Beauty and the Beast

While it may be a tale as old as time, the House of Mouse's 1991 adaptation of the romantic fairytale popularized in the 18th century by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont proved that Disney's "new" strategy of going back to the basics with meticulously animated updates of classic fairytales (begun with the smash 1989 hit The Little Mermaid) was right on track, both commercially and critically. In fact, Beauty and the Beast would earn the distinction of being the only animated film ever nominated for Best Picture (a category for which it did win a Golden Globe). Walt Disney Home Video invites viewers to be their guests for this handsomely packaged double-disc "Platinum Edition," which features three editions of the film (original, special [with one added musical number, "Human Again"], and early work-in-progress versions) boasting the voice talents of Paige O'Hara as the bibliophile heroine Belle, Robby Benson as the glowering Beast, and Jerry Orbach, David Ogden Stiers, and the radiant Angela Lansbury as enchanted household implements Lumiere (a candelabra), Cogsworth (a clock), and Mrs. Potts (a teapot), respectively. Sporting a gorgeous new digital transfer and room-encompassing Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, the set is also loaded with extras, including an engaging audio commentary (on the special edition), the excellent 53-minute "making of" retrospective "A Tale as Old as Time," numerous featurettes (on Disney animation, production, music, etc.), music videos, and several games (including the "Break the Spell" adventure game, with several mini-obstacle courses that took me nearly an hour to complete, although the reward--a video highlights montage--is hardly worth the effort). One of Disney's best, rightly given the red carpet treatment, this animated classic is highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (R. Pitman)[Blu-ray Review—Oct. 26, 2010—Walt Disney, 3 discs, 92 min., G, $39.99—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 1991's Beauty and the Beast sports a great transfer with DTS-HD 7.1 sound. Blu-ray extras include two versions of the film (standard and extended editions), a storyboard picture-in-picture option, audio commentary by producer Don Hahn and co-directors Kirk Wise and Gary Trousdale, the epic production documentary “Beyond Beauty” (157 min.), an “Early Presentation Reel” featurette (35 min.), “The Story Behind the Story” featurette (25 min.), “Composing a Classic” on the score (20 min.), “Broadway Beginnings” on the stage version (13 min.), deleted scenes (28 min.), two versions of “Beauty and the Beast” music videos by Celine Dion and Jordin Sparks, a sing-along mode, “Bonjour, Who Is This?” and “Enchanted Musical Challenge” games, and trailers. Also included are a bonus DVD copy of the film and the BD-Live function. Bottom line: a wonderful Blu-ray debut for one of Disney's finest.][Blu-ray Review—Sept. 20, 2016—Walt Disney, 85 min., G, $39.99—Making its second appearance on Blu-ray, 1991's Beauty and the Beast: 25th Anniversary Edition features a great transfer and a DTS-HD 7.1 soundtrack. Extras include three versions of the film (original theatrical, special edition, and sing-along), audio commentary (by directors Kirk Wise and Gary Trousdale, producer Don Hahn, and composer Alan Menken), the behind-the-scenes featurettes “Menken & Friends: 25 Years of Musical Inspiration” (19 min.), “Always Belle” (12 min.), “#1074: Walt, Fairy Tales & Beauty and the Beast” (10 min.), “25 Fun Facts” (6 min.), and “The Recording Sessions” (4 min.), a sneak peek at the upcoming live-action film (2 min.), a song selection option, trailers, additional digital bonus features, and bonus DVD and digital copies of the film. Bottom line: this is recommended for those who don't already own the original Blu-ray release.]