Sleeping Beauty Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Sleeping Beauty Blu-ray Movie Review

This is Disney's third release of the timeless 1959 animated feature film 'Sleeping Beauty.' Previous issues include the 2008 Platinum Edition and the 2014 Diamond Edition. For this 'Signature Collection' release -- the 12th, following 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,' 'Beauty and the Beast,' 'Pinocchio,' 'Bambi,' 'The Lion King,' 'Lady and the Tramp,' 'Peter Pan,' 'The Little Mermaid,' 'Cinderella,' Aladdin', and '101 Dalmatians' -- Disney has recycled video and audio presentations from the previous releases and made significant alterations to the supplements, which includes a little new content, plenty of missing extras, and a number that are now digital only.

Sleeping Beauty Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

This "Signature Collection" release recycles the same 2.55:1-framed transfer found on both the old issue Platinum and Diamond releases. For a full 1080p video review, please click here.

Sleeping Beauty Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

As with the video, audio has also been recycled. This release includes the same DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless soundtrack that's been utilized twice before. For a full audio review, please click here.

Sleeping Beauty Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There are new supplements, which are available digitally. There are new supplements on both disc and digital. There are carryover supplements on disc and digital. There are missing supplements from previous releases that are neither on disc nor on digital. Below is a breakdown of what's where and what's missing, collated to the best of my ability. A DVD copy of the film and a Movies Anywhere digital copy code are included with purchase. This release ships with an embossed slipcover.

New Digital Exclusive:

• Stories From Walt's Office: Designing the Studio (3:12): Walt Disney Archives Director Rebecca Cline discusses the studio Walt Disney designed with architect Kem Weber and how Walt's office was influenced by the design scheme. The office has one-of-a-kind pieces designed to fit with the style of the studio including a desk, table and piano.

• In Walt's Words: Sleeping Beauty (1080p, 4:23): From the disc: "The following archival recordings of Walt Disney are edited from interviews conducted in 1956 and 1961." Walt discusses the changing process of animation as the studio grew and found success. It covers his struggle to find his version of perfection in each film and the timeless aspects of the stories that keep his work alive. He also discusses how Sleeping Beauty helped inspire Disneyland as an opportunity to build a living, growing place that can evolve over time (the castle at the entrance is modeled on the castle from Sleeping Beauty).
• Fun Facts Behind Sleeping Beauty (4:28): This piece covers some fun facts from the film including Sleeping Beauty's name and appearance in the film, the animation style and the time it took to create, the score taken from Tchaikovsky's ballet, the new technology that shaped the film, the fairies, and the length of time between Sleeping Beauty and the next Disney Princess (Ariel from The Little Mermaid).

• Classic Bonus Preview (1:02): This brief piece showcases some of the extras included in the digital version.

• Deleted Scenes (12:46): included are "The Curse is Fulfilled" Deleted Scene, "The Arrival of Maleficient" Alternate Scene, and "The Fair" Deleted Scene told through storyboards (Originally on the 2014 disc).
• The Art of Evil: Generations of Disney Villains (9:49): Originally on the 2014 disc.
• @Disneyanimation: Artists in Motion (4:28): Originally on the 2014 disc.
• Beauty-Oke "Once Upon A Dream" (2:33): Originally on the 2014 disc.
• Picture Perfect: The Making of Sleeping Beauty (44:33): On the 2008 and 2014 discs.
• Audio Commentary: John Lasseter, Andreas Deja, and Leonard Maltin: On the 2008 and 2014 discs.
• Song Selection (8:41): Included are "Once Upon A Dream (Main Title)," "Hail to the Princess Aurora," "I Wonder," "Once Upon A Dream," and "Sleeping Beauty." Originally on the 2008 disc.

• Short Film: Grand Canyon.
• Sequence 8
• Sleeping Beauty Alternate Opening
• Storyboard Sequences: "The Fairies Put The Castle To Sleep" and "The Capture Of The Prince"
• Original Live-Action Reference Film Footage
• Four Artists Paint One Tree: Featuring Walt Peregoy, Josh Meador, Eyvind Earle, and Marc Davis.
• Music Video: "Once Upon a Dream" by Emily Osment.
• Publicity: One Trailer (Three available on 2008 disc).

• Once Upon a Parade

• The Sound Of Beauty: Restoring A Classic
• Eyvind Earle: A Man And His Art

• Cine-Explore In-Movie Experience
• Original Disneyland Sleeping Beauty Walkthrough Attraction
• History of the Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough Attraction
• Sleeping Beauty Deleted Songs: Included are "It Happens I Have A Picture," "Riddle Diddle," and "Go To Sleep."
• The Peter Tchaikovsky Story
• Sleeping Beauty Art Galleries
• Publicity: (Three trailers on disc, one on the 2019 digital supplements).
• Games: Dragon Encounter, Maleficent's Challenge, Briar Rose's Enchanted Dance, and Fun with Language.
• Princess Fun Facts: Trivia Track
• Song Lyrics Subtitle Track

Sleeping Beauty Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There's absolutely no reason to buy this Signature Collection release, with the following exceptions: you don't already own either of the previous issues, you just have to have every supplement ever made available to you, or you want a fresh digital code. First time buyers are being short-changed a ton of content. Those buying again are spending money for little value beyond what the previous editions had on offer. The digital code is a fairly good reason to buy (and there's a beautiful SteelBook for packaging collectors). First time buyers will be treated to gorgeous video and excellent audio. But it's difficult to justify the release for anyone else.