Gulliver's Travels (1939)

[AaronSCH]

If you are an animation enthusiast and are disappointed over Koch Vision's decision to release the Max and Dave Fleischer animated classic "Gulliver's Travels" in a butchered format, please take a few minutes to drop them a note to voice your displeasure. Their email address is: VideoSales@kochent.com

To whom it may concern:

I recently saw a trade ad for the Koch Vision release of Max and Dave Fleischer's animated classic, "Gulliver's Travels." I was thrilled to see that this overlooked classic was being remastered and released on Blu-ray disc, that is, until I read that you folks have reformatted it from its original aspect ratio. It is unfortunate that someone made such an uninformed decision. This title would have been on the top of my list to add to my growing Blu-ray library. But I just refuse to purchase it in such a butchered manner. It is a shame that your decision may impede other companies from releasing this public domain title on Blu-ray any time soon. Animation historian, Jerry Beck recently stated on his website, Cartoon Brew that Warner Bros was planning on releasing this title as a bonus in their "Popeye" collections, so there is still some hope that this film will some day get a proper high definition release. What a missed opportunity for Koch Vision to finally do justice to Max and Dave Fleischer's classic. Please reconsider your decision. You will sell more copies when animation enthusiasts are also on board and snatching up copies of this release.

Sincerely,
A concerned animation fan.

I was very pleased to receive a very quick response from Koch Vision, but it really doesn't allay my fears about this release:

Hi Aaron

The widescreen note that you saw mention of is not entirely accurate.
The folks that produced the 60th anniversary edition (North Hampton
Partners) are the same folks that are producing this new release for
KOCH Vision in both standard def as well as Blu-ray. The editions coming
are 16x9 and the company has taken great strides to preserve and present
the film in the best possible light, including the restoration of the
original soundtrack, and the edition of new Stereo as well as 5.1
options. We believe you will find this restoration to be of great value,
and that upon its release you will find the viewing of it to be
extremely enjoyable.

Regards,

My response:

Thank you very much for such a swift reply to my email. I am very familiar with this classic film and frankly, if it is being presented in widescreen, it couldn't possibly be presented "in the best possible light." In order to accommodate a 16x9 presentation, the folks at North Hampton would have had to excise way too much information from the top and bottom of the film. That is, unless they have simply window-boxed the film like Disney will be presenting "Pinocchio." Reportedly, Disney is also making "Pinocchio" available on the same disc in its original aspect ratio without the "window-boxing" feature. I certainly hope that is the way Koch Vision will be presenting this film because I feel many like myself will be avoiding this release because it will likely be considered a high definition downgrade. I believe animation enthusiasts and Blu-ray collectors will wait until we read reviews from trusted websites that Koch Vision hasn't forfeited a great opportunity. My fingers are crossed.

Sincerely,

[azbabar]

Aspect ratio: 16x9! I really hope this is a typo. They should be using pillarboxed 4:3 for this one.

[EricJ]

"Presented in Widescreen" I suspect to be less of a typo...

The smell of PD-vulture suggests this aspect ratio got the cheap chop-chop.

[katjakassin]

I ask this question only in ignorance, so hopefully someone can help me on it.

But let's assume that Koch does this release right and everything looks as well it can be on Blu-ray. I am pretty sure, I might even bet a crisp, two dollar bill that this film wasn't shot in HD.

So, when the subject of a television show like The Simpsons comes up, why do a lot of people brush it off because it wasn't shot in HD?

I am just asking. I can't see the aspect ratio being of much importance, so if someone can give me a heads up.

Oh, I am looking forward to this. Though I do think it is funny that this is coming from Koch being La Dolce Vita. But I'll take it (If it is done properly).

[AaronSCH]

Oh no... in my haste to post this trade ad late last night, I didn't notice that it is being presented in widescreen. I don't have an issue with that if the disc also includes the film in its original aspect ratio intact. This news makes me much less enthusiastic about the release. I hope it isn't butchered—what a shame. When will this film receive the respect it deserves?

Disney is offering something called "Disney View" for the upcoming release of "Pinocchio."

Originally Posted by Chris Chiarella, Big Picture, Big Sound

Chief among the BD exclusives is a revolutionary new concept, dubbed Disney View. As the 4:3 Pinocchio predates widescreen filmmaking, it would appear with two vertical black bars when displayed on a 16:9 TV, which some families have grumbled about. Disney has added a series of custom-designed side panel images to fill those gaps, be it an ornate bookbinding when genial insect sidekick Jiminy Cricket is reading, or a starry sky when the action moves outside at night. It's always fitting, with subtle shifts that are never distracting, and completely optional.

[DavePS3]

Well, where's 'Hoppity Goes To Town', man??? Speaking of animation titles, I want The Point too! (original version with Dustin Hoffman narrating, not Ringo Starr or that idiot, Alan Thicke). Gimme all the old Fleischer Popeyes while we're at it!!!

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by Chris Chiarella, Big Picture, Big Sound
Chief among the BD exclusives is a revolutionary new concept, dubbed Disney View. As the 4:3 Pinocchio predates widescreen filmmaking, it would appear with two vertical black bars when displayed on a 16:9 TV, which some families have grumbled about. Disney has added a series of custom-designed side panel images to fill those gaps, be it an ornate bookbinding when genial insect sidekick Jiminy Cricket is reading, or a starry sky when the action moves outside at night. It's always fitting, with subtle shifts that are never distracting, and completely optional.

Basically the abstract "blur" borders NBC and the other HD networks use when they have to show 4:3 news footage on the Nightly News--
Nice effect, too , and I'd hoped studios would start picking it up--But as it's time-consuming to create when done well, don't expect to see studios use it that often unless for a big tentpole release like Disney Platinums...

[JessR]

classic movie, but should be good on BR

[AaronSCH]

Originally Posted by JessR

classic movie, but should be good on BR

I can't see it being acceptable to collectors if the disc doesn't also contain the film in its original aspect ratio. Otherwise it's just a butchered version of a classic on the Blu-ray format.