here in the United States.

Which is really interesting. Given that--as recently as three years ago--Buena Vista Home Entertainment was actively exploring ways they could release SOTS on home video and DVD here in the U.S.

Of course, in order to make this title palatable to the general public during these increasingly politically correct times, BVHE knew that it had to package this film just right. Which is why (for a time) Disney toyed with the idea of selling a version of Song of the South that would have been preceded by a showing of Walt Disney Feature Animation's new short, John Henry.

You see, Buena Vista Home Entertainment's idea was to persuade a prominent African-American like James Earl Jones, Morgan Freeman or Dr. Maya Angelou to serve as the MC on this DVD / home video. Someone who could introduce Song of the South, explaining the film's historical significance as well as re-enforcing the idea that SOTS was a product of a less enlightened time in Hollywood.

Then--once Song of the South finished being shown--the film's host would then introduce John Henry. Which (hopefully) would demonstrate the great strides that the Walt Disney Company had made in its depiction of and attitudes toward African-Americans.

It seemed like a pretty fool-proof scheme. Using the device of a prominent African-American narrator to help put Song of the South in proper perspective. A framework which would (hopefully) make SOTS more palatable (or--at the very least--less distasteful to) African American consumers.

The only problem was... Buena Vista Home Entertainment reportedly approached the wrong African American first. The way I keep hearing this story, the very first person that BVHE went to in their quest to recruit a narrator / host for their Song of the South / John Henry home video and DVD project was poet Maya Angelou. Angelou supposedly loved "John Henry" when WDFA screened the short for her, but was deeply offended by SOTS. The noted author then allegedly told the reps at Buena Vista Home Entertainment that--if they ever dared to put "Song of the South" up for sale in the United States--that she personally would take part in the protests.

That threat was reportedly enough for the Walt Disney Company to order Song of the South back into the vault... never to see the light of day again.

And that framing device that Buena Vista Home Entertainment dreamed up for its proposed Song of the South / John Henry combo release? That concept actually ended up being used on BVHE's American Legends release. That home video and DVD (which was released back in 2001) featured James Earl Jones as its host/narrator. In which the noted African American actor introduced John Henry, Johnny Appleseed, Paul Bunyan and Casey Jones, The Brave Engineer.

Still--as Buena Vista Home Entertainment struggles to find other older Disney film titles to put up for sale on home video and DVD--you have to wonder if the temptation to release Song of the South will eventually become too great. That--even with the outcry from African-Americans that is almost certain to accompany the re-release of this film--that this still could end up being a profitable venture for the Mouse. That-- f BVHE were eventually able to move 10-12 million units of SOTS--that all of the agita and anxiety associated with this movie's home video and DVD release would ultimately be worth it.

My advice, Ryan? Keep an eye on Buena Vista Home Entertainment. If this division of the Walt Disney Company's upcoming releases--Treasure Planet, Atlantis II: Milo's Return, and the colorized version of The Absent Minded Professor--don't exactly set the retail world on fire, BVHE execs may feel that they have no choice but to revisit the company's decision to put SOTS on permanent moratorium.

After all, this was the corporation that said that Disneyland's "Main Street Electric Parade" was "... glowing away forever." So--if that parade can come back to Anaheim--chances are pretty good that Song of the South won't actually be stuck in Disney's film vaults forever.

[FatTony]

I would like to see this film released but only for purely academic purposes. I have not seen it (that I know of), but I would like to see if it really is racist or if it could even be seen as racist. I find it hard to believe that almost everyone seems to agree that this film is 100% not racist, yet Disney refuses to release it for that very reason. I would really like to see some sort of commentary on this film by Eisner himself, and maybe some others who could provide some insight onto the racist tones of the film (I'm sure Spike Lee would have a thing or two to say about the film). I would also like to see some sort of commentary by people who would be able to intelligently defend the film (no offense to anyone on here, but several of you are blanket anti-PC, leading me to believe you have more than a biased opinion on the matter and probably not a whole lot of actual knowledge of the history involved in the film). Again, I find it hard to believe that "Zip-a-dee-doo-dah" is a Negro spiritual.

This film seems to have inadvertently become historically significant, and to basically deny its existence is pretty revisionist on Disney's part. If the film truly is racist, it's a sign of the times in which it was made. And to be honest, it's not like racism doesn't exist today. Perhaps Disney is just trying to be a little more responsible in today's political climate. I think that a forced introduction before the film from Eisner himself or maybe someone high up in the NAACP would be sufficient enough a disclaimer.

[Which Button?]

Well said Fat Tony. This is the first intellectual comment said on this whole thing.

I too have never seen the film and would reallyt like to see it and then i could see for myself.

Before i was going on what other people had told me and what i read, then i heard everones comments on here. And now still not sure where i stand.

[Onizuka]

Eisner thinks Black Americans are not mature enough to watch Song of the South. The film was recently broadcasted on UK television. As a Black person I find it insulting that Eisner thinks if I see Song of the South or an old-fashioned Black stereotype in Fantasia that I will try to start a riot in Disney world like a monkey.

The main problem Eisner has with the film is Uncle Remus is basically Uncle Tom. The film takes place after the civil war so there are no slaves in the film. Eisner is a big ass hole that wants to edit history to his liking. Eisner has also edited out smoking from several of Walt’s films. He did those edits without Roy Disney's permission.

I will not buy a region 1 release of Song of the South because I know Eisner will have some ass hole talking down to me during the intro of the movie. So I will wait for the Japanese DVD release

[JoeyOhhhh]

The thing is that now, unlike VHS and LD days, its much easier to import movies from outside the United States. And even Region encoding is not a problem with DVDs, so I doubt will see a release outside Region 1.

If they ever release it, it will probably be across the globe.

[Onizuka]

Originally posted by JoeyOhhhh
The thing is that now, unlike VHS and LD days, its much easier to import movies from outside the United States. And even Region encoding is not a problem with DVDs, so I doubt will see a release outside Region 1.

If they ever release it, it will probably be across the globe.

The film aired on UK television last month so I think it is safe to assume Eisner thinks only Black Americans shouldn't see it. I think we will see a UK DVD release of Song of the South soon. I highly doubt any idiot that would be offended by the movie has a multi region DVD player or knows where to buy import movies.

[Class316]

Originally posted by FatTony
II would really like to see some sort of commentary on this film by Eisner himself, and maybe some others who could provide some insight onto the racist tones of the film (I'm sure Spike Lee would have a thing or two to say about the film).

Eisner doing commentary?? NO THANK YOU!! :crap: I do not want this piece of filth running amuck in any DVDs I'm supposed to pay $$$ for!!!! Leonard Maltin is annoying enough but tolerable to a certain degree, but EISNER??????? HELL NO!!!!

but several of you are blanket anti-PC, leading me to believe you have more than a biased opinion on the matter and probably not a whole lot of actual knowledge of the history involved in the film). [/B]

anti-PC to the very end and proud of it :beer:

/me pets his DVD of "The Alamo", among others.

[ZackR]

FatTony,

You are right. I am unashamedly anti-PC. I hate it. I think it is absolutely absurd. I admit that no one can argue the racial undertones of the film. It was based on the stories of Joel Chandler Harris, whose own racial ideas are questionable to say the least. I am not trying to say that the film is perfectly innocent. No, "Zippa Dee Do Dah" is not a Negro spiritual. I just think that many people have a problem that the film shows former slave/servants being joyful at all. I think that is insulting to them and their legacy. I would welcome the film being released with commentaries (though not Eisner!) that tell intelligently and ACCURATELY the story behind the movie and all the controversy. That would be awesome. I would want them to be unbiased and accurate though. I just think that it is a bit ridiculous that SotS has so much controverrsy, when other films that show racial issues in the same light are OK...

[ZackR]

Perhaps Disney is just trying to be a little more responsible in today's political climate.
That's exactly what I am saying. The hyper-sensitive political climate sucks. There would be nothing "irresponsible" about releasing it. Are Matt and Trey "irresponsible" for releasing South Park? Are Eminem or Dr. Drey irresponsible? It is not up to some PC-police to decide what is "appropriate." Unfortunately, in today's climate, many groups like the Rainbow/PUSH like to cry racism over EVERYTHING and extort organizations into doing what they want.
Eisner thinks Black Americans are not mature enough to watch Song of the South. The film was recently broadcasted on UK television. As a Black person I find it insulting that Eisner thinks if I see Song of the South or an old-fashioned Black stereotype in Fantasia that I will try to start a riot in Disney world like a monkey.

You could not be more right about that. Except, I think it is not only directed at black people. The PC crowd thinks that Americans can not handle and should not see things that they think are offensive.

Anyways, I think it will be released eventually...probably in the way Tony says too, with commentaries. Oh, and there would have to be some forced thing you had to watch EVERY TIME you played the movie that not only explained the time and environment in which the film was made, but also a huge disclaimer like: Disney Exec: "Oh, we are so sorry for ever producing this horrible, dreadful thing. We are releasing it only for it's historical value. We hope that by releasing it we are not crushing anyone's fragile little universe. Please do not boycott is and call us the dreaded 'R' word." And then some Rainbow/PUSH guy would come on: "We think this film is offensive and horrible, and you should not be seeing it. We have deemed you to be too immature and unintelligent, but Disney has received a large demand for this film's release and they want to release it. So, they have agreed (thanks to our extortion-like threats) to donate 1/2 the money that they make to us...and well, money talks. So, umm, watch this film, and just remember how horrible it is and that we, your friendly neighborhood thought police highly recommend against it." Oh well. It will certainly be interesting to see how they handle it when/if it is released. :)

[The Exister]

I love this "us vs. them" mentality surrounding the arguments over political correctness.

Political correctness may rub some of you the wrong way, but it serves its purpose in some cases; and in some cases it goes too far. But it is not an ideology, as some of you are characterizing it.

In any case, Disney owns the film, and if they don't want to release it - it's their business (or loss, IMO).

So much energy invested in railing against a corporation over a DVD release... Not my bag, I guess.

[ToddJamesPierce]

Umm, Political correctness "is not an ideology, as some of you are characterizing it." Go look up ideology in a dictionary, then get back to me.

[Dalvin]

It is absolutely ridiculous that studios can release much more controversial films" such as "jesus Christ Superstar" and "The Last Temptation of Christ". In JCS, There are three women who look like strippers dancing over Jesus as he carries his cross to calvary. In TLTOC, religious conservatives "flipped their whigs" because the ending shows Jesus' last temptaion has having sex with Mary Magdeline(a prostitute). From what I know its supposedly a "dream sequence" that he has. I have to say if the same film was about the life of Mohammad, this never would have happened(just look at what happened to Salman Rusdie when he wrote "The Satanic Verse"). Both of these films offended me, but it doesn't mean I feel they should be banned. I just won't watch them again.
But to not release a classic story like Song of the South, that in my viewpoint shows African -Americans in a less subserveient role than in "Gone with The Wind" is utterly ridiculous. This classic film, deals with friendship between a young white boy and Uncle Remus(never once is it even mentioned he is a slave!!!!). If anything I found the film to be filled with messages of positivity, togetherness and racial EQUALITY.

[Class316]

Originally posted by Dalvin
I have to say if the same film was about the life of Mohammad, this never would have happened(just look at what happened to Salman Rusdie when he wrote "The Satanic Verse").

Very well said

[FatTony]

Alright, after much hunting and hours of downloading, I have been able to see the second half of Song of the South. My official opinion is that the film is indeed a racist one. It presents black people as uneducated and mostly as simple servants to the white people. Whether or not the word "slave" is actually used in the film seems trivial. Not only that, but it presents them as being happy about it. The film also seems to have a skewed perspective of history as well, which in itself is irresponsible.

Is the film awful in its entirety? Tough to say, as I've only seen the last half of it, but I would have to say probably not. The relationship between Uncle Remus and the children is quite touching and from a technical standpoint, the animation is quite good as are the scenes with both live action and animation together.

I'm sure the film was also considered quite forward-thinking and open-minded at the time it was made, which presents a problem. Just because the slaves were freed after the Civil War, it doesn't mean that discrimination and racism ceased to exist. This is where the skewed perspective of history comes in. It completely removes the reality of the situation at the time. I realize that the film portrays people interacting with cartoons, but that's beside the point. To portray this period of American history as anything different from the truth is disrespectful. It's disrespectful to the people who lived in that era, it's disrespectful to the people who have worked over the years to change society for the better, and it's disrespectful to any audience who has ever seen the film, as they are being lied to, plain and simple.

Now, just to make this post less of an off-topic rant, should Disney release this on DVD? Most definitely. Love the film or hate it, there is absolutely no reason for this film to not be released. In a time when such controversial films as Birth of a Nation, Happiness, and The Last Temptation of Christ are readily available on DVD, there is no logical reason why Song of the South should not join their ranks. I can only hope that if/when Disney chooses to release it, they do so responsibly, including interviews and commentaries from people who are able to eloquently argue for and against this film. Perhaps licensing this film to Criterion would be the best move on their part, as it will likely carry a substantially higher price tag than most of Dinsey's own DVDs and would therefore prevent the everyday family from picking this film up, reserving it for die-hard fans and those who would actually like to study this film (not to mention that Criterion would probably do a much better job with the special features).

