For Immediate Release

AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME
ON DISNEY DVD & VIDEO

Beauty & The Beast

Disney's Second Platinum Edition Release Featuring
All-New Musical Sequence "Human Again"

2-Disc DVD Includes THREE Versions Of The Film

BURBANK, Calif., March 1, 2002 -- Disney's masterpiece BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: SPECIAL EDITION will be available for the first time ever on Disney DVD and video as a special "Platinum Edition" title from Walt Disney Home Entertainment. The only animated film ever nominated for an Academy Award(R) for Best Picture, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST earned a breathtaking six Academy Award(R) nominations and won two Oscars(R), for Best Song "Beauty and the Beast" and Best Score (1991).

Now, this "tale as old as time" is new again with footage, never-before-released on DVD or video, including the song "Human Again." Originally conceived for the film but never used, "Human Again" became a hit during the Broadway run of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and has now been fully animated and integrated into the film by the original creators and animators.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: SPECIAL EDITION DVD represents the film's first-ever digital presentation with enhanced picture and sound for home viewing. This classic has been meticulously restored and painstakingly reformatted one frame at a time, allowing audiences to enjoy even greater animated detail. Under the guidance of producer Don Hahn and directors Kirk Wise and Gary Trousdale, the film's original tracks have been remixed and a team of top artists and technicians worked to make this "Special Edition" the best possible.

The Disney DVD features three versions of the film: the Special Edition, with the all-new musical sequence, the Original Theatrical Edition, and the Work-In-Progress Edition, as shown at the 1991 New York Film Festival.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: SPECIAL EDITION will be available October 8, 2002 for a limited time only. 2-disc DVD: $29.99 (S.R.P.). VHS: $24.99 (S.R.P.). Prebook date is August 27.

The Platinum Edition release of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: SPECIAL EDITION features the new-to-DVD and video song and segment "Human Again," one of the fabled collaborations of the Oscar(R)-winning musical team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken. "Human Again" garnered such overwhelming response during the Broadway release of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST that it has now been fully animated. This wonderful song is sung from the perspective of the enchanted objects, who long to see castle life return to the days when the Beast was human, and features all the original voice talent from the film. The animation for "Human Again" has been in production for over two years.

Disney animators including the legendary animator Glen Keane (BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, TARZAN, POCAHONTAS and many more) animated "Human Again" exclusively for the 2002 release of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: SPECIAL EDITION. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: SPECIAL EDITION is the second of Disney's Platinum Edition DVDs and follows the success of SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS, which released to strong critical acclaim and has become the top-selling DVD for a re-released title. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: SPECIAL EDITION represents the first ever "Experiential" DVD, which takes DVD entertainment to a whole new level. Viewers will become a participant in the movie's storyline via special character interactions and activities created exclusively for this "Experiential" DVD release.

Woven into the fabric of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: SPECIAL EDITION are seven outstanding songs including the Oscar(R)-winning title song, "Beauty and the Beast" (Best Song, 1991). Some of the highlights include "Be Our Guest," the show-stopping spectacular delivered in grand style by Lumiere, Mrs. Potts, Cogsworth, a chorus of silverware and dancing plates, and the beautiful Oscar(R) nominated "Belle."

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: SPECIAL EDITION features a cast of top vocal talent. Veteran stage actress and singer Paige O'Hara is the voice of Belle, one of Disney's most beloved and independent heroines, and Robby Benson ("Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed In At the House of Mouse") delivers a powerful portrayal of The Beast. Acclaimed screen star and four-time Tony Award winner Angela Lansbury (TV's "Murder, She Wrote;" "Fantasia 2000") gives a bubbly performance as Mrs. Potts. Stage and screen star Jerry Orbach (TV's "Law and Order," "House of Mouse") shines as the voice of Lumiere, the passionate candelabra, and David Ogden-Stiers ("Atlantis The Lost Empire") is hilarious as Cogsworth, the tightly-wound mantel clock who functions as the head of the household.

Set in and around a quaint French village during the late 18th Century, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: SPECIAL EDITION follows the fantastic adventures of Belle, a bright and beautiful young woman who finds escape from her ordinary life, and the advances of a boorish suitor, Gaston, by reading books. Meanwhile, off in a castle in the distance, a cruel young prince is cast under the spell of an enchantress who turns him into a tormented beast, and transforms his servants into animated household objects. In order to remove the curse, the Beast must discover a true love who will return his affection before the last petal falls from an enchanted rose. When Belle's inventor father stumbles upon the Beast's castle and is taken prisoner, Belle comes to the rescue and agrees to take her father's place. With the help of the castle's enchanted staff, she sees beneath the Beast's exterior and discovers the heart and soul of a human prince.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST SPECIAL EDITION DVD FEATURES

-- The all-new "Experiential" DVD experience: this ingenious new approach to DVD dissolves the boundaries between fantasy and reality and transports the viewer into the enchanted worlds of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
-- An all-new backstory of the movie is unveiled as the DVD user breaks the "enchanted spell."
-- 3-D environments transport you into the world of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
-- Viewers communicate with characters and become part of the story

DISC ONE:

THE VIEWER IS TRANSPORTED INTO THE STORY, AND BELLE'S PROVINCIAL FRENCH VILLAGE COMES ALIVE

-- All-Digital Presentation Utilizing An All-New High Definition Transfer for the DVD
-- Widescreen 1.66:1 Aspect Ratio, Enhanced for 16x9 Screens
-- Dolby(R) Digital 5.1 Surround Sound Newly Created For The 2002 Large Format Release
-- THX Certified
-- French Language Track
-- Three Enchanted Versions of the Film Special Edition
-- Includes the all-new musical sequence "Human Again" Original Theatrical Edition
-- The animated film masterpiece audiences around the world know and love Work In Progress Edition
-- As shown at the 1991 New York Film Festival
-- Audio Commentary From The Filmmakers
-- Karaoke/Sing-Along Track
-- Watch the film and sing along to all your favorite BEAUTY AND THE BEAST songs as the words pop up on the screen
-- Maurice's Invention Workshop Game
-- Help Chip in Maurice's Workshop and begin a journey that continues on Disc 2 in which the viewer can break the spell and make all the enchanted characters human again

DISC TWO:

ENTER THE ENCHANTED CASTLE AND EXPLORE ITS MANY SECRETS WITH VISITS TO FOUR DISTINCT CHARACTER WORLDS MRS. POTTS - FUN FOR ALL AGES

-- The Story Behind The Story
-- The viewer is transported into Belle's library as celebrity hosts Celine Dion, James Earl Jones, David Ogden Stiers, Ming Na, Angela Lansbury, Robby Benson, Page O'Hara and Jodi Benson share the stories behind several of Disney's most beloved characters
-- A Tale As Old As Time
-- "Making of" featurette.
-- Character Profile Game
-- Which character from the film do you most resemble? Mrs. Potts will tell you
-- "Beauty And The Beast" Broadway Musical Featurette

CHIP'S - PERFECT FOR THE YOUNGER ADVENTURER

-- Disney's Animation Magic
-- Go backstage with the young stars of the Disney Channel's hit show, "Even Stevens"
-- Chip's Musical Challenge Game
-- Test your memory and musical ability with this all-new game. Plays in 5.1 Surround Sound.
-- "Beauty And The Beast" Music Video By Jump 5
-- All-new musical recording of the song "Beauty and the Beast" by pop sensation Jump 5

WEST WING - THE FORBIDDEN WORLD

-- "Break The Spell" Adventure Game
-- The game acts as a mini-movie adventure in which the viewer must navigate through several levels of action and magic. Reach the magic rose in time to break the enchanted spell and save Beast and all the characters before it is too late and the last petal falls

COGSWORTH AND LUMIERE - FOR THE ULTIMATE COLLECTOR & FILM FAN

-- Bringing The Story To The Screen
-- Early Presentation Reel
-- Alternate Version: "Be Our Guest"
-- Alternate Score: The Transformation
-- Original Demo Recordings With Introduction By Alan Menken
-- Designing Beauty And The Beast
-- Art & Design Gallery
-- The Characters
-- Character Galleries
-- Animating Beauty And The Beast
-- Pencil Version: The Transformation
-- Animation Tests
-- Setting The Stage
-- Layouts & Background Gallery
-- Tricks Of The Trade
-- Camera Move Test
-- Release & Reaction
-- Poster & Ad Design
-- Trailers & TV Spots
-- Large Screen Format Trailer
-- And More

ALL DVD BONUS MATERIAL IS UNRATED AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

Walt Disney Home Video is distributed by Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc., a recognized industry leader. Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc. is the marketing, sales and distribution company for Walt Disney, Touchstone, Miramax, Dimension and Buena Vista videocassettes and DVDs. Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc., a recognized leader in the home entertainment industry for over 15 years, is the marketing, sales and distribution company for Walt Disney, Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax, Dimension and Buena Vista videocassette and DVD product.

A marketing innovator, BVHE's efforts have been vital to the success of the multi-billion dollar home entertainment industry. BVHE brought the concept of purchasing videos, or "sell through," to retail stores and pioneered the "video premiere" market for animated films. In synergy with all aspects of the Walt Disney Company, BVHE continues as an industry trendsetter for the 21st Century.

End of release