Song of the South [Merged Threads]

[NotaGeek]

The film should be released for no other reason than it is a part of film history. As someone who is a bit of a cinemaphile, I hate that I can't legally own this film.

You can legally purchase this video from the UK side of partner Amazon.com by clicking HERE for Amazon.co.uk.. It's VHS PAL format, so you will either need to make sure you VHS player is PAL format compatible as most US VHS players are NTSC only. Just an FYI I have purchased UK VHS tapes and had them converted to NTSC format at a local multi media store for $10. I believe they can also convert them to DVD as well, and as long as you only use them for your own at-home viewing it's NOT illegal. It seems like a lot to go through, but for anyone that is truly dedicated to owning this film, it might be worth it.

[Grizz16]

Yes, its true. The NAACP prohibits the mass selling of Song of the South in the United States.

The NAACP can't prohibit anything unless there's been a lawsuit or court order against it. Until then, Disney could release Song of the South should they choose to.

[DocWeeks]

You can legally purchase this video from the UK side of partner Amazon.com by clicking HERE for Amazon.co.uk.. It's VHS PAL format, so you will either need to make sure you VHS player is PAL format compatible as most US VHS players are NTSC only. Just an FYI I have purchased UK VHS tapes and had them converted to NTSC format at a local multi media store for $10. I believe they can also convert them to DVD as well, and as long as you only use them for your own at-home viewing it's NOT illegal. It seems like a lot to go through, but for anyone that is truly dedicated to owning this film, it might be worth it.

I have no interest in paying for a VHS transfer that is probably pan & scam. Full treatment, or nothing. Sorry. No go.
I'm not just picking on Disney about this either. George Lucas has still yet to release the original Star Wars trilogy in 5.1 widescreen with a decent treatment. Again, sorry. No go.
The same thing goes for The African Queen...

[Melanie]

I have no interest in paying for a VHS transfer that is probably pan & scam. Full treatment, or nothing. Sorry. No go.

Like NotaGeek stated, if you are truly dedicated to owning this movie and want to do it legally, this is an option. Just getting it out there for folks who didn't know this was available.

[Mickey'sApprentice]

It can also be bought on ebay.

[Ian]

From Jim Hill's review of the Disney shareholder meeting ...

... news that might interest all you hardcore Disneyana fans out there is that the company is now revisiting its decision not to release "Song of the South" on DVD. When quizzed by Carol Koster about the current status of this 1946 Walt Disney Productions release, Iger still expressed his concerns about the film. Wondering aloud if it would actually be possible for today's audiences to put this picture in the proper context.

But -- that said -- Bob (while making no promises) then went on to say that " ... we will look at ("Song of the South") again. And Dick Cook (Chairman of Walt Disney Studios) would be in charge of that effort."

[kaylamag]

I really hope they put it out on dvd, i've been wanting this movie to add to my collection for a long time. I can't believe Disney is hiding it away.

[Ian]

You know part of me wonders if this entire thing hasn't been a ploy on Disney's part to just hype the movie up to the point that, when they finally do "decide" to release it, the sales will be just through the roof.

[Michigander]

I see no differance in this movies display of the times then the movie Gone With The Wind and thats shown on tv all the time. These movies tell a tale of what it was like in our world during those time. Even if we don't like to think about it it's how it was. Maybe by showing these things todays children will learn not to let it happen again.

[Vigan]

You can't change history and you cannot make it go away. It happened. BUT, the good thing is that we have come a long way since 1946 to make things different - that's what's important.

It was shown on television in the UK not long ago - no-one shouted, no-one complained. It is an entertaining film with lovely songs.

Come on Disney - release it on DVD and let those who wish to enjoy it do so - we are capable of making our own decisions about the background to it. Those who strongly disagree don't have to buy or watch it - it's like the TV - if you don't like the programme - turn it off!

[prttynpnk]

These movies tell a tale of what it was like in our world during those time. Even if we don't like to think about it it's how it was. Maybe by showing these things todays children will learn not to let it happen again.

Well said. A lot of our history is not particulary charming, but to sweep it under the rug and not learn from it will only hurt us.
Also, it's a very well done piece of cinema history with an Oscar winning song- we shouldn't have to miss that.

[Strmchsr]

These movies tell a tale of what it was like in our world during those time.

Well, actually, the big knock against "Song of the South" is that it doesn't show what things were like during that time. The movie has a very idealized version of slavery. The complaint has never been that the movie shows slavery, but the light in which slavery is portrayed. That said, the vast majority of people are intelligent enough to watch a movie and put it in perspective. Iger isn't giving the average person much credit.