And for those who vomited at my suggestion of having Eisner on the DVD, I only brought it up because it seems to me it was his decision to put the film on permanent moratorium. I just thought it would be good for him to back up his original decision and why he changed his mind later down the road.

[Jason]

Originally posted by FatTony
Is the film awful in its entirety? Tough to say, as I've only seen the last half of it, but I would have to say probably not. The relationship between Uncle Remus and the children is quite touching and from a technical standpoint, the animation is quite good as are the scenes with both live action and animation together.


While the animated sequences are well done, and Remus is a wonderful character, overall SOTS is a very poorly made movie. The cast (again, with the exception of Remus) is cardboard, the acting is atrocious, and the cinematography is more like an early 1930's movie. In short, the film looks incredibly dated, and I suspect Disney is afraid it would not play well with todays more sophisticated kids.

It's a shame, too, because the animated sequences are downright charming, and the interaction of Remus and the birds is damn well done by any standard.

[ZackR]

Now, just to make this post less of an off-topic rant, should Disney release this on DVD? Most definitely. Love the film or hate it, there is absolutely no reason for this film to not be released. In a time when such controversial films as Birth of a Nation, Happiness, and The Last Temptation of Christ are readily available on DVD, there is no logical reason why Song of the South should not join their ranks. I can only hope that if/when Disney chooses to release it, they do so responsibly, including interviews and commentaries from people who are able to eloquently argue for and against this film. Perhaps licensing this film to Criterion would be the best move on their part, as it will likely carry a substantially higher price tag than most of Dinsey's own DVDs and would therefore prevent the everyday family from picking this film up, reserving it for die-hard fans and those who would actually like to study this film (not to mention that Criterion would probably do a much better job with the special features).

Tony, that sounds totally reasonable to me, man. I especially like the thought of Criterion licensing the film. That would be perfect. As I said, there are definite racial overtones in the film. The time period it portrays was a racist one where blacks were made to be subservient and inferior to whites. There is no denying that. As you said, I just think it is a shame that it is hidden away while equally or more controversial films are considered OK. Anyways, cheers to you for taking the time to seek it out and decide for yourself. :)

Take Care,
Zack

[Feathers McGraw]

Originally posted by FatTony
Alright, after much hunting and hours of downloading, I have been able to see the second half of Song of the South. My official opinion is that the film is indeed a racist one. It presents black people as uneducated and mostly as simple servants to the white people. Whether or not the word "slave" is actually used in the film seems trivial. Not only that, but it presents them as being happy about it. The film also seems to have a skewed perspective of history as well, which in itself is irresponsible.

I'm sure the film was also considered quite forward-thinking and open-minded at the time it was made, which presents a problem. Just because the slaves were freed after the Civil War, it doesn't mean that discrimination and racism ceased to exist. This is where the skewed perspective of history comes in. It completely removes the reality of the situation at the time. I realize that the film portrays people interacting with cartoons, but that's beside the point. To portray this period of American history as anything different from the truth is disrespectful. It's disrespectful to the people who lived in that era, it's disrespectful to the people who have worked over the years to change society for the better, and it's disrespectful to any audience who has ever seen the film, as they are being lied to, plain and simple.


Well, I must say I'm surprised at this reaction. I recently downloaded the film, and absolutely loved it. *Nothing* racist at all in it. In fact, the black characters are the *positive* characters in the film, and it's the whites that are mean, unlikable and the boo hiss villains.

In your first paragraph, you've jumped from the depiction of a specific group of black men and women, and generalized to the entire race. The film also shows a
"white trash" family who are uneducated, does that mean all whites are this way? Of course not. So why would the depiction of certain black folks being uneducated mean that the film is saying all blacks are this way?

The film shows individuals. It's not talking about race, ever.

I also disagree with the second paragraph. How does the film show that racism doesn't exist? There's nothing of the kind there. The mother sure isn't that kind to Uncle Remus the whole film, and tries to keep her son away from him. Remember, much racism is not overt and obvious. And even if there is no racism shown in the film, you can't generalise outside the individuals shown.

As for not accurately depicting events, welcome to Hollywood. You'd eliminate 99% of all films if you forced them into accurate depictions of history. Cop films? Westerns? Romantic comedies? Science Fiction? All gone, all unrealistic.

I know you're not saying the film should be banned, but why should this film be put under the burden of realism, when no others are? And I believe you're vastly overstating the amount of unrealism in the film.

[Which Button?]

Thanks Fat Tony thats what i kinda thought. And i had been saying the same thing that changing history like that is wrong and irresponcible not to mention upsetting for people. That's why Disney hasn't released this and probably won't

[Onizuka]

Originally posted by Which Button?
Thanks Fat Tony thats what i kinda thought. And i had been saying the same thing that changing history like that is wrong and irresponcible not to mention upsetting for people. That's why Disney hasn't released this and probably won't

What History is changed in this film? You have this movie confused with Pocahontas. Roy Disney wants to release Song of the South it is that ass hole Eisner who will not release it.

[ZackR]

And i had been saying the same thing that changing history like that is wrong and irresponcible not to mention upsetting for people.
Well, excuse my horrible insensitivity, but I don't care if a movie offends someone. I really don't. If it is released, will Disney somehow force everyone to watch it?? No. There are movies out their that I think are offensive. I don't care that they are out there though. I am an adult. I can easily choose to not watch it. So what if I would find it offensive? I just choose to not watch it. If I thought Eminem were personally offensive to me (which I really don't), I would NOT support keeping his music hidden away just because I might be offended. We can be adults. We can choose for ourselves. We do not need to be "protected." Does anyone not think that "Birth of a Nation" could be considered offensive? It is considered OK though. Very strange indeed. And as far as changing history - it is OK for Oliver Stone and everyone else to do it, but not Disney?
If I were Disney though, I can see their being nervous about it being released. I am sure there is some group out there who would love to boycott, sue them, or call them racist or whatever. If I find something offensive, then I boycott it with my wallet - I refuse to buy it. Why can't others just do the same? Why do we need to have a small part of society (the PC crowd) that thinks it is their lot in life to tell others what is appropriate to watch and what they should be offended by? Don't they have anything better to do?

[Which Button?]

Hey Man don't jump on my back I want this film out too and i think there's no reason even if it's racist it shoulden't be out.

I was just stating why its probably never going to be out and even Fat Tony said "The film also seems to have a skewed perspective of history as well, which in itself is irresponsible. To portray this period of American history as anything different from the truth is disrespectful. It's disrespectful to the people who lived in that era, it's disrespectful to the people who have worked over the years to change society for the better, and it's disrespectful to any audience who has ever seen the film, as they are being lied to, plain and simple."

[ZackR]

Hey Man don't jump on my back I want this film out too and i think there's no reason even if it's racist it shoulden't be out.
My apolgies, man. Seriously. None of my comments were directed at you personally. I was referring to the general notion that a film should not be seen because it is "offensive" or "historically inaccurate." I hate political correctness in all forms and it just gets under my skin.
BUT, I meant absolutely nothing I said to be directed at you personally. I am sorry if it came across that way. :)

[Which Button?]

Na no worries man its cool. I hate all this PC stuff too i started noticing it after 9-11 What got me upset is when i heard the Disney Channel in the States were editing Spider-Man, DuckTales & Darkwing Duck for violence. I mean C'mon don't mess with cartoons already made especially ones that are so non voilent as those. The only thing i could understand being edited out would if there was a terrorist on a plane or something. But just because there are explosions kids aren't gunna start having nightmares.

[Dalvin]

It will be very interesting to see what happens with this title. Disney is kind of in the position ABC is in after John Ritter's death. You have to walk the thin line of running a buisness and not trying to offend anyone. I think Disney is not selling this to another company, because they know how valuable a gem it is for them to have. Don't think they don't know they're sitting on a gold mine. Disney's thinking is, "Nobody is going to make money of walt's film except us, and we don't want to offend, so it will never see the light of day."
Sadly enough I'd like Eisner to step down, I wish no ill will on the man, but he is completely loathed in that company. I've been to Disneyland, and people have been saying what a "greedy A---hole he is." I have spoken with a head Animator at Disney who says he is a "greedy control freek, who doesn't even understand what Disney is about". Nobody likes this guy. To quote the great Chris Tucker:
"She don't like you/I don't like you/ the girl don't like you/ nobody likes you"

I wish Roy Disney Jr. was running the company

[MrE]

Keep repeating, "It's only a movie...."

http://www.snopes.com/disney/films/sots.htm

[Dalvin]

It is not just, "ONLY a Movie", it is a landmark film, and Micheal Eisner is murdering walt Disney's dream. I read an article in the L.A. times about SOTS a few months ago, and they mentioned they made some very good points, If someone knows what I'm talking about, can you please post the article....it was a great article

[Jason]

Originally posted by Dalvin
It is not just, "ONLY a Movie", it is a landmark film, and Micheal Eisner is murdering walt Disney's dream. I read an article in the L.A. times about SOTS a few months ago, and they mentioned they made some very good points, If someone knows what I'm talking about, can you please post the article....it was a great article

No, from goodburger to the Godfather, they're all only a movie.

[FatTony]

Originally posted by Dalvin
Micheal Eisner is murdering walt Disney's dream.

Well, from reading that article, it sounds to me like Walt Disney murdered Joel Chandler Harris's stories.

Originally posted by Onizuka
What History is changed in this film? You have this movie confused with Pocahontas. Roy Disney wants to release Song of the South it is that ass hole Eisner who will not release it.

This post is completely uncalled for. It's one thing to ask for clarification on what history may have been changed, but it's another to inisinuate that both Which Button? and, by extension, myself have mistaken Song of the South for another film. I can only speak for myself, but I know that Song of the South does not portray the times it is supposed to take place in accurately. I do not have it mistaken for Pocahontas. It's a shame that this post had to appear in an otherwise very civilized and intelligent discussion.

Now, the part of that article that really gets me is that at the end it says James Haskett was the first actor to have ever been hired by Disney, yet he couldn't attend the premiere because no hotel in Atlanta would give him a room. Oh sweet irony. The film takes place in a fantasy world right after the Civil War where slavery has been abolished and blatant, out-in-the-open racism doesn't seem to exist, yet this man can not get a room in the very same city in which the film takes place almost 100 years later! Ridiculous!!! Disney apparently didn't put up much of a fight for him either.

Now, to Feathers McGraw, you contradict yourself in your post. You first say there is "*Nothing* racist at all in it" and yet you go on to criticize me by saying "How does the film show that racism doesn't exist?" I'm not sure what you're getting at here. But you're right, not all racism is overt and obvious, but the mother trying to keep her son away from Uncle Remus is not what I would call subtle racism.

You also mention that I generalize the characters in the film. Do I know for a fact that all black people in the world at the time this film takes place are slaves? No. But as far as I can tell, all the black people shown on the screen are involved in some sort of master-slave relationship. And on the other hand, we have the "white trash" family. Is this the only white family in the film? No. The other white family seems to be well-off financially. So in the end, the white people are given multiple characterizations, while the black people are only there to serve the white.

And finally, when I'm watching a historical film, I like to see that historical period portrayed accurately. Having a movie that takes place when racism runs rampant not show the racism of the time accurately bothers me. It reminds me of a few films of recent years: Remember the Titans and Men of Honor. These films deal with the subject of racism, yet they both bothered me because they didn't show what I felt should have been a level of racism relevant to the stories. Does this mean I should alienate 99% of what Hollywood puts out? I don't think so.

[Class316]

Originally posted by FatTony
I like to see that historical period portrayed accurately

Then do yourself a favor and watch documentaries.

[Onizuka]

The film Song of the South is not a movie about Racism & Slavery. It is a movie about friendship pure and simple. Do you also get angry when movies that are set in 1950's America don't show the racism & Communist hunts of the time? Why is it only this film is singled out? If you want to see films about slavery or racism I suggest you watch Roots, Spartacus or anouther film.

Please stop trying to protect me from Song of the South.

[FatTony]

Originally posted by Onizuka
Please stop trying to protect me from Song of the South.
Take 2 minutes to read my posts and find out that I have never at any point said that this film should not be released on DVD. Thanks!

[fender69]

I personally don't understand why everyone gets so upset about it not being offically avaliable on DVD. I say offically because I have a great copy of it on DVD.
I look at it this way.
If you really want the movie on DVD it's avaliable for you. One top of that Disney (the "a$$holes" who won't release the movie) will not be getting any of your money for it.
If you think the move should never see the light of day feel happy that you and most of the other casual "Best Buy shoppers" will never discover this travisty sitting on a shelf next to decent classic family entainment.

[Which Button?]

