Review: Mary Poppins: 50th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray
There are probably a handful of films that everyone can universally agree on as being amongst the greatest of all time, and Walt Disney’s “Mary Poppins” would be on that short list. Along with “The Wizard of Oz,” this is one of the best musicals ever to make it to the big screen. From Julie Andrews’ portrayal of the perfect nanny in her first ever movie role, to the amazing songs that everyone knows and loves (“Spoonful of Sugar” and the Oscar-winning “Chim-Chim-Cheree” to name but a few), the movie has something for everybody. The film has so many magical Disney effects, that it’s hard to pick one as a standout. The “Jolly Holiday” sequence, with the perfectly melded live-action and animation, is among the best scenes ever. In fact, there is so many little things going on visually, that you sometimes miss them or even forget they are even there.
Without a doubt, “Mary Poppins” is a timeless classic that has captured the imaginations of fans of all ages for many years, and this 50th Anniversary Edition will continue to make new fans for years to come. The quality of the transfer is top-notch, with the video being in 1080P utilizing the AVC Codec, and the audio is available in DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 along with Dolby Digital 2.0 and 5.1 sound mixes. With all of the positives about this movie, it would have been an easy for Disney to simply put out the Blu-ray and leave it at that, skimping on any bonus features. Thankfully, they didn’t take that approach as the extra features on the Blu-ray justify the purchase by themselves. They are that good.
The special features include:
- Mary-Oke: Four songs from “Mary Poppins” including “Spoon Full of Sugar,” “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” Step In Time,” and “Chim Chim Cher-ee” are given a nice sing along treatment that allows you to sing-along to the lyrics that display on screen. Take a look at an example of the “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” bonus below:
- Becoming Mr. Sherman: An excellent sit down with Composer Richard Sherman and Jason Schwartzman, who just so happens to play him in the upcoming “Saving Mr. Banks.” They discuss the songs in “Mary Poppins” and you get some insight into “Saving Mr. Banks.”
- Audio Commentary: Featuring Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, Karen Dotrice (Jane Banks) and the Sherman brothers.
“Mary Poppins” Cast
Directed by Robert Stevenson
Produced by Walt Disney
Screenplay by Bill Walsh, Don DaGradi
Based on Mary Poppins by P. L. Travers
Starring
Julie Andrews
Dick Van Dyke
David Tomlinson
Glynis Johns
Hermione Baddeley
Karen Dotrice
Matthew Garber
Elsa Lanchester
Arthur Treacher
Reginald Owen
Ed Wynn
Music by Richard M. Sherman
Robert B. Sherman
Cinematography Edward Colman
Editing by Cotton Warburton
Studio Walt Disney Productions
Distributed by Buena Vista Distribution
Release dates
August 27, 1964
Running time 139 minutes
Bonus Video Clips:
Bonus Clip: Quality to the Studio
Description: Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke and Richard Sherman remember how kindly they were treated on this film and even break into song (and dance)!
Description: Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke reminisce about Dick’s antics when costumed up as Mr. Dawes Senior on the Disney lot.
Description: Karen Dotrice (Jane Banks) remembers her utter delight at the on-set magic she experience as a child.
