The Black Cauldron
 

I know the current Disney DVD while letterboxed is not 16x9 enhanced, and needs a good clean-up/restoration - but knowing that it is not one of Disney's "treasured" classics, I did see at DTS Images (formerly Lowry Images) has restored it, so hopefully in the near future, Disney will release a Special Edition of the movie. I'd like to see them include the scenes that were clipped by Jeff Katezenberger and Michael Eisner seeing that they thought the film was too intense, or something like that. One thing I don't want them to change is the soundtrack. The current release sounds like they used the original Dolby 6-Track 70mm soundtrack, which for a sub-par release sounds increadibly good.

Yeah, I am also surprised this hasn't been announced as a platinum edition or some kind of 2 disc set. It came out in the first wave of Disney DVDs about 8 years ago or so (AFAIR), so hopefully it will be brought out of the vault soon.

The Black Cauldron is the movie that almost ended Disney animation. I'm not surprised that they're in no hurry to give it a special edition.

Those are the kinds of movies that need Special Editions the most. Tron had it's share of problems too, and the feature-length documentary on the SE was great.

Co-sign, I enjoyed the Tron material and was shocked how much they put into that set.

Black Cauldron is one of my favourite disney flicks.

No singing + Army of the Undead = AWESOME.

Disney should try to locate the original uncut version of the film and release this with all it's filmed animation and basically give Katzenberg the finger for cutting this film.

I find it rather odd, that the 35mm prints according to IMDB are actually wider than the 70mm engagements of the film:

Technical Specifications for
The Black Cauldron (1985)
Film negative format (mm/video inches)
35 mm (horizontal)

Cinematographic process
Super Technirama 70

Printed film format
35 mm
70 mm

Aspect ratio
2.20 : 1
2.35 : 1 (35 mm prints)

of course IMDB has been wrong on a somewhat consistent basis.

I'd buy a good two-disc set in a second.

Yeah I think this was one of the last movies to be shot in Technirama, at least since Sleeping Beauty. I do remember the trailer stuck on the begining of the Pinocchio VHS that it had a Dolby 6-Track Stereo Soundtrack.

ShagMan - I'm in Pensacola

Needs to be a 2-disc with the original cut in remastered 16x9, 5.1 Home Mix, DTS, the original 6-track surround, Elmer Benstein music track, commentaries, features on the history of the Chronicles of Prydain series, the movie, its controversies, and the like, deleted scenes, character designs, trailers, and what else Disney wants/needs to do.

Also, I'd love an introduction by John Hurt. :D

EDIT: Wait, I forgot. A few days ago, I came across this:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/825513661

I think that's right actually. The aspect ratio of 70mm is about 2.20:1. For a 2.35:1 AR on 35mm, an anamorphic squeeze is done. The reason 70mm is so liked by cinema enthusiasts is because you don't have to do any squeezing to get the extra resolution, so it looks that much better.



I can't recall if I've ever seen this, but everything I've ever read about it sounds pretty interesting.

Just an FYI, the R2 version of The Black Cauldron is 16:9. Just got it recently from amazon france. Worth the couple of bucks til a good US re-rerelease.

is the R2 version just a 16x9 version of the R1 release, or is it a "cleaned up - restored edition"?

Re: The Black Cauldron
 

I saw a preview on the Bolt DVD where they are coming out with a new special edition.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI3esiWWi-s

Re: The Black Cauldron
 

That announcement isn't coming fast enough.

Re: The Black Cauldron
 

I loved this movie, and even had the PC game of it that was put out. :)

Re: The Black Cauldron
 

Oh HELL YES.

Re: The Black Cauldron
 

Any word on the edits being put back into the film?

Re: The Black Cauldron
 

^ personally I think those clipped scenes are now long gone. I wouldn't hold my breath.

Re: The Black Cauldron
 

But there are supposedly 10 minutes of deleted scenes, so we will find out soon enough. Although this seems like another lesser Disney title on the short end of the stick.

I really wish they would put some more substantial stuff on these so-called Special Editions which have a 5 minute featurette, a game, and maybe a trailer.

Especially since the Platinum Editions are asking for the same price.....

Re: The Black Cauldron
 

Ooh, a GAME!

Re: The Black Cauldron
 

hmmm, which reminds me: the last time I was at Disney World I purchased a press-kit for 'The Black Cauldron' I wonder where I put that?

Re: The Black Cauldron
 

question; was the 6-track surround mix created for the 70mm engagemets - split stereo surround or five front channel/mono surround configured?

Re: The Black Cauldron
 

Loved that game and it's numerous levels of gameplay. I always saved the pig at the beginning. And at the end, a few times I chose to be rich instead of restore Gergi. :D