Ok i fnally saw Song of the South last night its a really good movie i love the animations parts with B'rear Rabbit, Fox & Bear. So good and i love Uncle Remus i love his laugh. Its great to finally understand the Splash Mountain ride and the Zipededoodah song that i liked as a kid.

The movie though is racist because they never say when the movie takes place. Not once do they say wheather or not its after or before the civil war. And it gives the impression that there fairly happy people working on the plantation without any other thoughts. I think people miss that because its really a good movie and thats the only problem why its not released. If they had given a time line and included the other parts of what was going on it would be ok. Most people seem to miss that point while movies like Gone in the Wind and others clearly give a time frame to when the movie takes place.

It be like doing a movie today aboit the Concentration Camps and only portraying the Jews as being happy content people about the situation and not talking about or mentiong the time it took place or what was really happening to them. If they did a movie like that today it get the same treatment as Song of the South even it wasn't made by Disney.

Yes the PC thing is a big part of and peaople are PC crazy and bash and ban things without using their Full brain but i don't think that's this film main problem.

[Dalvin]

Something that Disney never seems to point out is that this is the first time, in which a black man is a central part of the Movie. This is incredible consdering the film was from 1947!!!!!!! In fact, Walt Disney himself has even said its one of his greatest accomplishements, mainly because its the first time the integrate live action with animation.
Disney has everything planned to come out soon or in the near future that is of any value.....EXCEPT THIS MOVIE!!!!!! If this does come out, In Region 1, with extras. I think Roy Disney Jr.(who I wish was running the company) should do an introduction to the film. He's Walt's nephew and the only person I think who should introduce the film, he can speak and talk about his Uncle's vision. Nobody knows more about Walt's legacy that is still alive today than Roy Disney Jr.(who badly wants to release "Song of the South"
Please go to http://www.songofthesouth.net and petition to Disney for them to finally release this classic film. This is an insult to everything Walt Disney stands for. make your voice be known to the powers that be, so they will have no choice but to release, in my opinion, one of Disney's landmark films.

[Dalvin]

Please, if you have not seen the film, sign the petiton, if you have seen the film, sign the petition. We need as many people pushing and calling and writing e-mails and pestering Disney to get this DVD released. I would love to send a personal letter/e-mail to Micheal Eisner(anyone know how). It's just wrong, when we as a country become so sensitive that a lovely sweet film like "Song of the South" becomes offensive to people. Even a memeber who is still alive today from the cast said, "If Walt Disney were alive, I think I could convince him to release it". Please, don't let Walt's vision die, respect the man, you and I can do this and make it happen, if we just push and push, and keep at it. With your help I know we can get "Song of the Song" released on Region 1 DVD. Please help and sign the petition at http://www.songofthesouth.net. Thanks

[Which Button?]

Originally posted by Which Button?
Ok i fnally saw Song of the South last night its a really good movie i love the animations parts with B'rear Rabbit, Fox & Bear. So good and i love Uncle Remus i love his laugh. Its great to finally understand the Splash Mountain ride and the Zipededoodah song that i liked as a kid.

The movie though is racist because they never say when the movie takes place. Not once do they say wheather or not its after or before the civil war. And it gives the impression that there fairly happy people working on the plantation without any other thoughts. I think people miss that because its really a good movie and thats the only problem why its not released. If they had given a time line and included the other parts of what was going on it would be ok. Most people seem to miss that point while movies like Gone in the Wind and others clearly give a time frame to when the movie takes place.

It be like doing a movie today aboit the Concentration Camps and only portraying the Jews as being happy content people about the situation and not talking about or mentiong the time it took place or what was really happening to them. If they did a movie like that today it get the same treatment as Song of the South even it wasn't made by Disney.

Yes the PC thing is a big part of it and people are PC crazy and bash and ban things without using their Full brain but i don't think that's this film main problem.

I say what i said before.

[Dalvin]

Maybe Disney should license it over to Criterion(Won't happen) but it would be a much better disc I guarantee you of that. There must be something Disney can do. This title is not banned, but is on "permanent moratoreum". There are very few "HolY Grails" left, and I have to say that even with "Star Wars" , I have to say this is the "Ultimate Holy Grail" that has yet to be released/or have a release date in sight. I will be so happy to get this film finally released, and it will happen. It may take some time, but I will not let this thread die, I will not let Walt Disney down, and I will keep posting and calling and e-mailing, until this wonderful story is told once again.......ON DVD!!!!(Can you imagine. "Song of the South" video fully restored. OAR!!!!!!! Dolby Digital 5.1 and possibly a DTS soundtrack!!!!!!!!!) O.K I need to come back from Heaven now.

[Rypro 525]

now watch, when and if this movie ever does get released, everyone will probably say "whats so bad about that?" when they get a chance to watch.

[Dalvin]

People will say that when the film is released. Again, go to that website I have indicated and please sign the petition. The gentelman that runs the website, is a dedicated fan of the movie and he is really pushing to get the film released. Please help the cause. We can do this, if NEARLY ALL dvd talkers help and sign and fight as strongly as I've fought. It will take alot of pressure to do this,but Disney is starting tyo get hounded by over 300 e-mails everyday in regards to this, pounded with e-mailes, and numerous calls about the subject. Believe me, thiswill get released. It WILL happen, but I need your help.

[Which Button?]

I've signed it as i really would like Song of the South on DVD. It is an awesome movie. But it is racist, please read my post before to see what i meant.

[Dalvin]

I'm in agreement with you that this film is a timeless classic, and needs to be released. I have seen the film(I own the Japanse Laserdisc of it before they discontinued it) and I have to say that while you may feel that the film , "is racist" as you have said. I totally disagree. In fact, many of my friends who are African-American find the film to be filled with wonderful symbolism and rich history. The film is interpreted to be "racist" because in today's society, we look at everything under a microscope, and we analyze everything. What about every African-American rapper that says, "Nigga or ******" that music is targeted towards young adults. In many ways, that music is racist towards the very culture it represents. Walt Disney did the unthinkable, when he hired a black gentleman as the lead in the film in 1949! IN fact, his pay that he received from that filom was morte than TRIPLE, yes, TRIPLE that of the WHITE actors. But this is off, topic and Idon't like playing the "race card", because I think its utterly foolish. We all are People, who are brought up in life, some are more prividleged than others, and some have to fight there way more to make it. This film showed both types in society and should be commended for its ability to take risks and push the social and political barriers of its time, instead of being snubbed at because of its "SUPPOSED" lack of politcal correctness.
I greatly await the day that this will be released. Possible 2007 release date? That would mark the 60th anniversary of the film? It would be a nice nod to Walt Disney, and the company to do to this, but I won't get my hopes up. Alsom there are two actual annimators who are still alive that worked on the film!!!! "Frank and Olie Johnson are their names I believe. It would be great to get some interviews with these two living legends to put on the evetual DVD release before they die. And figuring these guys are in their late 80's, I would figure it won't be much longer. I sure hope somebody has interviewed these two gentleman about their involvement with the film, otherwise I will be very dissapointed with Disney

[Which Button?]

I think you keep missing the point its not the fact that all those great factors happened. I mean the movie should be released just on the points you made. Because your right for that time it was incredible.

But they didn't have a time frame for the movie that's what's so offensive and racist about the movie they never say when the film takes place, what's the postion if there slaves or not you just see these black slaves singing and dancing that's the bad part and why it's probably not released.

In a province called Alberta in Canada there was a school teacher who taught his students the Holocaust never happened and that millions of Jews are lieing. You know how offensive that is? Well if you don't it's one of the most offensive things ever.

The Song of the South situation is similar if they had only had a correct timeline and a postion on the black people if they were slaves or not i'd doubt there would be a problem with the film.

[Jackskeleton]

dood! I like signed the petition and I'm like w00t! teh interweb voice will be heard cause Online petitions like ROCK!

[sparks]

...dildo for me too!!! :D

[gfoots]

Originally posted by Which Button?

But they didn't have a time frame for the movie that's what's so offensive and racist about the movie they never say when the film takes place, what's the postion if there slaves or not you just see these black slaves singing and dancing that's the bad part and why it's probably not released.


Your definition makes virtually <i>all</I> movies made in the last 100 years "racist."

[Class316]

Originally posted by Dalvin
Please go to http://www.songofthesouth.net and petition to Disney for them to finally release this classic film. This is an insult to everything Walt Disney stands for. make your voice be known to the powers that be, so they will have no choice but to release, in my opinion, one of Disney's landmark films.

Historically, not a single thing was ever achieved via Internet petitions.

Originally posted by Dalvin
Even a memeber who is still alive today from the cast said, "If Walt Disney were alive, I think I could convince him to release it".

Only two of the cast are still alive today. Miss Sally and the Black boy.

Originally posted by Dalvin
(Can you imagine. "Song of the South" video fully restored. OAR!!!!!!! Dolby Digital 5.1 and possibly a DTS soundtrack!!!!!!!!!)

By the way what is the OAR? I’ve heard conflicting reports.

Originally posted by Which Button?
But they didn't have a time frame for the movie that's what's so offensive and racist about the movie they never say when the film takes place, what's the postion if there slaves or not you just see these black slaves singing and dancing that's the bad part and why it's probably not released.

The blacks are not slaves.

If you remember when Uncle Remus wants to leave he’s leaving by his own free will and no one tells him anything. There’s the proof right there!

[SpinnerX]

Everybody is assuming that the objections to the movie are PC crusades against racist depictions of Uncle Remus and so on, but it's a lot more complex than that. There's a lot of anti-PC rhetoric being tossed around in this thread, but none of it addresses the real issues at hand.

If anybody really wants to understand why many people have bad feelings about this film then read Alice Walker's "The Dummy in the Window".

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0156528657/qid=1064735057/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-2758172-7555317?v=glance&s=books

Excerpt: "I believe that the worst part of being in an oppressed culture is that the oppressive culture--primarily because it controls the production and dispersal of images in the media--can so easily make us feel ashamed of ourselves, of our sayings, our doings, and our ways. And it doesn't matter whether these sayings, doings, or ways are good or bad. What is bad about them and, therefore, worthy of shame, is that they belong to us. Even our folklore has been ridiculed and tampered with. And this is very serious, because folklore is at the heart of self-expression and therefore at the heart of self-acceptance."

Of course we can look at Song of the South today and say that it isn't inherently racist (because it isn't!), but that ignores the real objections that people have to the film.

[movielib]

Originally posted by Class316
...
By the way what is the OAR? I’ve heard conflicting reports.
...

I don't know why there should be conflicting reports. It was released in 1946, years before widescreen became the norm. OAR is the standard Academy Ratio, 1.37:1.

http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0038969/technical

[Dalvin]

Thank you to all of the people who are signing the petition. A gentleman above me said something to the effect of, "Historically nothing ever has come from internet petitions". Well, What about "Star Wars"? This film MIGHT get a release in 2004, and if that happens, you can thank the fans who have pestered and begged and screamed, because the fans really do help to pursuade the studios whether or not these titles get released ahead of schedule. First off, I do think we can get "Song of the South" on DVD, but it is going to take a push like no other push(you thought trying to get "Star Wars" on DVD early was hard....you haven't seen anything yet). This will have to be the "Mother of all internet petitions" I have already called Disney about this.I call them them, I write e-mails, I write letters. If people just keep hounding this company we will get it released.
I also think turning the "race card" against Disney, by someone who is a minority might also work. Calling Disney "Racist for NOT releasing the film, and sharing a part of African-American heritage with the world". The really listen and don't want to offend anyone, so if they see that African-American people(and there would have to be a heck of a lot) complaining about this, then that might work into our advantage.

[Dalvin]

For all you "die-hard" "Song of the South" fans like myself. This is the number directly to Buena Vista Home Entertainment. They handle all requests dealing with "Song of the South" being released on DVD. The number is 1-800-723-4763. Let's keep this petition alive, and PLEASE CALL and let your voice be heard. I think Walt Diseny has rolled over enough times in his grave.

[Darren Garrison]

Gee, the Star Wars films would NEVER be released on DVD if people on web sites hadn't begged for it.

Read:

http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/petition/internet.htm

[Jason]

For all those cowering in fear over political correctness running amock and destroying our cultural values by censoring this movie, please answer this one question?

Just where is the public outrage over this movie, anyhow?

I'm always hearing tales of terror regarding the big, bad, PC boogieman, so I decided to see just what it was that bothered these folks so much.

Now, this is hardly scientific or complete, but google searches can quickly reveal a lot. Using the phrase "song of the south criticism" no relevant links were found, unless you count one user comment on a disney ride review site that simply said it's a shame the characters aren't known to young children.

Using the phrase "song of the south protest" the only relevant link was the following

http://www.museumca.org/picturethis/4_9.html

Which is an article on a protest against this film when it was released in 1947.

"Song of the South Political Correctness" reveals many relevant hits, but they are all decrying the "censorship". I could find no site where someone comes right out and says, "We think this should not be released and here's why." If there is such a force behind the censoring of this movie, they're pretty damn quiet about it. Plenty of people want to censor Eminem, and it's very easy to find their position.

