Peter Pan (Special Edition) (DVD)

Peter Pan 2-Disc Special Edition

Adapted from the stage play of Sir James Barrie comes Walt Disney's masterpiece Peter Pan. This timeless classic is sprinkled with the magic of Disney, capturing the essence of Barrie's original screenplay.
As a two-disc special edition, the film has been digitally restored with enhanced picture and sound. It is bursting with special features from the Disney archive.

Peter Pan ...
...50 years.

Peter Pan is full of adventure, interesting characters, music, laughs, faith, trust and of course pixie dust!
The traditional story of Peter Pan has lived on for over 100 years, and Disney's adaptation of the play has only helped fuel its popularity.
Most know of the boy who never grew up, who could fly, who fought pirates and thrived on being simply a child. Adults and children alike love the story of Peter ... more

Peter Pan 2-Disc Special Edition

Adapted from the stage play of Sir James Barrie comes Walt Disney's masterpiece Peter Pan. This timeless classic is sprinkled with the magic of Disney, capturing the essence of Barrie's original screenplay.
As a two-disc special edition, the film has been digitally restored with enhanced picture and sound. It is bursting with special features from the Disney archive.

Peter Pan was a story that Walt Disney himself held close to his heart, so much so that it took almost two decades putting the finishing touches to the film. With so much effort put into it, there is no surprise that this Disney Classic has remained a prominent favourite for over 50 years.

Peter Pan is full of adventure, interesting characters, music, laughs, faith, trust and of course pixie dust!
The traditional story of Peter Pan has lived on for over 100 years, and Disney's adaptation of the play has only helped fuel its popularity.
Most know of the boy who never grew up, who could fly, who fought pirates and thrived on being simply a child. Adults and children alike love the story of Peter Pan, the fantasy tale allows the audience to visit a place of make believe, where anything can and will happen!

After flying 'second star to the right and straight on 'til morning' Wendy and her brothers find themselves in the middle of an adventure world, with pirates, mermaids, indians and of course the villainous Captain Hook. Peter Pan, his spirited side-kick Tinker Bell and the courageous Lost Boys show them the excitement Never Land has to offer. But with the arrival of Wendy and her brothers John and Michael, comes the opportunity for Hook to gain the upper hand over his opponent, if he could only get over his fear of the crocodile. Who developed a taste for him after Peter cut off his hand and fed it to the crocodile. Luckily an alarm clock was also swallowed so a tick-tock sound warns Hook of his whereabouts.
Tinker Bell is immediately jealous of the attention Wendy is receiving from Peter, so does battle somewhat for his interest. Including an attempt to get the Lost Boys to shoot Wendy down mid-flight.

The film provides an enjoyable 80 minutes taking you to a land that generates many emotions. The film is definitely one to watch for all the family, no child should go without seeing it!

All in all Disney had done a wonderful job of recreating the magic that Barrie created with his play. The music and underscore adds to the mood of the film, creating joy, tension or sadness where appropriate.

Main Characters of the Film

Peter Pan - Voice provided by Bobby Driscoll
Disney does show but slightly plays down Peter's mischievous nature that is more apparent in other adaptations. He is after all a child who lives for the adventure of Never Land. He is respected by many in Never Land including Tinker Bell, the mermaids, Tiger Lily and the Lost Boys. As the rival of Captain Hook he is often battling with pirates.

Wendy Darling - Voice provided by Kathryn Beaumont
Wendy is ultimately the caring motherly type, who enjoys telling stories to her younger brothers and wishes to experience an adventure of her own. She admires Peter greatly.

Tinker Bell - Human model provided by Margaret Kerry
Tink is the feisty side-kick of Peter Pan, she holds her companion close to her heart shown by her jealously towards Wendy. Tinker Bell represents the modern day woman; she is independent and will not be told what to do. She represents the magic of Disney in this film, allowing things that would not be possible in the real world to become a reality.

Captain Hook - Voice provided by Hans Conreid
From Hook's first appearance in the film, we become well aware of his hatred for his enemy Peter Pan, desperate to find his hide-out, he will do whatever it takes to locate him. Hook also has an ongoing battle with the crocodile, who wants to basically eat him, when he hears the tick-tock of the crocodile he is at his weakest, and this eventually causes his downfall.

Special Features

Disney has filled the DVD with hours worth of special features.

Disc 1

- Disney Song Selection
Some of the songs from the film can be heard and seen with a clip of the film here, including;
The Second Star to the Right
You Can Fly
A Pirate's Life
Following the Leader
Your Mother and Mine

- Peter's Playful Prank: Storybook
There is the option of read along or read to yourself.

- Audio Commentary
This is a collection of comments put together to fit in with parts of the film that they relate to.

- Sneak Peaks
Meet the Robinsons
Ratatouille
The Fox and the Hound Special Edition
The Fox and the Hound 2
Disneyland Paris 15 year celebration
Jungle Book 40th Anniversary Special Edition
Tinker Bell

Disc 2

Music and More

- Deleted song: "The Pirate Song"
With storyboard and direction
- "Never Land": The Lost Song
Found in the Disney archive, it was written for a version of Peter Pan that was not produced. Richard M Sherman was given the music and with slight changes came this song performed beautifully by Paige O'Hara. (Belle from Beauty and the Beast) The song seems to fit in well with the music of Peter Pan.
- Music Video: "Never Land"
- Music Video: "The Second Star to the Right"
Performed by T-Squad, a more upbeat version of the song.

Games and Activities

- English Read Along: Peter Pan
Shows the film with words highlighted at the bottom of the screen as they are said. A nice touch is a picture of the person speaking along with the words.
- Camp Never Land: Train to be a Lost Boy
- Smee's Sudoku Challenge
- Tarrrget Practice
- Tink's Fantasy Flight
The games will challenge younger children, giving good instruction.

Backstage Disney

- You Can Fly: The Making of Peter Pan
Walt Disney and Tinker Bell introduce a behind the scenes peak at Peter Pan. This featurette contains trivia such as early ideas and you can see some early drawings of the characters.
- In Walt's Words: "Why I Made Peter Pan"
This is a recreation of an article written by Walt Disney himself telling of his experience of Peter Pan as a child through adulthood.
- Tinker Bell: A Fairy's Tale
All about everyone's favourite fairy, it tells of the development of Tink from a ball of light to the character Disney created.
- The Peter Pan That Almost Was
Takes a look at ideas that were considered and rejected.
- Art Galleries
Including publicity and character design.
- The Peter Pan Story
Tells how the story was brought together.

Peter Pan's Virtual Flight
A virtual flight around London and Never Land available with or without the voice of Peter.

The special features will be appreciated by those who love this film as it gives great insights into the story and the way Walt came up with the idea. Definitely something to watch!

Directors: Clyde Geronimi
Wilfred Jackson

Writers: Milt Banta
J.M. Barrie (play)

Running Time: 77mins Approx 

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