Walt Disney was a true visionary. His story ideas helped shape a generation and entertained millions upon millions of people. Through his films and theme parks, he has captured the spirit of youth in not just children but in adults as well. His legacy continues to live on with his production company and the films he is responsible for. One of those legendary films is 1955’s Lady and the Tramp, a sweet tale (pun intended) about love and acceptance. It is now out on Blu-ray/DVD yet again, this time in Disney’s Diamond Series. The film is lovely and so is the packaging so if you want to revisit this classic film, then picking it up might not be such a bad idea.

Jim Dear and Darling are a well-to-do married couple who just received a new addition to the family, a Cocker Spaniel named Lady. The couple is thrilled to have Lady in their lives and seem happy for a while. Their love for Lady continues but is somewhat interrupted when Darling becomes pregnant. Lady then fears that the couple’s love for her will be diminished once the baby is born. Lady, feeling hurt and unwanted flees the home and encounters danger and romance when she meets Tramp, a stray mutt from the other side of the tracks. Together, Lady and Tramp form an unlikely relationship, trusting and learning about one another and the worlds they come from.

Like all the great classics in Walt Disney’s canon, Lady and the Tramp has something that all his films possess: heart. There is so much tenderness in the film that at times, it can be a little much. Kids will eat it up and some parents may too. The sweet factor is not a negative by any means. It is simply an integral part of this timeless classic.

The animation in Lady and the Tramp is remarkable. It is almost freaky how realistic the way the dogs move and behave. Walt Disney certainly knew what he was doing in terms of animating animals and people. Lady and the Tramp is further proof of that fact. The humans are also well-animated but they are more in the background than anything else. Other qualities of the film that stand out are the songs and score. Peggy Lee and Sonny Burke wrote the memorable tunes in the film such as “He’s a Tramp” and “La La Lu”. Composer Oliver Wallace provided the lush and beautiful score.

Lady and the Tramp above all else is a tale about acceptance. Tramp and Lady are from different worlds and through the course of the film, they learn that though their backgrounds are different, they are in fact pretty similar. This leads to their love and helps establish trust when faced with dark obstacles.

With scenes like the iconic romantic spaghetti kiss, it is no wonder Lady and the Tramp is the classic it is and how it has stood the test of time. This is like the fifth DVD/Blu-ray release and it is pretty clear why so many copies of the film have been and continue to be produced. It is as popular today as it was back in 1955. It is a timeless story and one which will continue to captivate audiences as well as capture their hearts. People with pets may identify very strongly with the film but I think anyone with love in their heart will appreciate the film for all it’s absolute beauty.

Blu-ray Bonus Features

The bonus features for Lady and the Tramp: Diamond Edition like all the other previous Disney Diamond Editions are nothing short of spectacular. There are never-before-seen deleted scenes, a never-before-heard deleted song, Inside Walt’s Story Meetings, Diane Disney Miller: Remembering Dad, Lady’s Pedigree: The Making of Lady and the Tramp, The Siamese Cat Song: Finding a Voice For the Cats and there is Puppypedia: Going to the Dogs.