[Which Button?]

I'm not surprised. Like i've said they have alot of mixed messages in this movie and that's what's so racist about it. I know alot of you don't see it but it is theres no mention of their postions if there slaves or free and the time if it takes place before of after the cival war. Once again that's what's so racist. about it.

LIke i've said before try having a film released today about the Jews in the Concentration Camps no mention of their postion or when the film takes place and you see them happy, singing and dancing. And that film would get the same treatment as Song of the South.

Uh Class i know it dosen't look like the Blacks are slaves because they skirted around it and never ever said slaves. But they are. And Uncle Remus ran away and you usually don't ask for permission to run away. Aunt Tempy came with them just to cook supper for fun because she's their friend huh?

[Class316]

Originally posted by movielib
I don't know why there should be conflicting reports. It was released in 1946, years before widescreen became the norm. OAR is the standard Academy Ratio, 1.37:1.

http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0038969/technical

Songofthesouth.net reports it to be 1.75:1

so if it's 1.37:1 does that mean the LD/VHS OAR?

[Class316]

Originally posted by Which Button?
And Uncle Remus ran away and you usually don't ask for permission to run away. Aunt Tempy came with them just to cook supper for fun because she's their friend huh?

He wasn't running away. He was just going.

[PatrickMcCart]

Song of the South is an Academy Ratio film.

Disney didn't use 1.75:1 until the late 1950's on certain films (besides their CinemaScope and Technirama productions).

[Class316]

oh, and http://www.mechanicalarts.com/songsouth.html :lol:

[Dalvin]

I think it will come out. Especially if you call that number and hound them emphatically regarding this. I am devoting alot of time and effort to getting this picture released. Continue to fight the system and this can be done.
I am HOPING and PRAYING that we can pursuage Disney to finally release this in 2007, marking the 60th anniversary of the film. It would be a great time to release it(now would be even better, but it won't happen)

[SpinnerX]

So I guess that those of you still fumbling around in the dark trying to figure out what's so "racist" about SOTS or trying to figure out where the outrage is didn't bother to read my post above?

[Which Button?]

Nope didn't you know Spinner people don't actually read the posts they just rant and rave that Song of the South isn't released yet and continally say it's not Racist.

[Buttmunker]

Patience, mar friends. Since Tom & Jerry is being released in 2004 complete and uncensored, I have faith that Song of the South will follow suit.

[SpinnerX]

Originally posted by Buttmunker
Patience, mar friends. Since Tom & Jerry is being released in 2004 complete and uncensored, I have faith that Song of the South will follow suit.

Those are two completely different things. The controversy surrounding Song of the South is far more complex and troubling than Tom & Jerry's "mammy" stereotypes.

[Class316]

Originally posted by Buttmunker
Tom & Jerry is being released in 2004 complete and uncensored

Complete, maybe. But uncensored? That has yet to be seen.

[Which Button?]

I'm unfamilar with Tom & Jerry mostly other then knowing their name. What was so bad about it?

[pete1974]

Originally the lady who looked after Tom & Jerry was a black lady named "Mammy Two-Shoes" whose face you never saw (in fact all you SAW of her were her lower legs, kinda like "Nanny" on Muppet Babies). Apperently MGM redid Mammy's animation to make her legs a lighter color and dubbed over Mammy's black dialect with an Irish one. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to songofthesouth.net to sign that petition.

[movielib]

Originally posted by Class316
Songofthesouth.net reports it to be 1.75:1
That has to be wrong. Virtually all movies made before 1952 or 1953 were 1.37:1 (there were a few "experiments" with other aspect ratios earlier but not many). There's no reason this film should have been any different. If it were, it would be famous for it.
so if it's 1.37:1 does that mean the LD/VHS OAR?
Yes. they are OAR.

[Dalvin]

I just called Buena Vista and they told me, "We are aware of the continued persitence among fans for this film to be released. We have been bombarded with calls and are reevaluating plans to POSSIBLY revisit this title in the future"

She said....POSSIBLY REVIST......Hmmmm.....maybe their are plans, but they won't release any info at this time.


Again, try ebay.com and see if you can buy a Japansese Laserdisc of it, to see for yourself this film is not in any way racist.

[Class316]

Originally posted by Dalvin
Again, try ebay.com and see if you can buy a Japansese Laserdisc of it, to see for yourself this film is not in any way racist.

Screw a bulky expensive LD! Get it on DVD.

[SpinnerX]

Originally posted by Dalvin
...see if you can buy a Japansese Laserdisc of it, to see for yourself this film is not in any way racist.

Can't you at least pretend to have read and to have considered the viewpoints of those people who object to the movie? Yes, you can look at the movie and say that it isn't racist, but you're completely ignoring the real reasons why it is even an issue. You're looking for bug-eyed Stepin Fetchits and other stereotypes, but that's not what people are objecting to in Song of the South. To understand why people like Alice Walker have a problem with the movie, you need drop the knee-jerk anti-PC agenda and look beyond the film's surface. Your repeated statements about the film's lack of racist depictions makes it clear that you simply aren't taking into account anything beyond that surface.

[The Exister]

Originally posted by SpinnerX
Can't you at least pretend to have read and to have considered the viewpoints of those people who object to the movie? Yes, you can look at the movie and say that it isn't racist, but you're completely ignoring the real reasons why it is even an issue. You're looking for bug-eyed Stepin Fetchits and other stereotypes, but that's not what people are objecting to in Song of the South. To understand why people like Alice Walker have a problem with the movie, you need drop the knee-jerk anti-PC agenda and look beyond the film's surface. Your repeated statements about the film's lack of racist depictions makes it clear that you simply aren't taking into account anything beyond that surface.

I have to agree with you, Spinner.

[Which Button?]

Thats whaat i said before as well Spinner but Dalvin dosen't read the posts he just repeats the same thing.

I think he truly dosen't understand why its not released and only rants PC.

I wish people would read both our previous posts because we have both made excellent points.

[Nick Danger]

I'm not sure what Alice Walker has to complain about. Disney's Aladdin isn't much like the Arabic folk tales, and Sleeping Beauty isn't much like the German tales. Disney has never shown respect for source material. But Walker seems to get bent out of shape when her ox is gored.

At the time the movie was made, movie scenes with black actors were written as stand-alone sequences, so they could be easily cut from the movie for southern distribution. I've seen movies where the black people are in a comic interlude or a song. It's pretty impressive to realize that Disney made a mainstream movie starring a black man.

I saw the movie as a kid and I liked the animated parts, but not the live action.

[SpinnerX]

Originally posted by Nick Danger
I'm not sure what Alice Walker has to complain about. Disney's Aladdin isn't much like the Arabic folk tales, and Sleeping Beauty isn't much like the German tales. Disney has never shown respect for source material. But Walker seems to get bent out of shape when her ox is gored.

Gee, could it have something to do with hundreds of years of racial oppression? You're pretty much missing the entire point if you think that Walker is complaining about the Disney film not presenting a faithful adaptation of those folktales. That's not her gripe. I'll just assume that you haven't actually read "The Dummy in the Window".

For the record, I've always loved Song of the South, but that doesn't keep me from investigating why it is offensive to others.

[Onizuka]

I don't really care what Alice Walker thinks about the movie. Nobody is forcing her to buy a copy. I don't have a problem with Uncle Remus. Funny how no one mentions that Uncle Remus is the wisest person in the movie. I really don't understand what is the big deal with this movie. A black man making friends with a white boy so racist. Now if Uncle remus was giving the white boy crack and talking about reparations that would be racist.

[ZackR]

I don't really care what Alice Walker thinks about the movie. Nobody is forcing her to buy a copy. I don't have a problem with Uncle Remus. Funny how no one mentions that Uncle Remus is the wisest person in the movie. I really don't understand what is the big deal with this movie. A black man making friends with a white boy so racist. Now if Uncle remus was giving the white boy crack and talking about reparations that would be racist.Onizuka: That is pretty much exactly how I feel. And I, for one, DO have an "anti-PC" agenda. I do not think movies should be kept from release for PC reasons ever. I don't care who it offends. I don't care if it offends whites, blacks, blues, greens, Christians, Muslims, Jews or Martians!!!
However, there has not been a huge "outcry" against this film. It is not like Disney tried to release it but changed their mind due to PC reasons. From what I have heard, it is more of a fear of a possible backlash if they release it. It is too bad too. It is funny to me that movies that are much more "offensive" can be released, but this one seems to be stuck in limbo. I seriously do like the idea of Criterion getting their hands on this. How awesome would that be?! They had a deal with Buena Vista at one point, so I guess it could happen. I doubt it though. More likely we'll get it in a Treasures set with a forced 20 minute introduction or something like that. But hey, if it were released as a Treasure or anything else, I would be all over it!!

[DVDave]

If you are interested in showing an interest in Song of the South being released, here is a link I copied from another forum to send a email voicing your desires:


http://disneyvideos.disney.go.com/moviefinder/products/0153103.html


Its even got an option for a DVD version.

Its on the left hand side where it says Not Currently for Sale!

[Dalvin]

THis movie needs badly to be released. I believe 2006(i think it came out in 1946) would mark its 60th Anniversary edition. How perfect would that be, if they released a DVD of this during that time. This would also mark the 20th anniversary since it was last released in the theatres. Please, just release this with NOTHING UNCENSORED. Give us a DTS soundtrack, how about an Introduction by Roy E. Disney. Disney, will you please release this damn film. I want this filom on Region 1 DVD, UNCUT, UNEDITED.

[FatTony]

DEAD HORSE!

[Which Button?]

I second that.

FatTony coulden't have said it better.

[Dacoops3]

Originally posted by Dalvin
Please, just release this with NOTHING UNCENSORED.
I want my Song of the South DVD with NOTHING CENSORED. Be careful what you wish for.... ;)

[Dalvin]

I just heard back from Buena Vista and they seemed to indicate to me that "Song of the South" will be released....they just don't know when. I don't understand why 2006 can't be done.

1) Marks the 60th anniversary of the film!!!!!!! Come on Disney, get you ish together and do something about this. Look, as long as you give me the film with a nice transfer, and re-mix it in 5.1 sound....I will be a happy camper and will givbe you my money. This is also the "Last Great Holy Grail" title to be released(assuming Star Wars comes out next September)

[Class316]

Originally posted by Dalvin
I just heard back from Buena Vista and they seemed to indicate to me that "Song of the South" will be released....they just don't know when. I don't understand why 2006 can't be done.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: there is no sense in trying to comprehend the mind if Eisner, as he has no logic.

[Dalvin]

This is one of the few gems that has still to be released to DVD. Now, that Star Wars has offically been announced for thsi year, "Holy Grails of DVD" are becoming more and more scarce. However, I would have to say "Song of the South" is my #1 all-time "Holy Grail". Maybe Disney plans to release this as a Platinum Edition(wishful thinking?).
Why doesn't Disney distribute this through Criterion, where they could make money off the film, but not have there name attached. In any event, "Song of the South" appears to be the Next Big

[Class316]

Originally posted by Dalvin
This is one of the few gems that has still to be released to DVD. Now, that Star Wars has offically been announced for thsi year, "Holy Grails of DVD" are becoming more and more scarce. However, I would have to say "Song of the South" is my #1 all-time "Holy Grail". Maybe Disney plans to release this as a Platinum Edition(wishful thinking?).
Why doesn't Disney distribute this through Criterion, where they could make money off the film, but not have there name attached. In any event, "Song of the South" appears to be the Next Big

Star Wars O-OT would be the Holy Grail

[Which Button?]

There atre still other Holy Grails itching for release

1. Monster Squad
2. Mr. Boogedy
3. Child Of Glass
4. Bride of Boogedy
5. Great Land of Small
6. Journey To Spirit Island
7. American Dreamer

[Seeker]

Originally posted by Which Button?
There atre still other Holy Grails itching for release

1. Monster Squad
2. Mr. Boogedy
3. Child Of Glass
4. Bride of Boogedy
5. Great Land of Small
6. Journey To Spirit Island
7. American Dreamer

No offense, seriously, buy those are holy grails? Haven't heard of any of them.

I could make my own list, but it seems like holy grails would be movies just about everyone has heard of.

[nazz]

It may not seem to be a Holy Grail to non-fans but a DVD release
of The Beatles Let It Be ranks right up there in my opinion.

[Class316]

Looks like hell has frozen over: http://www.jimhillmedia.com/mb/articles/showarticle.php?ID=1313

[Filmmaker]

"Buena Vista Home Entertainment is also supoosedly toying with approaching a prominent African-American performer to serve as the MC on the DVD version of "Song of the South." You know, someone who could then introduce the film, explain its historical significance as well as re-enforcing the idea that "SOTS" was a product of a much less enlightened time in Hollywood's history. I'm told that -- up until recently -- Bill Cosby was actually at the top of Disney's wish list. But now that Dr. Cosby has been accused of inappropriate behavior with several ladies ... Well, let's just say that Bill is no longer Mickey's top choice for this position."

