Korkis Korner: The Song of the South Frequently Asked Questions

[MousePlanet AutoPoster]

The Song of the South Frequently Asked Questions by Jim Korkis

Jim heads down the briar patch to explore the controversial Disney film.

Read it here!

[RStar]

It is a wonderful film, and such a shame that Disney won't release it. I understand they are trying to protect their image, but as you pointed out, Jim, there are other films out there that are more contriversial. Thank you!

[carolinakid]

I love Song of the South. I first saw it as a child during its 1972 rerelease and I was absolutely enchanted. I immediately bought the soundtrack album and I remember buying the storyteller album at WDW a couple of years later. I saw it again during its 1986 rerelease never knowing that would be the last time it would be shown in the USA. I have since purchased a bootleg copy but I'd certainly love to see and would buy an official release here. When I was in Europe I saw Song of the South available for sale in many stores. I'm glad Splash Mountain keeps its legacy alive. I will purchase the print edition of Jim's book.

[BrerFrog]

I am also a big fan of Song of the South, as you can see from my Login Name...! I have a nice VHS version of it from Japan, which requires no conversion. A nice bonus is the ad at the beginning for Tokyo Disneyland's Splash Mountain!

I will put the book on my Christmas wish-list.

Scott

[mrshiny]

Actually, there is one format people in the US can buy that needs no conversion - the Japanese laser disc. Of course you need a laser disc player, but the quality is very good. It's mono with one channel English and one Japanese. The songs have Japanese subtitles, but other than that it is the original film.

[Cory Gross]

I have a copy of Song of the South courtesy of a kind friend and what struck me about the objections in comparison to the movie is that it's ultimate fault is that it is a Disney movie. It represents the Reconstruction era exactly the way a Disney movie would: pleasant, full of relatively happy people singing songs. It doesn't deal with complex issues of racial politics because it's a Disney movie.

Personally I think Disney is doing a disservice to itself by refusing to release the film and allowing people to make up their own minds about it. However, I can't fault it. On the one hand, I am no one to tell anyone that they shouldn't be offended by something. This is especially true given that I am white and the offended parties are still dealing with systemic oppression that I have not had to deal with. On the other hand, Disney's product is its image. More than movies, theme parks, TV shows, music, or anything else, Disney sells its image. Because it sells its image - good-natured, family-oriented, warm-feeling - it has to be careful of that image. It can't afford to have negative associations with that image. I think they're wrong about not releasing it, but it's not my call.

[DisneyGator]

I do wish it would come out on blu-ray. I do have a copy that was obviously from a VHS, transferred to DVD. Not good quality, but at least me and my kids can watch it.

I'm positive that Disney will never release it. In this society, those who scream against this film are protected by the mainstream media. Disney would be villified, and blacks would be urged by the NAACP and the likes to boycott Disney altogether, costing the company millions. That's just not good business.

IMO, it seems that those who would most wish to eliminate racism do whatever they can to perpetuate it. Whether it's money or power they seek, it seems to only harm all Americans in the end. I look forward to the day when we can all watch Song of the South and not be offended by it because of the notions of today's current idealogues.