The Rescuers Comes to Blu-Ray in a 2 Movie Collection

I'm back with something that has nothing to do with theme parks or internet memes - Disney has released The Rescuers and The Rescuers Down Under on Blu-ray for the first time in a 2 Movie Collection Combo Pack. And guess what? You're stuck with me reviewing it!

Okay, one meme. But that's it.



This 3 disc package includes 1 Blu-ray disc with both films, and then each film receives its own dedicated DVD. Unlike most Blu-ray/DVD combo packs, the same bonus features are available on both platforms.

What struck me right off the bat was the hilarious Blu-ray menu, which features incredibly melodramatic 70's music from the movie in a laughably short loop. Kudos to them for creating a kinetic and visually pleasing menu for a minor catalogue release, but the music puts it on another level. I giggled all the way until I got the first movie to start playing.

The Rescuers holds up marginally well. It's definitely a second-stringer in the Disney canon, as is its sequel, but it is pretty charming. Bernard and Bianca are incredibly likable, as is Penny, the missing child they're off to save. Geraldine Page practically devours her microphone giving voice to the film's baddie, Madame Medusa, in a performance so drag queen over-the-top, it's a wonder she wasn't tranquilized for her own good in the recording studio. The animation is typical 70's Disney - it looks cheap and Blu-ray is not a forgiving medium. The Xeroxing process used to save on frames in production renders jumpy images that benefit from a bit of blur, which HD does not provide. The colors are even kinda muddy. It's obvious that this did not receive a Diamond Edition-level restoration, but that's to be expected.

What really sticks out to me in this film is the music - it's hilarious. "Tomorrow is Another Day" has such laughable hippie lyrics that have nothing to do with the story. The horns, the flute; it's hopelessly 70's, much to my delight. Kids won't notice the lack of timeless tunes ("Rescue Aid Society" excluded), but for adults, The Rescuers will take you right back to bellbottoms and platforms.

The Rescuers Down Under takes the original story, changes some names and locales and brings little new to the table except for vastly improved visuals and a little romantic tension. Bernard and Bianca end up in the Outback chasing down an impossibly ludicrous villain named McLeach, voiced by Patton himself, George C. Scott. Like Page in the first film, Scott brings such gusto to his performance that one wonders if he is not actually a cartoon himself. Visually, the advent of CGI and character details makes for a much better viewing experience, though the restoration is again a bit disappointing. The colors don't pop in the way Beauty and the Beast or The Lion King do on Blu-ray, owing to the fact that those films were digitally sourced. Down Under was brought to Blu-ray from a print and not its digital source (God only knows why - they surely have it), so the quality never quite hits the heights Blu-ray can afford.

While I'm grateful Disney found space on the disc for special features, they're pretty lackluster. The Three Blind Mouseketeers is a Silly Symphonies short from the 30's and deleted song "Peoplitis" is a head-shaking exercise. Academy Award-winning True Life Adventure film (about a half hour in length) Water Birds is also included - I guess because there are birds in The Rescuers? You know what, your guess is as good as mine. It's pretty boring. There's also a sing-along version of "Someone's Waiting for You", a sappy song from the first film, in case you wanted to croon along with the Carly Simon soundalike.

A short "Making of The Rescuers Down Under" is the sole feature dedicated to the sequel, and I remember it also being included on a Disney classic VHS in 1990 (I want to say it was on The Little Mermaid video as an extended preview, but I can't recall). Talented but awkward artists (including a young Glen Keane) comment on the creation of the film, with no mention of the voice cast. Mildly diverting, but nothing new is revealed here.

It's not often you can get two REAL Disney animated features for the price of one, and because of that this set is worth picking up. The films are innocent and sweet (if not a bit clunky) but are deserving a spot on any family's shelf.

Have you seen The Rescuers ​films on Blu-ray? What did you think?




Drew Hackney is the author of The Small World Ninja Ultimate Guide to Walt Disney World: The #1 Guide to No Stress Epic Disney Vacations, and keeps up with the latest Disney World vacation planning tips at his blog. He resides in the midwest with his beautiful wife and scheming chihuahua, and escapes to Disney as often as possible. In addition to an unhealthy obsession with the Mouse, he loves 30 Rock, Nutella and taxidermy. For a limited time, MouseInfo readers can get a special discount on his book along with a free preview chapter and access to live Disney trip planning Q & A!