I'm sure Cuba Gooding, Jr. of SNOW DOGS fame would be up to the challenge...

[Buttmunker]

Hire Denzel Washington. He's top dog of the industry now. Oh, there are many many black people to choose from - Bill Cosby, a reputed racist, is not the best choice.

[Class316]

I don't want ANYONE polluting a SOTS DVD with meaningless jabber dammit!!

Though Bill Cosby is probably a better choice than most black people! At least he was always pro SOTS.

Pray to God we don't get Whoopie Goldberg or Jesse Jackson (in these cases I would officially boycott SOTS on DVD).

Leonard Maltin would probably be ideal just because we're used to his pointy beard telling us not to get oh so emotionally disturbed at a cartoon.

[FILMCZY]

So if Disney does indeed release South of the South on dvd, will they go back and restore the following in Fantasia?:

The original "Pastoral Symphony" segment featured extremely politically-incorrect "pickaninny"-type African American little-girl centaurs who perform servant duties for the female centaurs. These scenes were first edited in the 1969 re-release of the film by physically cutting the offending footage from the film (resulting in an obvious sound jump). For the 1990 and 2000 re-releases, the offending shots were magnified so that Black centaurs do not appear in the frame. The Fantasia Anthology notes the editing of this footage, although the copy of Fantasia that comes with the set is listed as being "The Original Uncut Version."

[Filmmaker]

Buttmunker, you really think Denzel Washington, of GLORY and MALCOLM X fame, will get behind this re-release?

[talemyn]

Buttmunker, you really think Denzel Washington, of GLORY and MALCOLM X fame, will get behind this re-release?Ooh . . . Glory reminds me of another excellent choice . . . Morgan Freeman.


Or, you could follow the Malcolm X route and see if Spike Lee is interested. :D ;)

[Filmmaker]

Riiiiight... ;)

[Dalvin]

I told you guys last year about this possibility and the 'O6 DVD release date, when I called them. I am so happy that this is getting released on DVD FINALLY(does that mean it will be available in HD-DVD as well?). I really could care less about them having some prominent Black leader discuss the ideas behind the film. If they had to do this. A list of Black actors I think that would be good


1) James Earl Jones- He would be at the top of my list. I love his voice, and he commands such respect!

2) Wayne Brady- laugh all you want to. However, Brady appeals to both upper white and Black middle America. A nice choice would be to go with him. One of the most clean-cut African-American entertainers around.

3) Martin Luther King III- The son of the great civil rights leader. It would be great to hear his interpretations of the film, since his dad was so instrumental during this time period. He is very respected on both fronts.

4) Cuba Gooding Jr.

5) Denzel Washington


Personally, I would love to see any of the five and Leonard Maltin together both giving an introduction as to the significance of this piece of film history and discuss its histroical significance relative to its time period.

[William Fuld]

rotfl "film noir"

[calhoun07]

The announcement really deserves it's own thread.

[chess]

film noir?

get that man a dictionary!!!!

...and he was doing so well up until that point.

[Seeker]

As long as the movie is shown in its complete original format - I can ignore the PC garbage.

(And I agree - add PC garbage if you must, but give us the original Fantasia!)

[Josh Z]

Assuming there is any truth to this unconfirmed rumor, let's guess how much of the movie is likely to be altered. I say at least 30%.

[Cameron]

film noir?

get that man a dictionary!!!!

...and he was doing so well up until that point.

noir is french for black....get it....black movie.....

best news all day

[darkhawk]

According to Barrie Maxwell at the digital bits, Song of the South has been cancel and maybe looked onto in the future

[disneyguy]

No Plans to release SOS according to this:

http://www.laughingplace.com/Latest.asp?I1=ID&I2=1073

DG

[dx23]

No Plans to release SOS according to this:

http://www.laughingplace.com/Latest.asp?I1=ID&I2=1073

DG


Already covered here several weeks ago:
http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showthread.php?t=407355&page=4&highlight=Song+of+the+South

I thiink that both threads should be merged.

[mike7162]

I've never seen "Song of the South", or read much about it, other than this forum - is it really as offensive as it's been portrayed? Also, is the film worthy of the kind of passion that's coming across in this and other forums, or is it because it's forbidden fruit? I can't possibly see how a movie like "Birth of a Nation" is readily available, and "SOTS" somehow deserves supression. I've seen films on TCM with Willie Best, Mantan Moreland, etc. that I found extremely offensive; on the other hand, I think all prints of the "Friday" 'trilogy' should be publicly burned. They're more offesive to me than any Disney cartoon could ever be.

[Eric D.]

I'll believe it when I see it.

[ReduxGuy]

I myself wonder if THIS will affect the release of SotS in any way:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wkdHt53IE8&watch2

[whotony]

that tv's funhouse is the funniest yet.

"your supposed to be funny?"

[Jimmy 345]

The only view I ever had of Song of the South. Funny sketch.

[Randy810]

Seeker

American Dreamer has already been release, and is at DDD for rerelease.

[dizzlle01]

Whats the song called in the movie that is played in disneyland?

[Jimmy 345]

Whats the song called in the movie that is played in disneyland?

Zippeedeedoda

[Josh Z]

Zippeedeedoda

Or "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah".

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
My, oh my what a wonderful day!
Plenty of sunshine heading my way
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay

Mister Bluebird on my shoulder
It's the truth, it's actch'll
Ev'rything is satisfactch'll
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
Wonderful feeling, wonderful day!

[ShagMan]

I myself wonder if THIS will affect the release of SotS in any way:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wkdHt53IE8&watch2

OK that cracked me up :)

[Jimmy 345]

I am curious if that will have an effect. That cartoon probably alerted a young audience to the Song of the South situation.

[GeorgeP]

Whats the song called in the movie that is played in disneyland?

Actually, while "Zip-a-dee-doo-dah" IS the only song from SOTS from which the lyrics can be heard in Disneyland, several of the other tunes from the movie can be heard in instrumental versions in the line queues to the Splash Mountain ride.

I have that kitschy (think theme to "Matlock" or "Mama's Family") version of "That's What Uncle Remus Said" on CD. Also, "How Do You Do?" and a WAY-too-jaunty version of the spiritual sung in mourning for the little boy near the end (I forget the title - anyone?) are also played while you're in the main queueing area for Splash Mountain.

So Disney is using the characters and songs from "Song of the South" to augment its original theme park experience - just very subtly.

[Class316]

haaa that video is pretty good :D

[B5Erik]

I was just on Splash Mountain on Monday. I was telling my wife how Disney has been unwilling to release this movie on DVD, but they were perfectly willing to base an entire ride on the movie at their premiere theme park!

She looked at me like, "WTF??? What's up with that??"

[ThatGuamGuy]

She looked at me like, "WTF??? What's up with that??"

It's been long enough since I've been there that I have no real memory of it (I was three or so), but I'm guessing that the ride, unlike the movie, doesn't have slaves singing about how happy they are to be slaves, or give off the general sense that the South wasn't so bad and slaves were quite content and not mistreated.

I'm not a big fan of Disney's choice in this matter, but I get surprised when people act as if they don't understand why Disney is choosing to do it.

[Subgeniusguy]

It's been long enough since I've been there that I have no real memory of it (I was three or so), but I'm guessing that the ride, unlike the movie, doesn't have slaves singing about how happy they are to be slaves, or give off the general sense that the South wasn't so bad and slaves were quite content and not mistreated.

Since the film takes place after the Civil War, slaves are not portrayed in the film either. The movie has some obvious sterotypes including whites (the poor white trash family). The portrayal of the poor white trash family is no less offensive than the black stereotypes portrayed. The songs in the film don't expressly mention slavery and IMHO are some of the best featured in any Disney film. The film has a lot of positive elements but they are founded on a warped social caste system. I can understand Disney's desire to exploit elements of the film (the music) but distance itself from the film as a whole.

[GeorgeP]

but I'm guessing that the ride, unlike the movie, doesn't have slaves singing about how happy they are to be slaves, or give off the general sense that the South wasn't so bad and slaves were quite content and not mistreated.

If you have seen the movie anytime recently, you should understand that this is not what the film is portraying at all.

[The Cow]

It's been long enough since I've been there that I have no real memory of it (I was three or so), but I'm guessing that the ride, unlike the movie, doesn't have slaves singing about how happy they are to be slaves, or give off the general sense that the South wasn't so bad and slaves were quite content and not mistreated.

So... you've never seen the movie. Got it.

[ShagMan]

So... you've never seen the movie. Got it.

:lol: So true...

[klandersen]

I've never seen "Song of the South", or read much about it, other than this forum - is it really as offensive as it's been portrayed? Also, is the film worthy of the kind of passion that's coming across in this and other forums, or is it because it's forbidden fruit? I can't possibly see how a movie like "Birth of a Nation" is readily available, and "SOTS" somehow deserves supression. I've seen films on TCM with Willie Best, Mantan Moreland, etc. that I found extremely offensive; on the other hand, I think all prints of the "Friday" 'trilogy' should be publicly burned. They're more offesive to me than any Disney cartoon could ever be.

The only thing that is Offensive in it is the Slaves appearing to be happy because they are slaves, and singing happy-go-lucky songs.

I think audiences of today will look at it and say "What was the big deal about it?". It was only during the last revival back in 1985? that the movie was voluntarily pulled from distribution. About 10/15 years ago Disney released it on limited VHS and Laser Disc (copies of which occasionally pop up on Ebay and sell for a couple $100). A US website apparently is selling DVD copies of it for about $20. As far as I know those copies are illegal copies from a Laser Disc print.

[majorjoe23]

Whatever you say, KLANdersen. ;)

[Joe Molotov]

Where do people get this "slaves singing about how happy they are to be slaves" stuff? I think Disney's refusal to release SotS has made people believe it's actually worse than it really is.

[Quatermass]

Where do people get this "slaves singing about how happy they are to be slaves" stuff? I think Disney's refusal to release SotS has made people believe it's actually worse than it really is.

I think you are right. I saw it when I was a kid at a theater. No, I'm not THAT old, but Disney used to re-release all their stuff about every 7 years. It was the late 70's just before the advent of home video. I did not ever get the impression that Uncle Remus was supposed to be a slave, and I don't think there is anything in the movie to indicate that. I do remember that I didn't really like the movie. I guess I couldn't relate to it, other than the bright colors and happy songs.

[Rogue588]

Frankly, I haven't seen this in a while but i'm in the process of "obtaining" it. I'll have to keep an eye out for da happy slaves..

[Subgeniusguy]

The only thing that is Offensive in it is the Slaves appearing to be happy because they are slaves, and singing happy-go-lucky songs.

Since the film takes place after the Civil War, slaves are not portrayed in the film either. The movie has some obvious sterotypes including whites (the poor white trash family). The portrayal of the poor white trash family is no less offensive than the black stereotypes portrayed. The songs in the film don't expressly mention slavery and IMHO are some of the best featured in any Disney film. The film has a lot of positive elements but they are founded on a warped social caste system. I can understand Disney's desire to exploit elements of the film (the music) but distance itself from the film as a whole.

It's the sterotypes that are offensive. One positive element of the film aside from the music is the relationship between the black man and white children which was uncommon to see on screen at that time. Also, the most talented people in the film are black. James Baskett was obviously very talented and played two roles in the film. It's a shame that in the time in which he lived, his on screen roles were very limited. This film is important in showcasing his talent. This movie is an important part of our cultural legacy no matter how hard it is for us to face it. For it to be hidden is to forget the mistakes it makes. I don't feel this movie promotes racism. I think in today's society it tells us a lot about where we've been and where we should be headed even if it does not accurately portray the time period it is set in. I still understand why Disney won't release it but I hope they do not allow the film to be destroyed by time. If only they would license it to Criterion.

[mijorico]

I was just thinking about this movie tonight. I believe a lot of people opposed to releasing it either don't really remember it, or have never seen it. I understand the sensitivity to the subject matter, but I also think it wouldn't do harm to create a dialogue on that subject matter between parents and their children. There are parents out there who subject their kids to much more offensive, much more damaging films than this.

I re-watched the film not too long ago, on VHS, and I think it's been hyped as being much worse than it actually is. Uncle Remus is a great character, and this is a great story. Audiences are being deprived of some of the most colorful animated characters in Disney history. I think it's a shame most only know of Brer Rabbit, Brer Bear, and Brer Fox from a theme park ride.

[Reservoir]

Never seen this film but I assume it's the version on tomorrow morning on the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctwo/listings/programmes.shtml?day=sunday&service_id=4284&filename=20060827/20060827_1000_4284_53366_95)?

[achau9598]

yep, that's the one ... that's pretty cool. I wonder if they are airing it to see if there is any reaction.

