Disney's 1959 animated effort was the studio's most ambitious to date, a widescreen spectacle boasting a gorgeous waltz-filled score adapting Tchaikovsky. In the 14th century, the malevolent Maleficent (not dissimilar to the wicked Queen in Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs) taunts a king that his infant Aurora will fatally prick her finger on a spinning wheel before sundown on her 16th birthday. This, of course, would deny her a happily-ever-after with her true love. Things almost but not quite turn out that way, thanks to the assistance of some bubbly, bumbling fairies named Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather. It's not really all that much about the title character--how interesting can someone in the middle of a long nap be, anyway? Instead, those fairies carry the day, as well as, of course, good Prince Phillip, whose battle with the malevolent Maleficent in the guise of a dragon has been co-opted by any number of animated films since. See it in its original glory here. And Malificent's castle, filled with warthogs and demonic imps in a macabre dance celebrating their evil ways, manages a certain creepy grandeur. --David Kronke
Customer Reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: Walt Disney Classic Comment: Sleeping Beauty is one of my favorite Walt Disney movies so I purchased it to share with my granddaughter. She of course loves it too. We watch it almost everytime she visits. Customer Rating: Summary: Sleeping Beauty was awesome Comment: I bought 4 Sleeping Beauty.My nine grandchildern will love Her come Christmas.I bought one to see at my house, well should I tell you more? Customer Rating: Summary: prompt and perfect Comment: cannot comment beyond above as this is Christmas gift for grandchild and has not been viewed. Customer Rating: Summary: simply classic Comment: A timeless story; still classic. The new technology enhances the imagery and truly brings out the vividness of the colors. A very nice addition to one's collection. Customer Rating: Summary: As good as I remembered! Comment: My whole family enjoys watching it together. It brings back a lot of memories. Being in Blu-Ray makes it even better for viewing. Highly recommended for big and small kids, young and old adults.