Directed by: Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske
Starring: Barbara Luddy, Larry Roberts, Bill Thompson, Bill Baucom, Peggy Lee
Distributed by: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
MPAA Rating: G
Running time: 75 minutes
Film: 5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 5 out of 5 stars
Almost 60 years after its release “Lady and the Tramp” looks better than ever. Although it is honestly not a surprise since Disney seems to out due itself with each new restored film that they release on Blu-ray. Disney’s frame-by-frame restoration pays off as this Blu-ray is absolutely perfect. The Blu-ray presentation is so crystal clear throughout. The colors are so sharp and vibrant throughout the animation. The sound is also superb boasting Disney’s usual DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1. Another added bonus of this release is the fact that Disney even included a 3.0 audio track of the film’s restored original audio. This is an obvious must for Disney fans.
The story of “Lady and the Tramp” still feels relevant to today’s audience both old and new. This film really captures you in its romance and makes you lean closer to your husband/wife. I mean that spaghetti and meatball scene renders you utterly mushy. When you start the film, you also have the option to watch with an introduction by Diane Disney Miller (Walt Disney’s daughter), who talks about her father and his love of “Lady and the Tramp”.
Like Disney’s past releases, there is definitely no shortage of special features. “Inside Walt’s Story Meetings” is an audio commentary track with a dramatic recreation with voice actors of Walt Disney’s story meetings. Must listen for animation fans. If you use the Disney’s Second Screen app on your iPad or PC, you will be able to sync the film to create a real interactive experience. “Diane Disney Miller: Remembering Dad” is a short feature which features Miller remembering her father. It is a great insight into Walt Disney from a different perspective. There are almost 20 minutes of deleted scenes, though told via storyboards. There is also a never recorded song called “I’m Free as the Breeze” which was written in 1946 by Ray Gilbert and composed by Eliot Daniel. It was cut because Lady was decided not to sing in the film.
If all that isn’t enough there are all of the classic DVD features from past releases, although only in SD, rounding up another three hours of extras. Included is a seven-part featurette called “Lady’s Pedigree: The Making of Lady and the Tramp”, which runs about an hour. “Finding Lady: The Art of the Storyboard,” and “Original 1943 Storyboard Version of the Film” focus on the storyboard process of the film. “The Siamese Cat Song: Finding a Voice for the Cats” and “PuppyPedia: Going to the Dogs” are fun and aimed for kids. One of my favorite songs from a Disney movie, “Bella Notte” has a music video included. There are three theatrical trailers and four clips from “Excerpts from Disneyland TV Shows” and two more deleted scenes. Overall, Disney does not disappoint again!
