While at the World Premiere of Solo: A Star Wars Story in Los Angeles, we had the fun opportunity to tour Disney’s Animation Research Library and Walt Disney’s Office. This was in anticipation of the release of The 65th Anniversary of Peter Pan on Blu-Ray DVD June 5. I was so excited to have an opportunity to review an early copy – here’s what you can expect:
Peter Pan: The Movie
I have said it before and I’ll say it again – Peter Pan has always been one of my favorite Disney movies. Long before I married into the Darling family, I wanted to be flying over the streets of London with Peter, spread pixie dust with Tink, and watching Hook go down.
I had the VHS (hush now, I’m dating myself) and watched it til the tape wore thin.
Needless to say, one of my favorite rides at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is Peter Pan. My dream of flying over London comes true every time I ride it.
So I was thrilled to be able to participate in the 65th Anniversary of Peter Pan this past month when I was invited to the Solo: A Star Wars Story Press Junket in Los Angeles. As part of that trip, we learned more about Peter Pan as we toured the Animation Research Library and saw actual prints and cells that were used 65 years ago to create the movie.
We also toured the offices where decisions were made about the movie – Walt Disney’s office has been recreated for tours and we had the opportunity to see it all. What an experience to be in the actual room where countless decisions about Walt Disney movies, television, and parks were made.
And finally, our family received a copy of the 65th Anniversary Signature Edition of Peter Pan on Blu-Ray and we were able to sit down together and watch this classic.
In “Peter Pan,” fantastic adventures await the Darling children—Wendy, John and Michael—when Peter Pan, the hero of their stories, whisks them away to the magical world of Never Land. After flying with Peter and the delightfully impish Tinker Bell past the “second star to the right and straight on till morning,” they explore the enchanted island and Peter’s secret hideout with the Lost Boys, and leap into high-flying battles with swashbuckling pirates and the infamous villain Captain Hook.
And for those who had not ever seen Peter Pan, it’s the perfect time to watch it or perhaps introduce your children to it. It’s colorful and imaginative and funny and beautiful. I know I keep saying it, but it is such a precious classic that brings back such fond childhood memories.
Peter Pan: Bonus Features
The 65th Anniversary Signature Edition of Peter Pan Blu-Ray had some great bonus features that tell how the movie came to life. To me, this is the real reason to buy the DVD. Beyond loving the movie, learning how it was created is so cool! Here’s what you will get:
Stories from Walt’s Office: Walt & Flight
“Think of the happiest things, it’s the same as having wings”. One thing you’ll notice inside Walt Disney’s office are all of the models and pictures of airplanes. Walt loved planes and was an aficionado of flying. As a continuation of the “Stories from Walt’s Office” series, we’ll soar into the world of one of Walt’s favorite pastimes and look at the history behind the company airplane he used to scout Central Florida looking for the perfect place to build his second theme park.
A “Darling” Conversation with Wendy & John: Kathryn Beaumont and Paul Collins
Join Disney Legend Kathryn Beaumont (the voice of Wendy) and Paul Collins (the voice of John) as they reunite for the first time in many years to reminisce and discuss their experiences working on Peter Pan, meeting Walt Disney and learning to fly … literally.
Sing Along:
“You Can Fly” – A new “Oke” rendition and graphic look of the classic Disney song, “You Can Fly,” with fun lyrics on screen and lots of your favorite “Peter Pan” characters.
“Never Smile at a Crocodile” – A new “Oke” rendition and graphic look of the deleted song, “Never Smile at a Crocodile”, with fun lyrics on screen and highlighting the relationship between Captain Hook and Tick- Tock the Crocodile.
Growing Up with Nine Old Men
“Peter Pan” is both a story of living with a child’s sense of openness to the world and an acknowledgement that the path to adulthood most often leads away from those qualities. A parallel of sorts to that duality can be found in Walt Disney and his core group of animators, the Nine Old Men, in their lives and in their work. Our short film will look at who they were and the parts they played in one of the most remarkable team of artists that ever worked together.
Deleted Songs
“The Pirate’s Song” – Original demo recording of the song played over concept art.
“Never Smile at a Crocodile” – With music played over static concept art of the crocodile from Peter Pan.
“The Boatswain Song” – With music played over static concept art of Captain Hook and his crew.
Deleted Scenes
“The Journey Home” – A proposed alternate ending where Peter asks the Lost Boys to return home with Wendy and the other children.
“Alternate Arrival” – A deleted scene where Wendy and the children are initially attacked by the Lost Boys because Tinker Bell tells them that Wendy is holding Peter captive. We also see in this version of the story that Nana the dog travels to Never Land with Wendy and the children.
Disney Song Select
Simply play the clip from the movie with subtitles underneath it.
- “The Second Star to the Right”
- “You Can Fly”
- “A Pirate’s Life”
- “Following the Leader”
- “Your Mother and Mine”
Audio Commentary Hosted by Roy Disney
Audio commentary hosted by Roy Disney, but carried on by several other people.
Music and More
“Never Land”: The Lost Song – A bonus piece that sets up the backstory of where this lost song was found and how Richard Sherman recomposed it.
Music Video: “Never Land” – Music Performed by Paige O’Hara – A music video of the song “Never Land”
Music Video: “The Second Star to the Right” – Music Performed by T-Squad – A music video of the song “The Second Star to the Right” performed by T-Squad.
Backstage Disney
You Can Fly: The Making of ‘Peter Pan’ – A making-of video of the 1953 Disney classic, “Peter Pan.”
In Walt’s Words: “Why I Made ‘Peter Pan'” – Based upon an article written by Walt Disney retold as a dramatic recreation.
Tinker Bell: A Fairy’s Tale – An introspective video on the creation, history and personality of the one and only “Tink.”
The Peter Pan That Almost Was
Hosted by Ron Clements and John Musker, we take a look at the storyboards and early concepts of a version of the “Peter Pan” film that never saw the light of day.
The “Peter Pan” Story
An original featurette for the film created in 1952.
Peter Pan Anniversary Edition Blu-Ray DVD is available June 5, 2018
The Peter Pan Anniversary Edition Blu-Ray DVD is the perfect summer movie to buy your children. It is such a timeless classic, it makes for a terrific family movie to watch during a hot summer afternoon. It is available to purchase today, so pick up a copy for yourself.
Want more Peter Pan fun? Check out my tour of Walt Disney’s Office AND our Peter Pan-themed Scavenger Hunt around the Walt Disney Studio Lots!
Other Articles from the Solo: A Star Wars Story Event you may enjoy:
I’m Going to the SOLO: A Star Wars Story Red Carpet World Premiere in Los Angeles!
My Experience at the World Premiere of Solo: A Star Wars Story (I Met Mark Hamill!)
7 Secrets from the Set of General Hospital
Star Wars Fans Will Not Be Disappointed – Solo: A Star Wars Story Review
Alden Ehrenreich Takes on the Pressure of Creating a New Han Solo
Emilia Clarke – The Newest Leading Lady of the Star Wars Universe
Ron Howard Takes on the Star Wars Franchise
Paul Bettany: How Do You Go from Vision to Villain?
Meet the New Chewbacca – Joonas Suotamo
The Newest Droid in the Star Wars Universe: Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Disclaimer: Disney sent me to Los Angeles on an all-expenses paid press trip, in exchange for my coverage of our time learning about the 65th Anniversary of Peter Pan. All opinions are my own.