[Reservoir]

I'm not aware of the film ever having issues in the UK. I've not read this entire thread but I assume some small-minded people think it's racist? I've not seen the film but I'd assume it's off its time and should be seen as being such. I'll watch it tomorrow and decide.

I'll copy this to NTSC DVD and upload it if anyone wants it? Just joking! Donny Rumsfeld may have me killed.

[Reservoir]

Well, I've been reading up on the film and I'm amazed Disney's first live action (http://www.tomheroes.com/images/COMICAD%20song%20of%20the%20south.jpg) film (and Oscar winner to boot!) isn't on official DVD (unofficial cover here (http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/5455/songofthesouthus7.jpg))

It's a shame this film has been 'banned' in the USA but I wonder if it really has?

I find all old films rather silly, racist, ignorant and even murderous -but that's a film's job 60 years ago. The film should be left alone (note: George Lucas) and people can make of it what they like. That is why the USA and Britain have killed 100,000 people in Iraq is it not? Democracy and Freedom to choose.

Fuck, yeah.


The BBC will have a nice print of this and there's no adverts/commercials as it's the BBC.

[RichardW]

The BBC will have a nice print of this and there's no adverts/commercials as it's the BBC.

Man, that's cool! I'd give anything to be able to have the chance for that to air on television commercial-free so I could record it to DVR.

[Dalvin]

If only Roy Disney took over for Eisner instead of the new guy

[Cameron]

better explanations of the cancelations, and "banning" (by banning I means Disney not allowing it to surface)..can be found in the other thread...

New Song of the South info and articles (http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showthread.php?t=407355)

[marty888]

... I assume some small-minded people think it's racist? I've not seen the film but I'd assume it's off its time and should be seen as being such.

True - the recent DVD release of <i>Cabin In The Sky</i> has a statement presented before the film expressing that exact sentiment, which is discussed on the commentary track

[Seeker]

I still have this on laserdisc, but still want it on dvd.

[Reservoir]

How can the film with zippay-dee-doo-dah-zippay-dee-day be banned! :D


Just finished watching it and really enjoyed it. There's no way anyone who believes in freedom of speech can think for a minute the film is racist and it's unfair to bring it to the future and pick away at it now. As I said it's of its time. If you don't want to see it don't watch it.

The BBC image is good (has subtitles) and I've put the first 100 seconds here (http://rapidshare.de/files/30937053/BBC_Song_of_The_south.mpg.html) (click the Free button and wait for the countdown and enter the 2-3 digits).

So, let's hope this appears sometime soon fully restored as it should be. If it can appear at 10 o'clock in the morning in the UK then there's no reason we can't have a DVD. If Disney don't provide one I don't see what's stopping other people as this film is out of copyright (public domain) in several places.

[RichardW]

It's pretty sad that for the film's 60th anniversary, Disney releases a snowglobe instead of a nice DVD. :(

http://as7disney.images.go.com/is/image/DisneyShopping/96254?$zoom$

[Subgeniusguy]

I'm just glad to see it aired. I'll take that as a positive sign. I'm glad I don't live in UK considering the protests and riots that must be occurring since SOTS aired. Have the BBC studios been set ablaze yet?
Seriously though, was there any reaction? Did they have to air a disclaimer with it? Is the UK just not as racially charged as the US? I think the media in the US would really try to fuel the controversy whether there were any real controversy or not if it were to air here. I think the longer the film is kept from public veiwing, the more peoples' misconceptions of it will grow. I would like to see Disney announce a release to see what if any public outcry there would be. There's been no backlash to the realeasing of cartoons from WB and Disney that depict racial stereotypes. My only fear is that if it is ever released, we would have to endure a horrible direct to video sequal like they've done with all their other properties.

[Reservoir]

I'm just glad to see it aired. I'll take that as a positive sign. I'm glad I don't live in UK considering the protests and riots that must be occurring since SOTS aired. Have the BBC studios been set ablaze yet?
Seriously though, was there any reaction? Did they have to air a disclaimer with it? Is the UK just not as racially charged as the US? I think the media in the US would really try to fuel the controversy whether there were any real controversy or not if it were to air here. I think the longer the film is kept from public veiwing, the more peoples' misconceptions of it will grow. I would like to see Disney announce a release to see what if any public outcry there would be. There's been no backlash to the realeasing of cartoons from WB and Disney that depict racial stereotypes. My only fear is that if it is ever released, we would have to endure a horrible direct to video sequal like they've done with all their other properties.

SOTS is not on the radar (another great British invention incidentally :D) in the UK and I'm not aware of it ever having been.

I can't comprehend the problem (if there really is one) with the non-appearance of the film in the USA. The USA spews out much nastier dross every day to the world film watching community. SOTS is a classic and it should be seen.

As much as I don't like looking to the past the British were always smart enough to ship Africans direct to the Americas so we don't have these really deep seated racial problems that are ingrained in the USA. We have of course had riots by British blacks (and Asians and 'whites' in the last 5 years) but this has passed now as we prefer to concentrate on shooting British Muslims (whether they are racially black, Asian or white) and ask questions later.

I personally think more African-Americans hold more power in the USA so that's maybe why there's the thought that SOTS is beyond the pale. That may be a type of racism in itself. That may be the key for those wanting to see a release, get a petition up by right thinking Americans (of all races) and say if they don't release it, it's a form of racism.

[Just Lurking]

This was posted over on WDW Magic (http://www.wdwmagic.com) by poster about comments made at Disney's recent stockholder meeting in New Orleans.

Beyond that ... The only other news that might interest all you hardcore Disneyana fans out there is that the company is now revisiting its decision not to release "Song of the South" on DVD. When quizzed by Carol Koster about the current status of this 1946 Walt Disney Productions release, Iger first expressed his concerns about the film. Wondering aloud if it would actually be possible for today's audiences to put this picture in the proper context.
But Bob (while making no promises about what might happen next with this historic motion picture) then went on to say that " ... we will look at ("Song of the South") again. And Richard Cook (I.E. The Chairman of Walt Disney Studios) would be in charge of that effort."

We can only hope. :)

[Bill Needle]

If I can appreciate Triumph of the Will in the proper context, I'm pretty sure I can handle Song of the South.

[H8nXTC]

What are the mulitple copies of the DVD version selling on ebay now for over $100 (that includes the tar baby scene)?

[mickey65]

What is the version selling on ebay now for over $100?

Most likely the Laser Disc version.

[Josh Z]

What are the mulitple copies of the DVD version selling on ebay now for over $100 (that includes the tar baby scene)?

Bootlegs, that's what they are.

[Commander Dan]

This was posted over on WDW Magic (http://www.wdwmagic.com) by poster about comments made at Disney's recent stockholder meeting in New Orleans.

Wondering aloud if it would actually be possible for today's audiences to put this picture in the proper context.

How insulting.

[mickey65]

Bootlegs, that's what they are.

I bought mine at a flea market for $20. I had to watch it since I hadn't since I was little (saw it at the drive-in when I was little).

I found it pretty boring, and turned around re-sold it on my eBay pretty quick and got my money back plus a few dollars more.

I just don't get the "demand" for it - it's NOT that great of a movie. It's pretty lame if you ask me!

[calhoun07]

I just don't get the "demand" for it - it's NOT that great of a movie. It's pretty lame if you ask me!

Well, that settles it! Cancel all discussions to get this on DVD! ;)

[Josh Z]

I bought mine at a flea market for $20. I had to watch it since I hadn't since I was little (saw it at the drive-in when I was little).

I found it pretty boring, and turned around re-sold it on my eBay pretty quick and got my money back plus a few dollars more.

I just don't get the "demand" for it - it's NOT that great of a movie. It's pretty lame if you ask me!

Yes, it's not a very good movie. Much like Salo, the demand for it is based entirely around its controversy and its unavailability.

[speedyray]

Yes, it's not a very good movie. Much like Salo, the demand for it is based entirely around its controversy and its unavailability.

Ok, I agree to an extent, but movies do not have to be good for people to want them. I mean they release crap every week that stinks, alot of them far worse than both the movies you just talked about and people buy them. One man's garbage is another man's treasure.

[Buttmunker]

the movie is far from trash. It was a technical marvel for its time - the blending of animation with live action? Superb! And the songs are all wonderful, the stories between Br'er Rabbit and his nemesises are great, and the overall harmony is something that can be looked at by our young generation to give a happy feeling about the past. The black people sang and danced, were not treated badly, and were portrayed as nannies to the white children. Everybody loved everybody, and that's what the world needs now. A little more of that sentiment. Ban the hatred-spewed pieces like Roots if you want to; don't ban the light of the world.

[ken_572002]

Yes, it's not a very good movie. Much like Salo, the demand for it is based entirely around its controversy and its unavailability.

Absolutely untrue.

[Lastdaysofrain]

the movie is far from trash. It was a technical marvel for its time - the blending of animation with live action? Superb! And the songs are all wonderful, the stories between Br'er Rabbit and his nemesises are great, and the overall harmony is something that can be looked at by our young generation to give a happy feeling about the past. The black people sang and danced, were not treated badly, and were portrayed as nannies to the white children. Everybody loved everybody, and that's what the world needs now. A little more of that sentiment. Ban the hatred-spewed pieces like Roots if you want to; don't ban the light of the world.


Wha!!?? So you're saying Ban the realistic stuff like "Roots" and keep the fantasy rose colored glasses movies that present slavery and opression in an unrealistic and potentially damaging way? Interesting.

All that being said Disney should release the film, it's a film from a specific time and place and political view point and it exists, you can't completely rewrite history.

[mijorico]

Wha!!?? So you're saying Ban the realistic stuff like "Roots" and keep the fantasy rose colored glasses movies that present slavery and opression in an unrealistic and potentially damaging way?

Not to nitpick, but Song of the South takes place after the Civil War, no? So they're not slaves.

I agree that it's unnecessary to say "ban these types of movies before you ban Song of the South". Aside from like a snuff film, I see very little reason to completely ban any film.

If they're so worried about Song of the South warping children's minds, slap a restriction on there, or something. But don't try sweep it under the rug and forget about it. Obviously, people aren't forgetting about that movie. By not releasing it, I think they're just creating more controversy because they're letting people's imaginations run wild as they speculate on why it must be so bad. I re-watched it a few years ago, and for the life of me I can't see what is so objectionable.

I would bet that most children who'd watch it would only pay attention to the animated bits anyway. I know that's what I remembered most about the movie. And if you watch it with your kids (novel idea, I know), what's the worst that happens? You have a dialogue about that time in American history? God forbid.

[Josh Z]

Absolutely untrue.

Untrue for you, maybe. Personally, I spent a pretty penny to obtain the Japanese laserdisc edition, just due to the movie's reputation and rarity. Then I watched it and regretted it pretty quickly. I don't find the movie at all racist or objectionable on those terms. I do find it tedious and annoyingly schmaltzy, just like all Disney live action productions from the period. That lead child actor is absolutely horrible in every second he's on screen.

If it weren't for the controversy, the movie would likely be forgetten in the dustbin of film history along with other lesser Disney productions like Pete's Dragon. There would be a small contingent of fans who remember it fondly, but it would garner nowhere near the demand that Disney's A-titles do (Snow White, Fantasia, Sleeping Beauty, etc.).

[TheJoker]

I just remember the Zip a dee do dah part because thats the only scene I had from the sing along tape.....

[starman9000]

If they're so worried about Song of the South warping children's minds, slap a restriction on there, or something.

Im sure they don't really care about warping children's minds, its more the PR nightmare that would probably follow the release.

[mijorico]

Im sure they don't really care about warping children's minds, its more the PR nightmare that would probably follow the release.

True. But they could include a restriction to pacify some of the people who would object to its release.

Personally, I don't think there'd be nearly the uproar Disney is apparently worried about. They'd catch some shit, but it would die down soon enough.

I think there's more people in an uproar over the fact that this hasn't been released yet, than there are people who object to its release. As with most films certain sectors of society object to, I would bet a good percentage of those opposed to a release of Song of the South have never even seen it.

[ThatGuamGuy]

Wha!!?? So you're saying Ban the realistic stuff like "Roots" and keep the fantasy rose colored glasses movies that present slavery and opression in an unrealistic and potentially damaging way? Interesting.

Wha!!?? That wasn't sarcasm?

[Peep]

Untrue for you, maybe. Personally, I spent a pretty penny to obtain the Japanese laserdisc edition, just due to the movie's reputation and rarity. Then I watched it and regretted it pretty quickly. I don't find the movie at all racist or objectionable on those terms. I do find it tedious and annoyingly schmaltzy, just like all Disney live action productions from the period. That lead child actor is absolutely horrible in every second he's on screen.

If it weren't for the controversy, the movie would likely be forgetten in the dustbin of film history along with other lesser Disney productions like Pete's Dragon. There would be a small contingent of fans who remember it fondly, but it would garner nowhere near the demand that Disney's A-titles do (Snow White, Fantasia, Sleeping Beauty, etc.).

