Official Disney Animated Films on Blu-ray

[Sinbad75]

Originally Posted by WinkDinkerson

A couple of questions for the resourceful Disney aficionados if I may ask -

1) Are there names (proper or nic) for the animation styles? For example, I prefer the art/drawing style for "101 Dalmatians" which obviously differs from their older work up to the newer styles. I'm thinking there are at least '3' named styles/variations.

2) Are there any other animated Disney titles with the same (art/drawing) style as "101 Dalmatians?"

Thanks.

Great questions! Although Disney experimented with more modern, angular and stylized forms of animation in "Fantasia" and some of the 40's package features, the real ground breaker would be 1959's "Sleeping Beauty." For the film's characters to read against the incredibly detailed backgrounds, the studio took a leap into the world of UPA type simplistic design and away from the lush, rounded style that defined classic, golden age Disney.

"Sleeping Beauty" cost a fortune and did poorly on initial release, so with an eye towards savings, and the help of Xerox's brilliant new copier technology, "101 Dalmatians" resulted. Not only was the more stylized UPA look continued with the characters, but also with the backgrounds. On this film the painted backgrounds started with simple, bold colored areas, enhanced and defined with cell over-lays of inked line drawings. Although Walt was reportedly not happy with the look, his adoring public was, and "101 Dalmatians" became the design template for the films of the 60's and 70's that followed.

Films like "Sword in the Stone," "Robin Hood" and "The Aristocats" are most identified with this new style. It was not until "The Rescuers" that we see a minor but recognizable shift back in the direction of the more classic style in both character design and backgrounds. I think that with "The Fox and the Hound" and "The Great Mouse Detective" the return to lush, fully rendered backgrounds and more classic, rounded character design was complete. Interesting that the last two films mentioned really signaled the changing of the guard at Disney with both animation staff and management.

Hope this helps!

[WinkDinkerson]

Thank you Sinbad75. A good read too. I suppose there isn't any actual official names for the type of art but still informative. Thanks again.

[Zak2000]

Originally Posted by davlee1991

Oh, the joys of misleading advertising!

Actually they are correct. The last release was the first movie with it's sequel and not a standalone.

[starkrogersthor91]

Originally Posted by Zak2000

Actually they are correct. The last release was the first movie with it's sequel and not a standalone.

I think what it's really inferring is that it's the first appearance of the film on blu-Ray AND Digital, since the other release didn't have a digital copy.

I see it as misleading as those who didn't know that information might believe it to be the first release of the film on blu, whether individual or 2-pack

[starkrogersthor91]

Originally Posted by WinkDinkerson

Thank you Sinbad75. A good read too. I suppose there isn't any actual official names for the type of art but still informative. Thanks again.

Sleeping Beauty was drawn in a style inspired by French Renaissance Art, whereas 101 Dalmations (based on the criticisms of the the previous film) took a more modern trendier look, taking its inspiration from then-modern (now-vintage) Parisian art.

That's probably the best you'll get in regards to names for the type of art.

I hope this helps too.

[darkness2918]

I read The Little Mermaid goes into the vault on April 30th along with some others so I grabbed a new copy while its still at a reasonable price. Man, starting my Disney collection late has cost me some titles already

[starkrogersthor91]

Originally Posted by darkness2918

I read The Little Mermaid goes into the vault on April 30th along with some others so I grabbed a new copy while its still at a reasonable price. Man, starting my Disney collection late has cost me some titles already

This is how I felt about the DVDs. I didn't collect any, because I guess I went through that early-adolescent phase where Disney movies were "no longer cool". But around the time I was 17-18, I started appreciating the films again - on a more mature level and was spewing I missed out on all the classics on DVD.
Luckily, the blu-rays had only just started pouring out and I was lucky enough to jump aboard from the very beginning and haven't missed a title.

Also, regarding your Little Mermaid purchase - I'm guessing the slipcover has long run out on this title? I only have the 3D and am disapointed I never picked up the 2D because I really loved the slip art on that one.

[darkness2918]

Originally Posted by davlee1991

This is how I felt about the DVDs. I didn't collect any, because I guess I went through that early-adolescent phase where Disney movies were "no longer cool". But around the time I was 17-18, I started appreciating the films again - on a more mature level and was spewing I missed out on all the classics on DVD.
Luckily, the blu-rays had only just started pouring out and I was lucky enough to jump aboard from the very beginning and haven't missed a title.

Also, regarding your Little Mermaid purchase - I'm guessing the slipcover has long run out on this title? I only have the 3D and am disapointed I never picked up the 2D because I really loved the slip art on that one.

Actually mine is going to come with a slip, the gold one. Theres plenty on ebay that have the slips, even some of the 3D ones. The 4 that came in the mail today from the DMC were all without slips though.

[disneywildcat]

Originally Posted by darkness2918

I read The Little Mermaid goes into the vault on April 30th along with some others so I grabbed a new copy while its still at a reasonable price. Man, starting my Disney collection late has cost me some titles already

As far as I know, no Disney films have returned to the vault since 2014. And if it were true, Disney would be advertising it everywhere to increase sales.

[Aus_Ivan]

Originally Posted by WinkDinkerson

Thank you Sinbad75. A good read too. I suppose there isn't any actual official names for the type of art but still informative. Thanks again.

