UltimateDisney.com / DVDizzy.com

Luke · Site Admin Joined: 17 Apr 2003

It’s Kermit’s Anniversary!

CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF BEING GREEN
WITH A QUARTET OF MUPPET MOVIES

WALT DISNEY HOME ENTERTAINMENT COMMEMORATES
KERMIT THE FROG’S MILESTONE ANNIVERSARY WITH RESTORED AND
REMASTERED FAMILY FAVORITES ON DVD

Featuring Wacky New Bonus Materials, Available November 29

BURBANK, Calif., August 12, 2005 – In celebration of Kermit’s 50th Anniversary, Walt Disney Home
Entertainment will release four anniversary edition Muppet films on DVD November 29, 2005. Restored
and remastered, THE MUPPET MOVIE, THE GREAT MUPPET CAPER, THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS
CAROL and MUPPET TREASURE ISLAND are all coming packed with new bonus features and are
available for $19.99 (SRP) each. The re-release of these classic family favorites is just one of many
celebratory initiatives planned this year to celebrate the world’s most beloved frog.

THE MUPPET MOVIE

ichabod · Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 2:59 pm Post subject:

NOOOOOOOOOO!

Why reformatted fullscreen???????!!!!!!!!!! Evil or Very Mad

I had these on preorder, but not for much longer!!!

Escapay · Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:05 pm Post subject:

Shit.

Well, since I never saw them in their original widescreen, I'll still buy them. But I'm still freakin' pissed that it's not in its OAR.

And why oh why do they continue to push that stupid shrimp?

Escapay
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Edge · Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:11 pm Post subject:

grassmonk · Member Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Location: Utah

Man oh freakin' man. I was so looking forward to owning Treasure Island and Christmas Carol. I passed on the current releases because of the MAR. Looks like I'll be passing again. I refuse to give Disney money for this garbage. I'll be emailing and calling to protest, as well (politely, to be sure--I want positive results).

Edit: here is a text of the email I just sent to Disneyinfo@Disneyhelp.com. I thought maybe someone might like to use it as a template.

---- cut here ----

I recently came across the press release for the four Kermit's 50th Anniversary Muppet DVD reissues (for The Muppet Movie, The Great Muppet Caper, The Muppet Christmas Carol, and Muppet Treasure Island) at http://www.ultimatedisney.com. I was very disappointed to learn that, according to the press release, all four DVDs will be issued with the modified aspect ratio of 1.33:1 instead of with an anamorphic widescreen transfer in their original aspect ratios (1.85:1, if memory serves).

I currently own the now out-of-print release of The Muppet Movie, and have wanted to purchase The Muppet Christmas Carol and Muppet Treasure Island for quite some time, but have not purchased the last two by reason of the modified aspect ratio on the current releases. When I first heard about the Kermit's 50th Anniversary reissues a few weeks ago I was very excited, hoping to finally be able to view those two particular Muppet films in their original widescreen form. I am saddened to say that I will not be purchasing the new DVDs if the press release is, in fact, accurate, and the films are presented with the modified aspect ratio.

I speak only for myself, but I hope for many others, when I say that I would be at the store on release day to purchase the new DVDs if they were properly presented. I would even be glad to wait a few extra months, if that was what it took to get the DVDs done the right way.

I sincerely hope that the press release I read was in error and the four DVDs will be issued with anamorphic widescreen video transfers. It would truly be a shame to keep the DVDs out of my collection simply because the Disney Company refuses, for whatever reason, to present "restored and remastered" versions of the films with the entire film image intact.

---- cut here ----
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That Announcer · Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:24 pm Post subject:

I posted about this at Muppet Central, and the anger captured in my post there couldn't be matched a second time. So, what you're about to read is a copy of my MC post. Ahem:

"Mark my words. These so-called "special" editions of these movies will not sell. They aren't even special. They are chopped films with lousy special features that I personally hope nobody buys.

