Dumbo

Stereotypical? Figure Out How To Use It, Not Abuse It!
Why am I not surprised that there is someone reviewing this classic who trashes it as if they had never seen it and were offended by the cultural sensitivity issues that are part of the film. (See the Tallahassee reviewer titled "Do not purchase this video for children" January 21, 2003) For crying out loud, this script reflects what was normal at the time the film was first released. It's full of classic pieces that of course include a white dominated societal commentary on what was perceived as appropriate black cultural roots at that time. Is it outdated? Sure, so is nearly every other film from that era. Does this make it less of a classic? Absolutely not. In fact, this is the *real* Disney, long before it was sanitized for the Anaheim-Orlando crowd. Is the film inappropriate for a 21st century kid? That's a parental decision, but if you plan to shelter your child from the real history of the U.S., they will have a rude awakening (with all the accompanying psychoses)...

Excellent for two and three year olds and everyone else too!
Dumbo is a cinematic milestone and masterpiece of family entertainment. The storyline and characters are well rounded enough (just) to entertain adults and older children and the quality of the animation both holds children's attention and enables them to empathise with the principle characters. In addition, the moral of the story is well presented without being clumsily overstated as in much modern animation.

Both my children have frequently watched this DVD (which first came out (without extras) in Europe in 1999) since they were one and both enjoy it imensely.

I'm both astonished and disturbed that anyone could deem this movie unsuitable for children but can only assume they come from the same group of people who banned Robin Hood books from schools for being 'pro communist' and Shakespeare for being 'too explicit'!

The 'drunken scene' is funny, brief and discrete (all you see is the shadows of characters through canvas). As to fast forwarding through the dream sequence...

Not worth the upgrade if you already have the 60th Anni. ED...
Don't get me wrong, Dumbo is a great movie for kids and adults, one of Disney's greatest films but everything went wrong in this SO CALLED "Big Top Edition"

First of all, it isn't even a 2-disc set!

Most of the old "60th Anniversary Edition" bonus features are put on this DVD taking out some of the making, Dumbo II preview, and a music video. I do not understand Disnet AT ALL!

The new transfer IMO is WORSE then the "60th Anniversary Edition" It has no life to it, it is darker and very dull. Also you are losing 30% of the film do to an overscan! This movie was already filmed in fullscreen why do a pan and scan job to a fullscreen DVD? Come on Disney, you get enough money!

You really need this quick buck?

If you already have the "60th Anniversary Edition" DVD please stick with it! You get to see the WHOLE movie in full and the colors are brighter and you have ALL the great bonus features!

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