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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great introduction to the delights of DVD!, 22 Oct 2000
The advent of DVD has re-defined the whole concept of home cinema and nowhere is this more evident than in the Kingdom of the Mouse. The release to DVD of Disney's 1955 masterpiece "Lady and the Tramp" is one of the most exciting opportunities you could wish for to consider this contention. At last the home viewer can see this film as it was intended. The previous video release, whilst welcome at the time, suffered particularly badly from the cropping required to cram it onto the small screen.This was Disney's first Cinemascope release and the studio aquitted themselves magnificently. The classic scenario of the genteel ingenue (Lady) being swept off her feet by rogueish young dude from wrong side off the tracks (Tramp) is given a momentous treatment and the film still stands as one of the high points of the studio's illustrious history. Now for the first time outside of the cinema, the viewer can see the full sweep and grandeur of the leafy suburbs that characterise so much of Lady's world. This is very much a dog's eye view of the world and the layouts and exquisitely rendered backgrounds are jaw droppingly stunning when viewed at DVD resolution, in fact after watching this you will be looking for a new home for the video version you've been clinging onto. The animation, characterisation and songs are all equally memorable and in a way, reflect the mood of optimism and confidence that characterised so much of America in the fifties. Moments such as Peg's (Peggy Lee) memorable rendition of "He's A Tramp" or Aunt Sarah's dreadful Siamese cats intoning "We Urrr Siameez Eeef You Pleeeez" are forever etched into the consciousness of everyone that has seen this film. A deinite must have for anyone seeking ways to keep smallish children entertained on a rainy afternoon, or anyone with the slightest love of animation and a well constructed story, rendered with style and panache. Hopefully, it won't be too long before we can see Disney's other great ... Cinemascope venture of the fifties, "Sleeping Beauty" given the DVD treatment it so richly deserves, in the meantime "Lady and the Tramp" is a great introduction to the delights of Disney films on DVD.
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