Product Details

• Actors: Ann-Margret, Christian Bale, Robert Duvall, Marty Belafsky, Bill Pullman
• Directors: Andrew Laszlo, Kenny Ortega
• Writers: Bob Tzudiker, Noni White
• Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0)
• Subtitles: English, Spanish, French
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Walt Disney Home Video
• DVD Release Date: January 15, 2002
• Run Time: 121 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (723 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00005OCMS
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,515 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
  • #19 in Movies & TV > DVD > Musicals
• Learn more about "Newsies (Collector's Edition)" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Except for feature-length animation, the musical has gone the way of the dinosaur. The Walt Disney company took a stab at reviving the live-action musical in 1992 with Newsies, a throwback picture with a curious subject. In 1899, the pint-sized newsboys delivering the New York papers go on strike against the unfair practices of news magnates Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst. The production is heavy on kiddie humor, although Christian Bale (the child star of Spielberg's Empire of the Sun) is charismatic as one of the older leaders of the revolt. The adult stars don't fare as well, with Robert Duvall doddering around as Pulitzer and Ann-Margret and Bill Pullman doing decorative duty. The film was not well received when first released, but hindsight reveals its charm (and allowed the young target audience to catch up with the picture on video). The first-time director is Kenny Ortega, the choreographer of Dirty Dancing, who brings plenty of energy to the action. --Robert Horton

Product Description

The film was inspired by a real-life strike that occurred in 1899 when a group of newsboys took on publishing giant Joseph Pulitzer and won.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

105 of 111 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars From a straight, male reviewer! Wow! September 22, 2001

By Monty Moonlight VINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

From the looks of it, I MAY be the only male reviewer posting positive for this movie, but of course I only read the first several reviews, not all 300 plus. I saw Newsies when it first came out in the movies. I believe it was a double feature, with Aladdin or something, can't remember which. I guess I was around 17. I've always been a loyal Disney fan, and I do love many musicals. This was an instant classic for me, sort of a male version of Annie, which came out a decade or so before, and is also excellent. And I seem to recall that Annie and Popeye, two faves of mine, sort of marked the end of live-action musicals. A real shame. Newsies proves that great musicals can still be made, but it also proves that it can take some time for most modern people to admit they like it. The story is about the 1899 strike of the New York paperboys. The central characters are Jack Kelly, a streetwise orphan played by Christian Bale(the main reason most females love this movie), and David Jacobs, a kid from a more stable, family lifestyle. Through the course of the strike they put on, the two boys become unlikely best friends, and with the other Newsies, learn about loyalty, friendship, and believing that they can work together to fight for a better life. The songs and music are beautiful. I'm particular about that stuff too. Don't trust professional reviewers like Leonard Maltin, whose reviews are inconsistent at best. Just when you think he's got good taste from reading one review, you lose all faith in him by reading another. Judge this movie for yourself. If you don't like musicals, don't bother. You have to love musicals to enjoy this even a little bit. And I don't mean just stuff like Oklahoma or Dr. Dolittle. If you loved Annie, this might be a good one for you. A little more adult than that, but not much.... Don't expect to see many female characters though. Ann Margaret has a small part as one of the kids' few adult friends, and there's the character of David's sister, purely there to present a love interest for Christian Bale, just so someone would have a love interest. She's not spectacular, but she IS cute. Bill Pullman does a great job as a reporter trying to help the Newsies get some publicity. This was the first time I ever saw Bill since Space Balls, though I wasn't really keeping track of his career. I'm so glad to hear this will be on DVD soon. And I hope they release more of Disney's late 80's, early 90's stuff on DVD. Like Dick Tracy! A visual masterpiece! And my favorite movie of all time, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, is badly in need of a Special Edition DVD! Such a spectacular film and we didn't even get the movie trailer promised on the box! Anyway, as for Newsies, get the soundtrack too! Great music! I bought the soundtrack back when the movie came out! Unfortunately it was on tape. Gotta replace that with a CD too! Read more ›

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This movie is a MUST see, works for all ages! =D June 14, 1999

By A Customer

Format:VHS Tape

"Newsies" is a very fun filled movie based on actual events of the newsboys strike. Its educational, but it does not lack in fun. The choreography amazes , and astounds me. The music is wonderfully put together and catchy. I find myself singing it throughout the day. The lead characters Jack Kelly played by Christian Bale, puts on an astounding performance (The ladies will fall for him quickly, I know I did) as the leader of the Newsie pack who first decides to go on strike, his friend David helps him by giving him the words to say to start it, and stands by his side to help fight for their rights. Its touching and it fills your heart with excitement and joy. Don't miss out on this wonderful musical. One of Disney's absolute BEST! I first saw it when I was 12, and I loved it then, and I LOVE it now! Go see it, You won't regret it.

44 of 49 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply in the wrong place at the wrong time August 28, 1999

By [e-mail]

Format:VHS Tape

The world was not ready for a return to the days of the movie-musical when "Newsies" was released in 1992. A box-office flop, it has quickly risen to cult classic status with fans everywhere. Newsies is based on the true story of the New York newsboys' strike of 1899. Granted, Disney is guilty of "improving the truth a little", but doesn't any musical, where people break out in spontaneous song and dance, require one to put reality aside for a while? This film tells the tale of the newsies, led by tough, street-smart Jack Kelly (Christian Bale) and intelligent, reasonable David Jacobs (David Moscow), who form a union when Joseph Pulitzer (Robert Duvall) ups the price of newspapers from fifty to sixty cents a hundred. The street children - with names like Racetrack (Max Casella), a compulsive gambler who steals many scenes with his wisecracks - are aided by a newspaper reporter named Brian Denton (Bill Pullman). Together the unlikely company endures many troubles, including run-ins with the police and their leader's betrayal, throughout the strike. The actors are believable as poor orphans and runaways during the turn of the century, and one look at any of them shows that they've poured their heart and soul into this movie. The lack of depth in some characters - especially Sarah (Ele Keats) and Medda Larkson (Ann-Margret), roles that serve no discernable purpose other than sex appeal - is my only qualm with the film. Looking past that and the many continuity errors (some of which are actually quite amusing), this is a highly enjoyable movie for the entire family to share. Not a masterpiece, but plenty of entertainment!

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Comment from a Parent December 25, 2001

By Kimberley U. Scott

Format:DVD

I am offended by the professional critics slamming this movie. My two teenage daughters and all their friends absolutely love it! It has incredible dancing, cute guys, and the above-mentioned females are constantly quoting the songs and lines out of this movie. It has a solid plot - and actually holds the characters up to noble ideals...honesty, integrity, loyalty, love of family - and criticizes things that I want my kids to hate: greed, breaking promises, etc. There is a touch of romance, but no sex! Yeah!
The fact that it is based (I believe somewhat loosely) in historical fact also pleases me as it has given my kids a taste of that portion of US history and a desire to learn more. We have managed to purchase a piano/flute book of the songs - so my kids have also been challenged to improve in another area.
This is a great movie for girls from 11 years and up. (I say this only because my 10 year old is not ready to obsess over this movie yet.)
Newsies has inspired both of my older girls to write stories based on the characters.
The reference to "kiddie humor" is particularly annoying. I, for one, am tired of watching movies geared towards kids that feature "potty humor" such as farting and boys getting hit in the crotch. I can't think of anything in Newsies that is that ignorant.
As you can see, I think this is a great movie. Why do the professionals always dislike the decent movies?