As anxious fans await the theatrical 3D release of “Beauty and the Beast” that has been delayed until its 20th anniversary in 2011, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment has announced a Hi-Def Blu-ray edition of the movie for release on Oct. 5 of this year (2010).
It is the second title, following last year’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” to get the Diamond Collection treatment that includes a new restoration, pristine 7.1 Digital Surround Sound and hours of additional viewing experiences such as behind-the-scenes features, deleted scenes, enhanced music tracks, immersive games and more.
The only animated film ever to be one of the five nominees for an Academy Award for Best Picture (Disney/Pixar’s “Up” was among the expanded 10 nominees this year) won two Oscars in 1992 for Best Original Song (“Beauty and the Beast”) and Best Original Score.
Having been in the famous Disney vault since 2003, “Beauty and the Beast” will go back into the vault after a limited release window during which the Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack (2 Blu-ray Discs + DVD) will be priced at $39.99.