This month, the long-awaited DVD release of the ABC film "Walt:
The Man Behind the Myth" became available - at least to online
buyers. For six months, the DVD will be available exclusively from
Disney Online (see link below), before it enters a general release
through home video stores.
The DVD has already generated intense interest, judging by the
reviews that have appeared over the last few weeks. It contains
the complete theatrical version of the film, which is 119 minutes
long (as compared to the 88-minute broadcast that appeared on ABC).
In addition, the producers have added about two hours of "bonus"
video footage. In sum, the DVD is "a rare opportunity into
the life of someone who many people view as one of the most influential
men in the entertainment business," according to Ricky Tucker
of "GameVortex."
We're giving our Guests a rare "sneak preview" of the
DVD, including actual samples of some of the bonus materials.
1. Scene Selections, offering access to 24 scene segments
2. Bonus Features, organized in seven categories
3. Setup, providing subtitles in English, French and Spanish
1."Walt: An Intimate View" features thoughts
on Walt as a boss and father from some of Walt's closest friends
and family members.
2. "Disney Legends" is a collection of
interview excerpts with top animators, artists, and storymen,
including Marc Davis, Ollie Johnston, Frank Thomas, Ward Kimball,
Joe Grant, and John Hench.
3. "Actors, Directors and Friends" offers
interview excerpts with actors Dick van Dyke and Dean Jones, television
host Art Linkletter, author Ray Bradbury, and directors Ken Annakin
and Richard Fleischer.
4. "The Making of 'Walt'" is a 16-minute
behind-the-scenes impression of the production, which was shot
on location in Marceline, Missouri; Kansas City; and Los Angeles.
It also contains interviews with executive producer Walter Elias
Disney Miller, grandson of Walt Disney, as well as the film's
writers and director.
5. "Location Visits" is a tour of virtual
visits to key locations where Walt lived and worked, narrated
by Diane Disney Miller.
6. "Home Movies," also narrated by Diane,
is a rare selection of home movies shot by Walt that are not featured
in the film.
7. "The Walt Disney Family Museum" offers
a direct link to this Web site, for those viewers who watch the
DVD on a computer with access to the Internet.
Walt: An Intimate
View
To judge by the reviews, "Intimate View" is definitely
one of the favorite Bonus segments. "[The] notes help expand
our knowledge of the man," writes Colin Jacobson in "DVD
Movie Guide"; "I most enjoyed the comments about working
with Walt, as those offered some interesting facts. The remarks
about reactions to Walt's illness and death also provided compelling
insight into his final days."
"Intimate View" is organized under six
topics: (1) Meeting Walt for the first time, (2) Walt as a boss,
(3) Walt at home, (4) Walt and music, (5) Walt's Creativity, and
(6) Walt's passing. To see a preview of the segment "Walt's
Passing," click on the image below.
.
The 'Virtual Tour'
"Location Visits" is another favorite with reviewers.
"Narrated by Walt's daughter Diane, this featurette is beautifully
put together and gives us a comprehensive look about the places
that defined Walt Disney as a man," writes Guido Henkel in
"DVD Review"; "many photographs and vintage footage
manage to really paint a picture of the places."
At the starting menu, "Location Visits"
offers a choice of four cities: Chicago, Marceline, Kansas City,
and Los Angeles, which lead to a total of 13 individual locations
to explore. Each visit includes historical footage as well as
a sense of how the spot appeared in Walt's day and today.
To sample this Bonus segment, make your choice from
among the three visits offered in Kansas City, using the interactive
menu below.

Using this screen shot from the DVD, click on the site of
your choice
"'Walt: The Man Behind the Myth' is presented
in a 1.66:1 widescreen aspect ratio, [and] the quality of the
transfer is very good," writes reviewer Guido Henkel; "
the [archival] material has been nicely restored for best possible
presentation. The disc also contains a stereo audio track; this
is very clear and free of defects. Even the old recordings of
Walt Disney himself have been cleaned up and are of very good
quality."
With 4 hours of video material and excerpts from
more than 70 interviews, the "Walt" DVD is definitely
a collector's item for every Disney fan, as well as everyone interested
in Hollywood and filmmaking in general.
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Walt:
The Man behind the Myth'
Narrated by: Dick van Dyke
Executive Producer: Walter Elias Disney Miller
Written by: Katherine and Richard Greene, Jean-Pierre Isbouts
Produced by: Catherine Labrador
Length: 119 minutes
Aspect ratio: 1.66:1 (letterbox)
Rating: G
Region: 1
Audio: Dolby Digital
Bonus Materials: Approximately 117 minutes
A film by Pantheon Studios, Inc. for the Walt Disney Family
Foundation
Distributed by Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc.
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This disc is available from the Museum Gift
Shop as well as DisneyDVD.com