Product Details

• Actors: Sterling Holloway, Edward Brophy, James Baskett, Herman Bing, Billy Bletcher
• Directors: Ben Sharpsteen, Bill Roberts, Jack Kinney, John Elliotte, Norman Ferguson
• Writers: Aurelius Battaglia
• Format: Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: G (General Audience)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Walt Disney Home Video
• VHS Release Date: October 23, 2001
• Run Time: 64 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (317 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00005KARJ
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,084 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

A Disney "classic" that actually is a classic, Dumbo should be part of your video collection whether or not you have children. The storytelling was never as lean as in Dumbo, the songs rarely as haunting (or just plain weird), the characters rarely so well defined. The film pits the "cold, cruel, heartless" world that can't accept abnormality against a plucky, and mute, hero. Jumbo Jr. (Dumbo is a mean-spirited nickname) is ostracized from the circus pack shortly after his delivery by the stork because of his big ears. His mother sticks up for him and is shackled. He's jeered by children (an insightful scene has one boy poking fun at Dumbo's ears, even though the youngster's ears are also ungainly), used by the circus folk, and demoted to appearing with the clowns. Only the decent Timothy Q. Mouse looks out for the little guy. Concerns about the un-PC "Jim Crow" crows, who mock Dumbo with the wonderful "When I See an Elephant Fly," should be moderated by remembering that the crows are the only social group in the film who act kindly to the little outcast. If you don't mist up during the "Baby Mine" scene, you may be legally pronounced dead. --Keith Simanton

Product Description

One of Disney's greatest classics, DUMBO is the timeless inspirational tale of courage, loyalty, and triumph. Now, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of this beloved high-flying adventure, DUMBO makes his first flight onto DVD, digitally restored and remastered to the original glory that captured the hearts of audiences all over the world. With a "Big Top" full of bonus features, there's something for audiences of all ages to enjoy. Featuring an all-new rendition of "Baby Mine" performed by Michael Crawford, Disney's "Celebrating Dumbo" Featurette, two Sing-Along Songs, and two animated shorts -- plus an exclusive sneak peek at Disney's DUMBO II and more -- this special 60th Anniversary Edition of the timeless Disney favorite soars to greater heights than ever before!

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

154 of 160 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stereotypical? Figure Out How To Use It, Not Abuse It!, February 11, 2003

By 

Richard R. Carlton (Ada, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dumbo (60th Anniversary Edition) (DVD)

Why am I not surprised that there is someone reviewing this classic who trashes it as if they had never seen it and were offended by the cultural sensitivity issues that are part of the film. (See the Tallahassee reviewer titled "Do not purchase this video for children" January 21, 2003) For crying out loud, this script reflects what was normal at the time the film was first released. It's full of classic pieces that of course include a white dominated societal commentary on what was perceived as appropriate black cultural roots at that time. Is it outdated? Sure, so is nearly every other film from that era. Does this make it less of a classic? Absolutely not. In fact, this is the *real* Disney, long before it was sanitized for the Anaheim-Orlando crowd. Is the film inappropriate for a 21st century kid? That's a parental decision, but if you plan to shelter your child from the real history of the U.S., they will have a rude awakening (with all the accompanying psychoses) that you *won't* be able to control. My kids loved this film when they were very young.....we talked about the cultural issues by the time they were in school.....in fact, I distinctly remember them coming home to ask why some kids treated others so badly because of the color of their skin, their accents, etc. We used Dumbo to show them what used to be, was is today, and how to deal with it. And there was never a place where the original empathy of the film was lost on them. They have repeatedly made personal decisions and stood up against improper cultural slurs their entire lives (they are all either in college or their final years of high school now). I've been pleased with how they can see a cultural slur coming and are not willing to put up with any of the culturally "acceptable" ways of trashing others' ethnicity.

Now, what about the film? This is a great Disney classic from the days when there was a full bodied, earthy smell to what they did. It's release in this format provides a historical window on American culture from the 1950s that is true and clear. It loses nothing in the 21st century translation and in fact, gains considerably from it's historical context. A great child's film that every adult needs to understand!

136 of 156 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for two and three year olds and everyone else too!, June 27, 2001

By 

Vincent O'Sullivan (London, England.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dumbo (60th Anniversary Edition) (DVD)

Dumbo is a cinematic milestone and masterpiece of family entertainment. The storyline and characters are well rounded enough (just) to entertain adults and older children and the quality of the animation both holds children's attention and enables them to empathise with the principle characters. In addition, the moral of the story is well presented without being clumsily overstated as in much modern animation.

Both my children have frequently watched this DVD (which first came out (without extras) in Europe in 1999) since they were one and both enjoy it imensely.

I'm both astonished and disturbed that anyone could deem this movie unsuitable for children but can only assume they come from the same group of people who banned Robin Hood books from schools for being 'pro communist' and Shakespeare for being 'too explicit'!

The 'drunken scene' is funny, brief and discrete (all you see is the shadows of characters through canvas). As to fast forwarding through the dream sequence for the kids' benefit because it is 'too long' that is verging on irresponsible. All doing so teaches a child is that it's OK to have a short attention span and to zoom through films to the 'interesting bits'. Perhaps I was wrong though and the moral of the story has been hidden too deeply "Persevere - Don't Give Up" is lost on some people.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Disney film of all time, May 24, 2000

By 

jasenao (Dothan, Alabama, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dumbo [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I grew up watching just about all of the Disney movies that have ever came out and now I'm 19 and can't wait for my kids to watch all the Disney films I still have, especially "Dumbo." I have one question, how can anybody not give "Dumbo" a perfect 5 stars? It defines classic in more ways than just about any other Disney film. It tells the classic story of friendship between Dumbo and Timothy the mouse. Dumbo eventually ends up back with his mom at the end of the movie.

I could write a review on just about every Disney film that's ever been made, but Dumbo is the only one that I really like enough even now that I'm grown, to write a review of. It has some of the best classic songs and sounds from any of the Disney films and my favorite part of the movie is when Dumbo and the mouse get drunk and see all the pink elephants. "Dumbo" is what I would call a true classic in every way.