This year marks the 75th anniversary of Walt Disney’s iconic Alice in Wonderland. How will you celebrate this iconic cartoon classic? A tea party? A round of croquet? Falling into a literal rabbit hole? All good choices! But Disney has a new way for fans to enjoy its legendary animated film that might make you lose your head (metaphorically). It gave Alice in Wonderland a gorgeous 4K restoration that will soon be coming to both digital and Ultra HD Blu-ray.
Disney has announced a very special release. The Walt Disney Film Restoration team spent nine months remastering Alice in Wonderland. They focused on giving fans the version animators originally meant for them to see it. In a press release Disney explained the restoration process:
Artists completed a digital scan of the original nitrate Successive Exposure (SE) negatives, followed by extensive clean-up to address dust, warping, and age-related wear. The team also referenced original production artwork preserved by the Walt Disney Animation Research Library to ensure the restoration remained true to the filmmakers’ original intent, collaborating closely with Walt Disney Animation Studios veteran Michael Giaimo to review every shot and refine color and luminance.
Disney also shared a short reel showing how this version restores the film to its original glory. It’s really incredible to see in comparison. The 4K restoration of Alice in Wonderland adds color, vibrancy, and highlights the artistic vision set forth by Disney legend Mary Blair.
“This milestone restoration brings new depth and dimension to the film’s imaginative world, offering a vibrant presentation for longtime fans and a new generation of audiences alike,” said Kevin Schaeffer, Director of Restoration & Library Management, in a statement about the new Alice in Wonderland release.
Fans will get to see it in its entirety soon enought. This remastered Alice in Wonderland arrives on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and digital on May 5. This restored version will also arrive with what Disney calls a “robust collection of bonus features, offering rare behind-the-scenes and archival material.” That will include: footage with commentary by the voice of Alice, Kathryn Beaumont, companion shorts, deleted scenes, and music videos including “Beware the Jabberwock” and “If You’ll Believe in Me.”
We were leaning toward falling down a big rabbit hole as our preferred 75th-anniversary celebration. But that seems mad compared to watching this remastered version instead.