Video:
Presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen, Once Upon a Mattress, is absolutely, positively stunning. The colors are crisp and bright, and the sets and costumes are nothing short of amazing. The entire effect is almost surreal, especially since many Disney releases are animated, and perhaps live-action films are not subject to as much scrutiny in terms of picture quality as their animated counterparts. At times this production almost feels like an elaborate cartoon, thanks to the superior quality of the picture.

Sound:
Once Upon a Mattress features Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, which sounds terrific, especially during the many musical numbers. Coupled with the excellent picture quality, the sound makes for a truly comprehensive, enjoyable experience.

Extras:
Disney DVD releases have become synonymous with quality special features, but don't expect as many as are included on Disney's animated special edition releases like Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty.

The most significant special feature on this disc is the 7-minute "Making Of" featurette, which gives great background about the history of the stage production and its evolution into a telepic. The major cast members all appear to give the requisite interviews about how much they loved working with one another (honestly, it would be so much fun to have interviews where cast members roll their eyes and talk about what really goes on behind the scenes!). The one disappointment about this featurette is that it is not so much a "Making Of" as a retrospective. I would have loved to have heard more than just brief mentions of the costuming and set design, as they truly are an integral part of the entire experience. The other two special features, "Between Takes" and the rehearsal-to-film comparison do little to add to the overall experience and come off as mere filler to round out the disc, much like an extra track on a CD.

Final Thoughts:
This film is a must-own for your family's DVD collection, as rare is the film these days that can be truly enjoyed by all members of the family, although keep in mind that very young children may have difficulty being engaged by the plot. Once Upon a Mattress is sure to garner requests for repeated viewings. Make it the next addition to your DVD wish list.