If you find all of the Disney live action productions from that era horrible, exactly what were you expecting??

Just because you bought into the hype and paid more for something than you think it was worth, doesn't mean that it isn't worth that (or more) to true fans. I saw this movie again and liked it just as much as I did as a kid. I loved the animated parts and the songs and didn't think much of the live-action format.

I'd buy it if it was released on DVD, but I wouldn't pay a premium for it. Sorry to hear that you did.

[ThatGuamGuy]

There would be a small contingent of fans who remember it fondly, but it would garner nowhere near the demand that Disney's A-titles do (Snow White, Fantasia, Sleeping Beauty, etc.).

To be fair, he said it was untrue that the demand was "based entirely around its controversy and its unavailability", and you have now confirmed that it is untrue that the demand would be *entirely* based on those two things.

[Josh Z]

To be fair, he said it was untrue that the demand was "based entirely around its controversy and its unavailability", and you have now confirmed that it is untrue that the demand would be *entirely* based on those two things.

Fine. Almost entirely. :)

[calhoun07]

Im sure they don't really care about warping children's minds, its more the PR nightmare that would probably follow the release.

It wouldn't be a PR nightmare if they had just put it out in the midst of all their other releases in the early days of DVD. As somebody else pointed out, it would probably be regarded with the same fervor of Pete's Dragon if they had just put it out. Disney made this bed of hype all on their own, but I also have to wonder just how big that bed of hype actually is?

Now an average movie that deserved an average release gets an extraordinary amount of attention whenever discussion comes up about it, but where outside of forums like this does that happen? I don't see Bill O'Really going on end about Disney's war against our movie history by not releasing it, it's not brought up all the time in the media on shows like ET and Extra that this DVD is not getting released. A small but dedicated few of us on the Internet swarms on discussions like this..are we going to rock the boat when this DVD gets released, if it gets released? Where would the backlash come from? Other small groups, I suppose, but by far I bet the average Joe Six Pack customer would just buy it and enjoy it because they remembered it from their childhood.

[Josh Z]

A small but dedicated few of us on the Internet swarms on discussions like this..are we going to rock the boat when this DVD gets released, if it gets released?

Well, you know, it sure worked for Snakes on a Plane.

Oh wait...

[TexasDVDer]

Well, the song did win an Academy award. I still have memories (old memories now) of the song being sung as Uncle Remus walked down a road.

My memories of this movie are obviously filtered through the eyes of the child I was but I don't recall anything objectionable about the movie. I would like the chance to buy the movie and see it again.

[Wildo1966]

Sad to say but I don't think Disney will EVER release SOTS on dvd, they don't want the hassle it will cause...

[Lastdaysofrain]

I saw this when Disney re-released it in theatres in the early 80s (? I was very small, under 5 I think) and wasn't too into it.

Is it offensive? Maybe, probably in fact, but it does in fact exist. Would it be financially viable for Disney to release it? Probably not. That's more the bottom line.

[mijorico]

Would it be financially viable for Disney to release it? Probably not.

I disagree. In fact, I'd say the controversy would only pique the public's interest even more. Boycotts almost always backfire.

Michael Richards' tirade only helped boost the sales of Seinfeld. And that was far more offensive than anything in this movie.

People would want to see what the big deal is.

[Buttmunker]

Let me just say this. Last year, I went online and found a UK version of this, and they converted it to a VHS for U.S. VCR's, and paid $100.00 for the service. I gave it to my 90-year old grandmother for her birthday, and she was so delighted! She was like a kid at Christmas!! It gave me the greatest feeling to give this to her - she thought she was going to die before ever seeing this beautiful film again, and I answered her prayers.

A film like that can bring happiness to people. That's the bottom line. Release the f@$king thing already!

[whotony]

I saw this when Disney re-released it in theatres in the early 80s (? I was very small, under 5 I think) and wasn't too into it.

Is it offensive? Maybe, probably in fact, but it does in fact exist. Would it be financially viable for Disney to release it? Probably not. That's more the bottom line.
saw it when you were under 5 about 20 years ago.

how do you remember if it was offensive ot not offensive.

it really isnt offensive.
the only part of the story that was depicted as not in a good way were the adults who were white people.
uncle remus is a hero in this story.

[calhoun07]

Well, you know, it sure worked for Snakes on a Plane.

Oh wait...

I don't recall much Internet buzz about the movie Snakes on a Plane...I recall a lot more Internet buzz making fun of the title of the movie. Why studio heads were shocked that didn't translate into ticket sales is beyond me.

[LucaBrasi]

I find it highly ironic that a bunch of old fat white men don't think that deciding what black people should be offended by isn't in itself offensive.

[mijorico]

I find it highly ironic that a bunch of old fat white men don't think that deciding what black people should be offended by isn't in itself offensive.

Nothing like fighting ignorance with ignorance.

[dx23]

Another article stating that the heads at Disney are "thinking" whether they are going to release Song of the South or not:

http://community.livejournal.com/ohnotheydidnt/11553882.html

[Just Lurking]

Another article stating that the heads at Disney are "thinking" whether they are going to release Song of the South or not:

http://community.livejournal.com/ohnotheydidnt/11553882.html

Quote from the article - "The question of 'Song of the South' comes up periodically, in fact it was raised at last year's annual meeting ..." Iger said. "And since that time, we've decided to take a look at it again because we've had numerous requests about bringing it out. Our concern was that a film that was made so many decades ago being brought out today perhaps could be either misinterpreted or that it would be somewhat challenging in terms of providing the appropriate context."

I wonder how many request that they average over any giving of period of time. If they are actually revisiting their decision to release SOTS then how has the average request rate has changed in recent years.

[Giles]

I know this has already been said, but I find it amazing that Warner Bros. does bring up the racial issues, acknowledges it, condones it but doesn't censor it's films/animated shorts, Disney on the other hand, just either quietly cuts the films or tries to bury them.

[Mr. Plow]

I know this has already been said, but I find it amazing that Warner Bros. does bring up the racial issues, acknowledges it, condones it but doesn't censor it's films/animated shorts, Disney on the other hand, just either quietly cuts the films or tries to bury them.There are a few cartoons that Warner has locked away and or censored. My problem is instead of hiding these release them and try to make the public understand the context of the time in which they were made. Alot of the "forbidden" cartoons from WB were made during wartime and used as propaganda tools. It is part of our history and shouldn't be white washed.

[bhk]

http://www.katu.com/news/entertainment/6747267.html

Despite controversy, Disney could unlock 'Song of the South'
Christian Willis poses with a collection of "Song of the South" memorabilia at his home in Mission Viejo, Calif.
Story Published: Mar 28, 2007 at 8:26 AM PST

Story Updated: Mar 28, 2007 at 8:26 AM PST
By Associated PressORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Walt Disney Co.'s 1946 film "Song of the South" was historic. It was Disney's first big live-action picture and produced one of the company's most famous songs - the Oscar-winning "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah." It also provided the inspiration for the Splash Mountain rides at Disney's theme parks.

But the movie remains hidden in the Disney archives - never released on video in the United States and criticized as racist for its depiction of Southern plantation blacks. The film's 60th anniversary passed last year without a whisper of official rerelease, which is unusual for Disney, but President and CEO Bob Iger recently said the company was reconsidering.

The film's reissue would surely spark debate, but it could also sell big. Nearly 115,000 people have signed an online petition urging Disney to make the movie available, and out-of-print international copies routinely sell online for $50 to $90, some even more than $100.

Iger was answering a shareholder's inquiry about the movie for the second straight year at Disney's annual meeting in New Orleans. This month the Disney chief made a rerelease sound more possible.

"The question of `Song of the South' comes up periodically, in fact it was raised at last year's annual meeting," Iger said. "And since that time, we've decided to take a look at it again because we've had numerous requests about bringing it out. Our concern was that a film that was made so many decades ago being brought out today perhaps could be either misinterpreted or that it would be somewhat challenging in terms of providing the appropriate context."

"Song of the South" was re-shown in theaters in 1956, 1972, 1980 and 1986. Both animated and live-action, it tells the story of a young white boy, Johnny, who goes to live on his grandparents' Georgia plantation when his parents split up. Johnny is charmed by Uncle Remus - a popular black servant - and his fables of Brer Rabbit, Brer Bear and Brer Fox, which are actual black folk tales. (An honorary Oscar to James Baskett for his portrayal of Uncle Remus.)

Remus' stories include "The Tar Baby," a phrase Republican presidential hopefuls John McCain and Mitt Romney have been criticized for using to describe difficult situations. In "Song of the South," it was a trick Brer Fox and Brer Bear used to catch the rabbit - dressing a lump of hot tar as a person to ensnare their prey. To some, it's now a derogatory term for blacks, regardless of context.

The movie doesn't reveal whether it takes place before or after the Civil War, and never refers to blacks on the plantation as slaves. It makes clear they work for the family, living down dirt roads in wood shacks while the white characters stay in a mansion. Remus and other black characters' dialogue is full of "ain't nevers," "ain't nobodys," "you tells," and "dem dayses."

"In today's environment, `Song of the South' probably doesn't have a lot of meaning, especially to the younger audiences," said James Pappas, associate professor of African-American Studies at the University of New York at Buffalo. "Older audiences probably would have more of a connection with the stereotypes, which were considered harmless at the time."

Pappas said it's not clear that the movie is intentionally racist, but it inappropriately projects Remus as a happy, laughing storyteller even though he's a plantation worker.

However, Pappas said he thinks the movie should be rereleased because of its historical significance. He said it should be prefaced, and closed, with present-day statements.

"I think it's important that these images are shown today so that especially young people can understand this historical context for some of the blatant stereotyping that's done today," Pappas said.

From a financial standpoint, Iger acknowledged last year that Disney stood to gain from rereleasing "Song." The company's movies are popular with collectors, and Disney has kept sales strong by tightly controlling when they're available.

Christian Willis, a 26-year-old IT administrator in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., started a "Song of the South" fan site in 1999 to showcase memorabilia. He soon expanded it into a clearinghouse for information on the movie that now averages more than 800 hits a day and manages the online petition.

Willis said he doesn't think the movie is racist, just from a different time.

"Stereotypes did exist on the screen," he said. "But if you look at other films of that time period, I think `Song of the South' was really quite tame in that regard. I think Disney did make an effort to show African-Americans in a more positive light."

Though Willis is hopeful, there's still no telling when - or if - the movie could come out (beyond its copyright lapsing decades from now).

In a statement to The Associated Press, Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Disney's distribution arm, said: "`Song of the South' is one of a handful of titles that has not seen a home distribution window. To this point, we have not discounted nor committed to any distribution window concerning this title."

Gives me hope but I'll believe it when I see it.

[Lecithin]

Just let me know when I should sell off my imported LaserDisc version from Japan before the market price plummets upon a US DVD release.

[Giles]

Just let me know when I should sell off my imported LaserDisc version from Japan before the market price plummets upon a US DVD release.
same here.

[MBoyd]

Little late . . .but in a couple of minutes there is a Song Of The South discussion on Paula Zhan Now on CNN.

[Giles]

Little late . . .but in a couple of minutes there is a Song Of The South discussion on Paula Zhan Now on CNN.

and...? let us know what was said.

[JerryKILL]

I just watched this via an international release on an obsolete medium, ahem, anyway, the film was actually a little too syrupy for my tastes...that is to say, even for a Disney film everything was just sooo sacharine-happy. The cartoon interludes were definitely the best part, tar baby and all. I thought it was no more offensive than any other film from that era with black stereotyping. If you want offensive, try listening to most anything on the current Top 100 Hip Hop charts...

[wildcatlh]

and...? let us know what was said.

Transcript:

"Out in the Open," possible plans to bring a controversial Disney classic out of the studio vaults of Disney. I'm talking about the film "Song of the South." Disney is now considers reissuing this movie on video and on DVD. Now, critics say the problem is that this movie is blatantly racist, blatantly offensive to African Americans, yet a growing number of people believe that it's about time that the movie is in fact, re-released. Interesting argument. Here's entertainment correspondent Brooke Anderson with this one. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BROOKE ANDERSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Disney's 1946 movie "Song of the South" has been locked in the company's vaults for decades. Never released for home viewing in the United States even though it won an Oscar for its song, "Zipideedoodah" and inspired the Splash Mountain rides at Disney's theme parks.

For years, the film has been blasted as racist for the way it depicts southern blacks. The primary character, Uncle Remus, is seen as a servile, happy go lucky simpleton bubbling over with "ain't nobody"s, "ain't never"s and "you tells them"s. A stereotype that for many dangerously glamorizes the harsh reality of post-slavery America.

NAJEE ALI, PROJECT ISLAMIC HOPE: That film is racially demeaning, it is insulting and it's offensive. It's a painful reminder of our past where blacks were depicted as buffoons.

JAMES BASKETT, ACTOR: I knows that.

ANDERSON: Civil rights advocate Najee Ali is glad the film has been locked up all these years. And wants it to stay that way.

