Dumbo

BUY IT

General		Extras
Category	Family	Theatrical Trailer(s)	None
Rating		Other Trailer(s)	None
Year Released	1941	Commentary Tracks	None
Running Time	61:11 minutes	Other Extras	None
RSDL/Flipper	No/No	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Movie
Region	2,4	Director	Ben Sharpsteen
Studio Distributor	Warner Home Video	Starring	Herman Bing Billy Bletcher Edward Brophy Jim Carmichael Cliff Edwards Verna Felton Noreen Gamill
Case	Amaray
RRP	$34.95	Music	Oliver Wallace Frank Churchill

    Since there are unlikely to be too many people reading this who do not know the story of Dumbo, I will in this instance forgo the usual plot synopsis. Suffice to say that here we have the origins of the quintessential Walt Disney family film, a heartwarming story of the triumph of the individual over the obstacles placed before them. Sure it has a happy ever after ending to it, but that is precisely the reason why generation after generation returns to this film for enjoyment and education. From beginning to end this still has so much humour, love, sadness and joy that despite repeated viewings it never, ever loses its appeal. I doubt that too many who have ever seen this film will deny that the odd tear was brought to their eye by the moving scenes of Dumbo with his caged mother. And who can ever forget the glorious Pink Elephants on Parade? Well, those great scenes are now before us in digital format that we can enjoy over and over again without fear of ever wearing out the disc.

    Rejoice people for a genuine classic of motion pictures is here in Region 4 to treasure and enjoy again.

Video

    Presented in a full frame format (1.33:1), this is not 16x9 enhanced.

    The transfer is nicely defined throughout, although the style of animation is never going to look sharp. It is quite amazing how good the animation still looks despite the major advances that have occurred during the intervening sixty years. It is only the depth of the picture that separates this from the more recent efforts like Beauty and The Beast. There were no real problems with the focus at all, although it is not what I would call sharp. At times the picture seemed a little grainy and there was some evidence of low level noise, especially around the 22:00 minute mark. This however was not really distracting within the inherent problems of a nearly sixty year old film.

    It has to be admitted that the age of the film has thrown some problems regarding variability in colour into the mix, but at its best this is a gloriously vibrant transfer. At its worst it is better than we have any right to expect and comes up very well indeed. There was only the smallest hint of oversaturation of colours, mainly during the Pink Elephants on Parade, but this was barely noticeable and did not detract from what is still a very colourful, vibrant scene. Some of the scenes come up so well that they could almost have been done yesterday. Detail was quite wonderful for animation of this vintage.

   There were no readily apparent MPEG artefacts nor did there appear to be any film-to-video artefacts. However the age of the film is belied by the extensive film artefacts, in particular some noticeable scratches where the background colours were less bright. On the odd occasion the film artefacts were a little distracting but not an interruption to the enjoyment of the film. I would willingly admit that it would be better if they were not there but how clean a transfer is it reasonable to expect in a nearly sixty year old film? Mind you, given the propensity for The Walt Disney Company for exploitation of its treasure trove, I am confident that we will see a special limited edition, remastered version in the future that will better this.

Audio

    The dialogue was clear and easy to understand at all times.

    Yes it has the usual slight animation audio sync, but what do you expect?

    The musical score by Oliver Wallace and Frank Churchill is suitably carnival in atmosphere, and the music and songs are such an integral part of the film as ever in a Walt Disney film. Take the music and songs away and you do not have such a classic film. Wonderful stuff indeed, not at all hampered by the mono soundscape.

    Whilst this is a mono soundtrack, and therefore very front and centre, it is a nicely balanced soundscape that is completely believable and sympathetic to the film. Obviously there is no use made of the surround channels, nor the bass channel.

Menu

    A fine video transfer for such an old film.

    A good audio transfer.

    It is spelt E-X-T-R-A-S and we would love to have some soon.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall

© Ian Morris
28th November 1999