Patrick McCart
05-25-2001, 11:39 AM
Here's the letter, folks:
Mr. Roy Disney
c/o The Walt Disney Company
500 South Buena Vista St.
Burbank, CA 91521-0004
Dear Mr. Disney,
The films that your uncle, Walt Disney, are among the greatest motion pictures ever made in the short history of cinema. Films like Dumbo, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and Fantasia are mentioned when discussions about the great classic movies are started. These films are some of my all-time favorites.
When I heard the news about Walt Disney's 1940 production, Fantasia, was being released on DVD for the first time, I eagerly anticipated the film's new release. I purchased the excellent boxed set of Fantasia, Fantasia/2000, and the set-only supplemental disc, Fantasia Legacy. Not only was Fantasia presented in a beautiful restored edition, but the digital video quality of the movie added so much.
Unfortunately, I found that the Fantasia DVD presented a censored version of the film. I had already known that the "Pastoral Symphony" segment of the film included racial stereotypes that are not tolerated now in society. Past re-releases of this film, including the 1991 videotape, have been edited to remove these scenes. I do understand that this censoring may have been made to show sensitivity to some racial groups. What I do not understand is that the film was censored so horribly, that I do not wish to watch this segment of the film anymore. Where there was once precise imagery, there was now grainy enlargements of the offending scenes. I was really hoping that this presentation of Fantasia would live up to the inscription on the box, "Walt Disney's Original Uncut Version."
I have learned that some DVD releases of other classic films have been edited, but for far less important reasons. Make Mine Music was edited to remove the "Martins and the Coys" segment. Saludas Amigos was edited to remove scenes of characters smoking. Melody Time was edited to remove scenes of Pecos Bill smoking and also lighting his cigarette with a lightning bolt.
I would like to mention that I personally have viewed these scenes in their entirety via the internet. The scenes are a reminder of the times. The efforts that the producers of this DVD make no difference. By trying to sweep ethnic stereotypes under the area rug, it is making this situation even worse. Even if the Disney DVD department chooses to censor these scenes, people still know and will know about these scenes. Please do a favor to animation fans and to all consumers everywhere and reinstate these scenes in their original form. I understand that these cuts were made in order to market the film as a family video, but people are paying for this product and do not deserve anything less than what they paid for. One suggestion would to have a disclaimer on the disc’s box stating that this film features content that may offend some. Another option on the disc could have the uncut, original version of the Pastoral segment and also the crude, edited version prepared by the DVD department.
I am writing to you, Mr. Disney, because you have a large part in your uncle's company. Please re-issue Fantasia, Make Mine Music, Melody Time, and Saludas Amigos in their full original versions, without any censorship or at least an option of viewing the original version. Many people and I will regain confidence in Disney Home Video if these films are treated justly.
I'd write to Mr. Disney too...anyone who has any of the censored DVD's should write...or if you're interesting in buying it.
Please post anything that I should add or detract or change :)
Mr. Roy Disney
c/o The Walt Disney Company
500 South Buena Vista St.
Burbank, CA 91521-0004
Dear Mr. Disney,
The films that your uncle, Walt Disney, are among the greatest motion pictures ever made in the short history of cinema. Films like Dumbo, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and Fantasia are mentioned when discussions about the great classic movies are started. These films are some of my all-time favorites.
When I heard the news about Walt Disney's 1940 production, Fantasia, was being released on DVD for the first time, I eagerly anticipated the film's new release. I purchased the excellent boxed set of Fantasia, Fantasia/2000, and the set-only supplemental disc, Fantasia Legacy. Not only was Fantasia presented in a beautiful restored edition, but the digital video quality of the movie added so much.
Unfortunately, I found that the Fantasia DVD presented a censored version of the film. I had already known that the "Pastoral Symphony" segment of the film included racial stereotypes that are not tolerated now in society. Past re-releases of this film, including the 1991 videotape, have been edited to remove these scenes. I do understand that this censoring may have been made to show sensitivity to some racial groups. What I do not understand is that the film was censored so horribly, that I do not wish to watch this segment of the film anymore. Where there was once precise imagery, there was now grainy enlargements of the offending scenes. I was really hoping that this presentation of Fantasia would live up to the inscription on the box, "Walt Disney's Original Uncut Version."
I have learned that some DVD releases of other classic films have been edited, but for far less important reasons. Make Mine Music was edited to remove the "Martins and the Coys" segment. Saludas Amigos was edited to remove scenes of characters smoking. Melody Time was edited to remove scenes of Pecos Bill smoking and also lighting his cigarette with a lightning bolt.
I would like to mention that I personally have viewed these scenes in their entirety via the internet. The scenes are a reminder of the times. The efforts that the producers of this DVD make no difference. By trying to sweep ethnic stereotypes under the area rug, it is making this situation even worse. Even if the Disney DVD department chooses to censor these scenes, people still know and will know about these scenes. Please do a favor to animation fans and to all consumers everywhere and reinstate these scenes in their original form. I understand that these cuts were made in order to market the film as a family video, but people are paying for this product and do not deserve anything less than what they paid for. One suggestion would to have a disclaimer on the disc’s box stating that this film features content that may offend some. Another option on the disc could have the uncut, original version of the Pastoral segment and also the crude, edited version prepared by the DVD department.
I am writing to you, Mr. Disney, because you have a large part in your uncle's company. Please re-issue Fantasia, Make Mine Music, Melody Time, and Saludas Amigos in their full original versions, without any censorship or at least an option of viewing the original version. Many people and I will regain confidence in Disney Home Video if these films are treated justly.
I'd write to Mr. Disney too...anyone who has any of the censored DVD's should write...or if you're interesting in buying it.
Please post anything that I should add or detract or change :)