[Ian]

Well, actually, the big knock against "Song of the South" is that it doesn't show what things were like during that time. The movie has a very idealized version of slavery. The complaint has never been that the movie shows slavery, but the light in which slavery is portrayed. That said, the vast majority of people are intelligent enough to watch a movie and put it in perspective. Iger isn't giving the average person much credit.

You're correct in spirit, but the misconception is that this film depicts slaves at all. SotS is actually set in the post-reconstruction South ... after slavery has ended.

The knock, though, is that it shows African Americans in that time period as happy-go-lucky folks who wander around singing and dancing all day. Which, of course, isn't the case. It was a real struggle to survive for most.

I'm not implying that this means the film shouldn't be released (I think it most definitely should be), but I just wanted to clarify what the general issues are.

Also I agree with you that Iger is really selling the average American short. Although, I suspect he's not at all concerned with how well people are able to "view this film in the proper context."

What he's concerned about is the uproar they'll hear from the NAACP and other civil rights groups if they announce the film's release.

[Nascfan]

What he's concerned about is the uproar they'll hear from the NAACP and other civil rights groups if they announce the film's release.

Bingo!

[Strmchsr]

You're correct in spirit, but the misconception is that this film depicts slaves at all. SotS is actually set in the post-reconstruction South ... after slavery has ended.

Yes, of course, you're right. It's been so long since I've seen it I forgot it was sharecroppers, not slaves.

The knock, though, is that it shows African Americans in that time period as happy-go-lucky folks who wander around singing and dancing all day. Which, of course, isn't the case. It was a real struggle to survive for most.

And SOTS isn't unique in this. Pretty much every film released during that time used African-Americans for slapstick comedy or music. Gone With The Wind had pretty much the same depiction. Disney is just the biggest kid on the block and, therefore, the biggest target. Being white, I realize I'll never "get it" (as South Park correctly pointed out this week) as to why this subject is so sensitive, but I REALLY wish we could get past it, realize the movie is fun but does not portray that culture in an accurate light and stop being so politically correct.

[thrillme]

Politically correct...not politically correct...SIGHH I really think I'm feeling PC'd to death. More and more it seems like I'm finding out by OTHER people that "I" had been "offended" and I never even knew it. Uhhh...OK...sure...I'll make a note of it...

Until people started squawking about that there may be some "inappropriate" material in it, I had absolutely positively "NO IDEA" that there was "anything".

To me...it was a sweet old man with a bluebird on his shoulder and a beautiful smile telling a story about a rabbit and all his adventures. He was definately a gentleman I would LOVE to sit down with and get to know. I truly failed to see all this political "gobbldegook" that was supposedly there.

Uncle Remus was a joyful dude with tales to tell and people who loved to listen. That is considered "offensive"??? Somebody hasn't seen MTV lately.

I do hope they make the RIGHT decision and release it soon. It was a lovely story that everybody should hear.

[PirateLover]

Glad to hear about this slight change in position. I would love to have an official copy of Song of the South. I still think they should make some new cartoons featuring Brer Rabbit, Bear, Fox etc. It really is an untapped market, considering how popular Splash Mountain is.

[Ian]

Amen, thrillme ... I agree 100%.

I swear ... if a segment of the population spent as much time on positive things as they do on finding things to be "offended" about, I believe this country would be a much better place in which to live.

And I do NOT mean that in the sense of the minority segment of our population ... I believe that, by and large, very few of them care a whit about this ...

It's just a very few loudmouths (white ones, African American ones, blue ones, green ones ... doesn't matter) who ruin it for everyone else.

Which is pretty much the way of the world ...

[Auntie]

Glad to hear about this slight change in position. I would love to have an official copy of Song of the South. I still think they should make some new cartoons featuring Brer Rabbit, Bear, Fox etc. It really is an untapped market, considering how popular Splash Mountain is.

I've been following this PC dilemma regarding the release of this film for a while now. I have often wondered..WHY if they were reluctant to release it would they base entire theme park attraction depicting the characters from the film. The Zipidee doo dah song..is a Disney staple. I'm quite sure the film was researched and designers were aware of the content and time period of the film. I agree Disney shouldn't sell the public short. They are drawing more attention to it by "keeping it in the vault!"....I think I agree that just might be the entire point. All the drama..then finally a release where everyone runs out and buys it. Hmm..something to think about, that's for sure.

[Stevadore]

The debate is ponderous at this point. I have commented almost every time it has been addressed here. I think the time has come to ask the question;
What Would Walt Do?
I for one think he would NOT hesitate.
Re-release it.
Any discussion is better than the silence bred by political correctness that stymies the true human condition these days, good or bad.