ALI: The Disney corporation is going to find out very soon that if they do release this film that African-Americans will be outside protesting, that bringing back up that painful reminder is a slap in the face to our ancestors.

ANDERSON: Despite the potential backlash, Disney chief Bob Iger is considering releasing the film saying quote, "There were depictions in the film that viewed in today's world might not be viewed as kindly or as politically correct as perhaps they may have been n that time. But we have decided that we would look at it again."

Niger Innis from the Congress of Racial Equality is well aware of the film's rocky history with blacks.

INNIS: James Baskett was the first live black actor hired by Disney to do this. Could not go to the premier of this film in Atlanta because he could not get a hotel room that would sleep him for the night because of segregation.

ANDERSON (on camera): However, unlike Ali, Innis believes Disney has been wrong to block the movie. He does want the studio to release the film as long as it's accompanied by special features to educate fans.

INNIS: For example, you could very easily have a documentary, the making of the film, Song of the South." Use entertainment to really educate and show a little bit of American history.

ANDERSON (voice-over): Should Disney decide to put the film on DVD, the title stands to become very profitable.

CHRISTIAN WILLIS, WWW.SONGOFTHESOUTH.NET: This is my first item. ANDERSON: Christian Willis has spent a decade collecting anything and everything related to "Song of the South." He says the film's fan base is massive.

WILLIS: I would say that there are hundreds of thousands of people out there that are hopeful.

ANDERSON: More than 118,000 people have signed a position now located on Willis' Web site urging Disney to make the move.

WILLIS: They all want to see this movie released. They don't see anything wrong with it.

ANDERSON: For now, fans and foes will have to wait and see if Disney's "Song of the South" buzzes onto store shelves or once again if the studio decides that would be a Zippitydoo-don't. Brooke Anderson, CNN, Hollywood.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANCHEZ: Like I even have to tell you, right, that this is going to be a perfect topic for our "Out in the Open" panel. Joining us again, Roland Martin, Niger Innis, who you just saw in Brooke's piece, by the way. You look very handsome, I should add.

PEREZ: That was a good looking guy there. What happened?

SANCHEZ: Miguel ...

INNIS: Cheap shot.

SANCHEZ: Miguel Perez. Equally handsome.

PEREZ: Thank you.

SANCHEZ: Should people see this again? Should people see this again?

MARTIN: I think first and foremost there are a number of movies that are out that were done during that period of time. If you applied that standard, don't show "Gone with the Wind." If you applied that standard, don't show an Al Jolson, don't show folks in blackface.

There's a lots of movies.

SANCHEZ: Don't show Moses. There were slaves in that one, too. Don't show "Roots."

MARTIN: Don't show Bill Bojangles.

"Roots" is a little different, again.

And the movie - in fact, the 30th anniversary of that movie is this Sunday and is being show on another network. The point is there are a number of movies that are being broadcast. That we see. So that -- it's a different kind of deal here.

SANCHEZ: So historically if it's put in perspective, it's OK? Is that fair?

MARTIN: But there are a number of movies that are not put in perspective. They are just shown on television. You can buy them in video stores. This is a different standard because Disney chose to lock it away in its vault.

INNIS: And let me tell you something. Roland is right. Not only a number of movies, but "Song of the South" is one of those movies that has been released as recently in this country in 1986 and it's been released in Europe in and Asia.

SANCHEZ: What do you feel like as African Americans when you watch this and when you watch people creating ridiculous caricatures of African Americans? At a time when it was done all the time?

MARTIN: First of all, I am more offended by the caricatures and the ignorance that I see in some movies today than I am in this particular movie.

SANCHEZ: Really?

MARTIN: Absolutely. Because, first of all, this is 2007. I mean, I understand that -- you know, in terms of what that setting was, at the same time, what also offends me is when they act like it didn't happen. So I'm not jumping up and down in terms of, oh Disney, don't release this film again. I'm more offended by what I hear and see today than this particular film.

SANCHEZ: There is a particular guy that wants this released. He's apparently got an ax to grind in this thing. This is what he says, I'm going to read it to you.

Will, if you could, put it up on the screen for us.

He says, "I must stress that Disney used only innocent stereotypes, that is, stereotypes that do not make fun of characteristics of people or things."

That's Christian Willis, by the way.

MARTIN: What does that mean?

SANCHEZ: It's interesting. He runs the fan site for "Song of the South."

Do you think that's harmless? Is there a difference?

PEREZ: I guess some people want us to think that they were happy slaves. Those two things just don't go together. I mean, it's a myth to try to make people believe. SANCHEZ: A stereotype is a stereotype is a stereotype.

PEREZ: A stereotype is a stereotype.

SANCHEZ: The only difference is the person who's being stereotyped tends to take it a little differently than the person who's not. It's all about perception.

INNIS: That's for sure. You don't want to create an artificial, superficial image of what life was like. And the interesting thing about this movie, "Song of the South," it was based on a number of articles written by Joel Chandler who was a white boy, a real person, a white boy that grew up around former slaves and got these stories. Black folklore stories from these former slaves and here you have this rich piece of history. It was actually printed in the "Atlanta Journal-Constitution" in the 1870s or 1880s.

Here you have -- Disney has this opportunity to grasp the bull by the horns and Roland is dead right. There are so many movies that are the reflection of that period and the mindset of whites against blacks. Here's an opportunity to do something educational.

MARTIN: Bill Bojangles and Shirley Temple. Come on, take your pick.

PEREZ: To answer your question, it should be released so that it can stimulate this kind of debate, so that we can educate people. I mean, this is going to fight ignorance.

INNIS: A whole generation of Americans that need to know what life was life after the Civil War. And even in 1946 when this was released.

SANCHEZ: And if this even fosters intelligent discussion in this realm, then it is a good thing.

MARTIN: Absolutely. As Niger said, if we understand the back story. We couldn't go to the film, Hattie McDaniel, when she couldn't do certain things, she won on Oscar. Again, when you understand that, if puts it in context versus just the film.

SANCHEZ: You guys have been great. Can you come back?

MARTIN: We'll try.

SANCHEZ: Roland Martin, Niger Innis, of course and Miguel Perez. Thanks to all three of you gentlemen.

[The Valeyard]

Thank you for posting that. Very interesting. Some good points made and my fingers are crossed.

[brianluvdvd]

MARTIN: But there are a number of movies that are not put in perspective. They are just shown on television. You can buy them in video stores. This is a different standard because Disney chose to lock it away in its vault.


Most telling quote in the whole transcipt.

If Disney had not made such a big deal about the film themselves, I really doubt people would give that much of a shit today. Most people who blast the movie either haven't see the movie or haven't seen it in 20+ years.

If and when it is re-released, there are going to be a lot of disappointed people on both sides of the fence if they want controversy. I own a bootleg of the dvd and watched it recently and it is so tame, I wonder if most blacks will likely puzzle over what the big deal was once they see it. Hell, if anyone should be pissed it should be white people in the way they are portrayed in the movie.

And if they get pissed about the dialect in the film, then get pissed about Roots and every other film ever made dealing with blacks from the past. Wasn't "Ebonics" championed for by the black community just a few years ago?

And as an above poster mentioned...why don't they have this harsh criticism toward the current rap & hip-hop songs of today? I hear (both literally & figuratively) far worse stereotypes in that than was ever housed in Song Of The South.

[Feathers McGraw]

As usual, it's obvious none of those idiots have even seen the movie and know what the hell they are talking about.

Evidently, they have no problem portraying the "angry black man" stereotype themselves. :rolleyes:

And woe to the world should we ever see a kindly black man portrayed on screen.

[dx23]

Doesn't anyone else find ironic that Innis first name is Niger? That is similar to a white man being named Craker or a latino being named Spic.

[Rockmjd23]

Doesn't anyone else find ironic that Innis first name is Niger? That is similar to a white man being named Craker or a latino being named Spic.
I remember some controversy a few years back when one of the news networks listed his name as "****** Innis".

[dx23]

I remember some controversy a few years back when one of the news networks listed his name as "****** Innis".

For real? Wow! That is such a mega blunder.

Back on topic:

I really like the idea of releasing the film with many educational supplements of African American history. They should include many balck actors talking about the film and the perception of african americans in 40's and 50's and how things have evolve throughout the years. Denzel and Sidney Poitier would be amazing narrators for these supplements/documentaries that could accompany the film.

[The Infidel]

It's sad that people can't just accept something for what it is and not read things into it unnecessarily. It's just a story that happens to take place in a certain time in history. That's it. Disney didn't put this thing together to say, "Look at the black people in all their inferiority! See how they serve the white man! See how uneducated they are!" He took an existing work of literature and told the story of a young boy dealing with the separation of his parents through the stories of a kindly gentleman who lived on his grandmother's plantation. To suggest anything even slightly evil in intent with and within this movie is absolutely ludicrous, and whoever suggests so needs to stop and take a look at their own morals, values, prejudices and priorities.

From a sales standpoint, this is such a simple concept for Disney. I don't have numbers, but I will assume for the sake of this argument that more people than not want to see it released. Simple supply and demand. This is guaranteed revenue. Release it. If someone doesn't like what's on it, they don't have to buy it. So those people might boycott you and not buy your future products. So what? If they're going to base their opinion of your company and items you may offer in the future on one thing they don't agree on, then you don't need their business anyway! Remember those more people than not? They're the ones who are keeping you in business...not the small-minded minority (no pun intended) who can't just call a duck a duck.

[wm lopez]

If only the people that protest about SONG OF THE SOUTH would do the same to Hip-Hop, Rap, Gangsta music. How can anyone worry about a black man singing ZIP-PEE-DO-DA and not give a hoot about calling woman BITCHES & HOES.
Think which one makes the race look bad?
A group tried to ban SPEED GONZALES last year, but when mexicans said SPEEDY was alright they didn't ban SPEEDY GONZALES.

[Lecithin]

The black folks in this movie are ALL portrayed as decent, kindly, good people. The villains are the po' white trash family that live near the dopey white kid's plantation and the mean old bull, and maybe the overprotective white mom. The comment about the white people being more offended by the portrayal of their race in this movie was quite correct.

As for sweeping the reality of racism under the rug by portraying everyone as content and happy, it's a DISNEY movie! Do you think chimney cleaners really enjoy their crappy jobs as much as Dick Van Dyke did?

Seems like the self-appointed racial spokespeople and professional on-air complainers need to have things both ways. Either an old movie brings up bad memories of slavery and racism by showing people of that race in the movie, no matter the context and even if their portrayal is too "sanitized"; or the complaint is that there are no people of color in the film and it is therefore, also unrealistic and of course, racist.

[The Infidel]

Precisely. Who in the hell is still alive today to have bad memories of slavery, anyway? It happened to your ancestors. It was a bad situation. It's over now. Deal with it.

Also a previous good point about looking for things in today's media that actually portray blacks in a bad light. Lots of movies and music to pick from.

[GatorDeb]

If you Google Song of the South DVD, you get tons of sites selling Song Of The South on DVD. Apparently it was released for Disney Paris in a limited run. Anyone own it? It has to be legal to sell it and to buy it, right? It doesn't appear to be a bootleg. It seems to be a bona fide Disney limited release.

[strawberryshortcake]

I don't know about the authenticity of those "Paris limited" releases, but those available on-line are likely bootlegs. I ordered one not too long ago and had to return it upon arrival. It was still sealed, but the cover artwork was a dead give away.

I don't know if there in fact is a genuine released.

[Michael Corvin]

AFAIK the only DVDs of Song of the South are bootleg transfers of the Japanese LaserDisc.

[TomOpus]

Not that there would ever be a thread about this DVD....:D

http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showthread.php?t=318022

[GatorDeb]

This is specifically about the Paris releases :)

Here's one such website:

http://www.songofthesouthdvdremastered.com/

[ernestrp]

Their Faq says its remasterd from the laserdisc.

[GatorDeb]

Sorry wrong link.

Here's what I'm talking about:

http://www.parisdvds.com/welcome6.html

[VAMPYRE XX]

I own the original Japanese Laserdisc

[The Lizard King]

AFAIK the only DVDs of Song of the South are bootleg transfers of the Japanese LaserDisc.
If the DVD has burned-in (non-removable) Japanese subtitles, then yes.

If the DVD is subtitle-free, then chances are that it's a bootleg transfer of the Hong Kong LaserDisc.

BTW, the PQ of the Japanese LD >>>> PQ of the HK LD.

TLK :cool:

[The Lizard King]

I own the original Japanese Laserdisc
And we're all very proud of you.

TLK :cool:

[The Lizard King]

Sorry wrong link.

Here's what I'm talking about:

http://www.parisdvds.com/welcome6.html
It's the Hong Kong LaserDisc transfer bootleg DVD. I must admit, they did a better than average photoshop job with the cover art, insert art, and disc art.

BTW, you can torrent this bootleg DVD and burn a copy for yourself for pennies.

TLK :cool: