Disney Announces Classics on DVD

Disney to Debut Nine Classic Animated Titles on DVD for a Limited Time to Celebrate the Millennium

BURBANK, Calif. - DVDs are about to take on a whole new look and meaning with the introduction of Disney Video Discs.

Buena Vista Home Entertainment will debut nine popular Disney animated features on DVD over the next four months as part of a once- in-a-millennium celebration, it was announced Tuesday by Richard Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group.

Included in this group are some of the best-loved films in the history of motion pictures. Each of the titles will be available for a limited 60-day time period, and most of the offerings will then be placed on moratorium for up to 10 years.

Adding to their unique look, Disney Video Discs will prominently feature full-color character artwork screened directly onto the top of the discs to assist even the youngest viewers in using them correctly with the picture side up.

"Pinocchio," which became the studio's first animated classic to be released as a sell-through video back in 1985, will again make history with its DVD debut on Oct. 26.

Three additional titles -- "101 Dalmatians," "Hercules" and "Mulan" -- are scheduled for release on Nov. 11. "Lady and the Tramp," "Peter Pan" and "Simba's Pride ("Lion King II") will be released on DVD on Nov. 23. "The Jungle Book" and "The Little Mermaid" will be available on DVD starting on Dec. 7.

All of the DVD releases will be presented in their original theatrical aspect ratios and in Dolby Digital or Dolby Surround sound. Foreign-language supplemental tracks will also be included on all of the nine titles.

Commenting on the announcement, Cook said: "With nearly 15 million households expected to have a set-top DVD player or a computer capable of playing DVDs by the end of the year, we think this is a great time to offer these animated classics on DVD and a great way to mark the millennium.

"These nine titles will give today's generation a unique opportunity to begin a DVD library with some of the most popular Disney films of all time. The DVD market has exploded with the release of such action-oriented and event titles as our own `Armageddon' and the proven popularity of Disney favorites like `Mary Poppins' and `Beauty and the Beast Enchanted Christmas.'

"This year, `A Bug's Life' became the second-best-selling title, behind `Armageddon,' and dramatically demonstrated the growth of the family fare for the broadening DVD market. DVDs are an exciting new way to present our filmed entertainment in a format that is practical, versatile and economical."

Buena Vista Home Entertainment is responsible for distributing all Disney, Touchstone and Hollywood Pictures releases on VHS and DVD.