Cinderella’s 4K restoration team discovered long-standing color inaccuracies

In the recent restoration of Cinderella, veteran Disney animator and director Eric Goldberg had a specific goal in mind: to rectify the color discrepancies that had plagued the beloved animated classic over the years. Goldberg humorously acknowledges that Cinderella’s hair and dress had undergone various color shifts, from her hair resembling “Cheez Whiz” to her dress appearing as bright blue. The aim of this restoration was to restore these iconic elements to their original shades.

Kevin Schaeffer, the director of restoration at Walt Disney Studios, acknowledges that the reasons for these color alterations in previous releases remain unclear. While previous restoration attempts were well-intentioned, they often resulted in interpretations that strayed from the original color palette. A sort of “copy of a copy” phenomenon emerged, leading to inaccuracies in reproducing the intended colors.

Unlike previous restorations, the team behind this Cinderella restoration had access to the original 1950 prints of the film, housed in the Library of Congress. This direct connection to the source material allowed them to bypass the cycle of interpretations and return to the authentic colors intended by the creators. Eric Goldberg brought in reference art from the animation research library to ensure accuracy, particularly regarding the hair color and the mother’s dress.

The restoration process was meticulous, with attention given to even the minutest details. Elements such as the colors of the clothing worn by the tiny animals and the intricate patterns within dark scenes were meticulously corrected. One example Goldberg highlights is Gus-Gus the mouse’s shirt, which had previously been inaccurately depicted as mustard yellow instead of its intended green.

Moreover, the team worked on enhancing the depth and lighting of the film. Michael Giaimo, another key figure in the restoration process, focused on adjusting dark areas to maintain clarity and distinguish different layers of darkness. The restoration team’s dedication is especially evident in scenes such as Cinderella’s coach ride through town, which now showcases the coach illuminated against the backdrop of the dark streets.

While returning to the original prints was pivotal to maintaining the essence of the film, technological advancements also played a significant role. The restoration process was empowered by cutting-edge technology, enhancing the visual experience for viewers. Looking ahead, Schaeffer and Goldberg express their hope to extend similar restoration treatments to other Disney classics like Fantasia, Sleeping Beauty, and Alice in Wonderland.

As they consider the broader Disney library, the restoration team recognizes the potential to preserve the true essence of these timeless films while leveraging evolving technologies. Much like the cyclical repainting of the Golden Gate Bridge, the intention is to revisit and revitalize these classics for generations to come.

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