Disney, haven't you learned your lesson yet? The last time you tried to release MCC and MTI in pan-and-scan only, they barely sold and hundreds (if not thousands) expressed their disapproval, including Brian Henson himself! That's right! The very man who directed the films did not want pan-and-scan only releases, and yet, you put them out! And not only did you put them out once, you're about to do it again. Who do you expect to buy these? Copies of the Tri-Star TMM and GMC releases are not that hard to find.

The most insulting part of it all: we know you have the widescreen transfers at least for MCC and MTI, and almost certainly TMM and GMC. You've released MTI in widescreen everywhere but here, and MCC in widescreen at least in South America. Why bother releasing cropped films when so many people will not buy them? Why go against the director's wishes (as directly conveyed to you)? Why chop a film? Why would you go against what has been clearly shown to give you more sales? Why would you do this? WHY? WHY? WHY?"
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buffalobill · Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 4:02 pm Post subject:

I called & emailed Disney. I told the CSR that as we spoke thousands of preorders across the nation are being cancelled at places like Amazon & DDD. I was very nice & so was the CSR who said she would pass the comments along. I was considering all 4 but was definitely going to buy Christmas Carol & Treasure Island but NO Sale.
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AwallaceUNC · Platinum Edition Joined: 11 Dec 2003

OUTRAGEOUS Evil or Very Mad

I, too, called Disney and told them that I no longer plan on purchasing any of these unless they are released in anamorphic widescreen in their original aspect ratios, in which case I would surely buy them on the release date. Let's hope there's a large enough of an outcry over this to make a difference. I need my Muppets in OAR! Sad

I'll be emailing Disney too. I encourage everyone here to make a phone call, send an email, and pass the word along to any friends you may have who are also Muppets fans and potential consumers to do the same. Head Shake

-Aaron
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MickeyMousePal · Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 4:21 pm Post subject:

Well I don't know if I'll be getting the four Muppets Movies maybe when Best Buy does a 2 for $20 deal. Very Happy

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Timon/Pumbaa fan · Walt Disney Treasure Joined: 12 Feb 2005

I'm not sure if I'll get this. I love the Muppet movie but why is it in full-screen? Sad

Gregorian Chant · Gold Collection Joined: 26 Jul 2005 Location: Memphis

(to the tune of The Rainbow Connection) everybody sing . . .

Why are there all these pan and scan movies,
and why aren't they O-A-R?
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STASHONE · Limited Edition Joined: 14 Jun 2003

you can't be serious... is Disney just sloppy with their press releases or are they really this clueless?

I don't believe it.

psifreek27 · Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 5:20 pm Post subject:

i called and expressed my dislike about the choice, and she said she wasnt aware of any aspect ratio information but that she would pass on my comments about my dissaprovall to the marketing dept.

i told her i puchased the previous titles but was hoping the new ones would be OAR, and that many older muppet fans are looking forward to this release.

well see

everyone keep calling!!!
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JiminyCrick91 · Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 5:46 pm Post subject:

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Crying or Very sad

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Disneykid · Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 5:52 pm Post subject:

No widescreen, no sale. Sorry, Disney. You could've easily earned another 80 bucks from me had these been in their OAR. I'm currently taking these off of my DVDAficionado wishlist. Here's hoping at the slim chance that this press release is screwed up, otherwise, I now have more money to spend on other studio's DVDs, all of which are OAR.
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That Announcer · Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 5:53 pm Post subject:

I fired off an irate E-mail to Disney earlier on. Here's the full text of that message:

JiminyCrick91 · Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 7:24 pm Post subject:

Maby its just a crule joke or justa typo like the Ghostbusters I and II set. Sad

Maby................
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Escapay · Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 7:56 pm Post subject:

Nausica's biggest fan · Gold Collection Joined: 30 Apr 2005

I just bought the The Muppet Show: Season One and hoped to and these movies to my collection ,I guess not now.
I hate pan and scan so much. Very Angry

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Cameron · Gold Collection Joined: 17 Feb 2005

no sale
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