DVD Review: Mary Poppins 45th Anniversary Edition
A timeless Disney classic this new 45th Anniversary Edition of Mary Poppins is one that is for everyone. Containing more magic and more music than ever before. As a fitting tribute to the original classic this new version contains a plethera of interesting bonus features.
Just in time for the Academy Awards, this 5 Oscar winner, including Best Song and Best Actress in 1965 continues to hold up even in today’s time of computer animated films. The perfect blend of live action and the classic Disney animation gives Mary Poppins a wondrous and fantastic feel, combined by the performances of Dame Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke.
The story is still quite charming, based on the book series by PL Travers, which focuses on the idea of family and a father who doesn’t realize he is neglecting them, the kids act out in order to receive attention. The Banks family is the 1910 version of dysfunction today but with the classic Disney charm. Ultimately Mr. Banks hires the incomparable Mary Poppins shows up after the kids write their own advertisement for a fun and adventurous nanny who is kind-hearted and caring. Now the magic begins with an endless bag of fun, spoons full of sugar, tiding the nursery with the swoop of a finger, a journey through an animated countryside and the best song ever – Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
The new two-disc DVD features hours of captivating bonus material, including my favorite the all-new “Mary Poppins: From Page to Stage”, a fascinating documentary that takes audiences behind the scenes for an exclusive look at the making of the Tony Award winning musical produced with Cameron Mackintosh, and “Step in Time,” a never-before-filmed musical number performed by the original Broadway cast-also downloadable as an MP3 audio file. Bonus materials also include the ultimate “behind-the-scenes” movie documentary and reminiscences of the film’s stars and legendary composers Richard Sherman and Robert Sherman.
LIST OF BONUS FEATURES
All of these features are really cool and totally worth buying the DVD. Especially the family stuff.
Disney on Broadway
• Mary Poppins from Page to Stage -First a beloved children’s book, then a classic movie and
now a smash hit Broadway musical! Fans can follow the story of Mary Poppins from page to
stage as the creative team and cast discuss the creation of the musical production and
preparations for the upcoming North American tour*.
• Step in Time-The Broadway cast of Mary Poppins performs the never-before-filmed number
“Step in Time” from the show.
• Step in Time – A downloadable MP3 featuring the Broadway cast of Mary Poppins singing
“Step in Time,” featuring Ashley Brown as Mary Poppins and Gavin Lee as Bert.
• Video Intro By Scenic & Costume Designer, Bob Crowley
• Bob Crowley’s Design Galleries-Concept art, costume designs, set designs and set models
for the Broadway musical.
Audio Commentary
Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, Karen Dotrice and Richard Sherman recall the making of Mary Poppins.
• Poppins Pop-Up Fun Facts-Select this option and fun-filled facts about the creation of this
classic film pop up during viewing.
• Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious: The Making of Mary Poppins-The definitive behind-thescenes
look at how this unique and beloved film came into being.
• Movie Magic-A look at the special effect techniques used to bring the magical world of Mary
Poppins to life.
• The Gala World Premiere-Footage from the Red Carpet.
• Dick Van Dyke Make-Up Test
• Trailers, Ads and More from the Original Release and Reissue of the Film
• Mary Poppins Still Art Galleries
Music & More
• Disney’s Song Selection-The whole family can sing along to “A Spoonful of Sugar,”
“Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” and any of the film’s other memorable songs as the lyrics
pop up on screen. Each song can be selected separately or while watching the film.
• Magical Musical Reunion-Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke and songwriter Richard Sherman
reminisce about making Mary Poppins and the music that makes it so special.
• A Musical Journey with Richard Sherman -A delightful magical journey through some of the
film’s locations with co-composer Richard Sherman, who reveals surprising secrets about the
music of Mary Poppins along the way.
Bonus Short
• The Cat That Looked at a King-Live action and animation bring a chapter of P.L. Travers’
Mary Poppins Opens the Door to life! Julie Andrews takes viewers into a magical animated
world created in the style of the whimsical chalk drawings in Mary Poppins.
Deleted Song
• “Chimpanzoo”-A reconstruction of a song that did not appear in the movie using original
storyboard and concept art, accompanied by a new rendition of the song performed by cocomposer
Richard Sherman.