The 101 Dalmatians animation style is generally referred to as the Xerox process (or just Xerox). Sinbad75 did touch on the use of Xerox machines but not that the animation style is also referred to by that name

[KMR]

Originally Posted by Aus_Ivan

The 101 Dalmatians animation style is generally referred to as the Xerox process (or just Xerox). Sinbad75 did touch on the use of Xerox machines but not that the animation style is also referred to by that name

I think by "animation style" people are referring to the style of the artwork, not the process in which it was transferred to cels. Two unrelated things. I've never heard "Xerox process" used in reference to style.

[Aus_Ivan]

Originally Posted by KMR

I think by "animation style" people are referring to the style of the artwork, not the process in which it was transferred to cels. Two unrelated things. I've never heard "Xerox process" used in reference to style.

But if someone referred to Disney's "Xerox" movies, it is pretty easy to know what is being referred to, and I have seen it referred to in such a manner. WinkDinkerson didn't ask solely for an official name.

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by KMR

I think by "animation style" people are referring to the style of the artwork, not the process in which it was transferred to cels. Two unrelated things. I've never heard "Xerox process" used in reference to style.

Animators refer to that mode as Xeorography, and you're right, it isn't really an animation style as much as it a mode of art direction brought on by escalating labor costs and the slow death of animated short subjects. The Disney Bros. could no longer really justify the expense of those gorgeous hand-inked lines. Animators loved it, critics loved it, Walt hated it. Ken Anderson said he didn't think Walt ever forgave him for implementing it.

[WinkDinkerson]

Thanks all. I appreciate the responses.

@Ernest Rister - thx for the key word Xeroxing. Lots of info from searching. However, wiki and other sites list most of the films that have utilized the process but I prefer the look of "101 Dalmatians." For example, they list "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" as using xeroxing but it sure doesn't look like 101 Dalmatians.

According to this site, I'll assume The Sword in The Stone, Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, The Aristocats, and Bed Knobs and Broomsticks are about the closest matches for resembling 101 D.

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by WinkDinkerson

Thanks all. I appreciate the responses.

@Ernest Rister - thx for the key word Xeroxing. Lots of info from searching. However, wiki and other sites list most of the films that have utilized the process but I prefer the look of "101 Dalmatians." For example, they list "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" as using xeroxing but it sure doesn't look like 101 Dalmatians.

According to this site, I'll assume The Sword in The Stone, Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, The Aristocats, and Bed Knobs and Broomsticks are about the closest matches for resembling 101 D.

A ton of stuff in the 60's, including many short subjects (see the Winnie the Pooh shorts for an easy reference). The Rescuers in the mid-70's experimented with some things, The Black Cauldron tested a process called Automatic Photo Transfer, but Xerography really didn't meet its mortal end until The Rescuers Down Under and the full use of the new CAPS system.

The only modern use of the look of the Xerography system that comes immediately to mind is the short, John Henry. Interesting to contemplate why no one has really followed up on it. Could almost write a book on that subject alone.

[KMR]

Originally Posted by WinkDinkerson

Thanks all. I appreciate the responses.

@Ernest Rister - thx for the key word Xeroxing. Lots of info from searching. However, wiki and other sites list most of the films that have utilized the process but I prefer the look of "101 Dalmatians." For example, they list "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" as using xeroxing but it sure doesn't look like 101 Dalmatians.

According to this site, I'll assume The Sword in The Stone, Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, The Aristocats, and Bed Knobs and Broomsticks are about the closest matches for resembling 101 D.

The word "Xeroxing" should not be used. Xerox is a registered trademark, so technically you can only "Xerox" something if you use a copier made by Xerox (not Canon, not IBM, etc.). The word for the process is "xerography".

And again, process used has nothing to do with the animation style in 101 Dalmations. Does the style in that movie look remotely like The Fox and the Hound?

[darkness2918]

Originally Posted by disneywildcat

As far as I know, no Disney films have returned to the vault since 2014. And if it were true, Disney would be advertising it everywhere to increase sales.

Google is your friend

[disneywildcat]

Originally Posted by darkness2918

Google is your friend

Although there are some creditable Disney news sites out there, they are Disney sites that aren't as reliable.

Disney Wiki is definitely not the most reliable source when it comes to future home video releases and future vaulting of titles.

[blurayfriend]

I'm suspecting, from the announcement of Mulan/Poca and the recent Toy Story re-releases, that Disney is going to be re-releasing EVERYTHING with a new "character front and center" slipcover and a digital copy. Good news for those of us who have everything we want and are done I guess, although the addition of a new slip and code to try to entice people to double dip seems shifty to me.

[darkness2918]

Originally Posted by blurayfriend

I'm suspecting, from the announcement of Mulan/Poca and the recent Toy Story re-releases, that Disney is going to be re-releasing EVERYTHING with a new "character front and center" slipcover and a digital copy. Good news for those of us who have everything we want and are done I guess, although the addition of a new slip and code to try to entice people to double dip seems shifty to me.

Youd be surprised by how many people would double dip just for the digital copy. I know a few people personally who did that with Snow White. Bought it just for the DC since they already had the diamond set & just sold the signature edition set.

Now if they would only release a double BD set of the Goofy movies & Ducktales the movie id be happy.