The Thief and the Cobbler - DVD Release - Completed Version - Uncut - Unedited
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Fans of animation.
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The purpose of this petition is to help influence those in power to release a completed version, abiding by Richard Williams' (animation director of "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?") dream for the film, of "The Thief and the Cobbler". You may know of this film by the name "Arabian Knight" which was distributed in United States theaters in 1995 by Miramax. In 1968, Richard Williams began work on The Thief and the Cobbler, financing all the work on the film himself. The film to this day actually holds the world record for the longest production schedule of any film ever released, 28 years. In the early 1990's, Warner Bros. stepped in to help finance the film and help Williams complete his vision. But, due to Williams' long production schedules, he was fired from his own project. The film was handed over to a Korean animation company to finish the fifteen minutes that remained to be animated. Disney stepped in and bought the rights for the film (which would eventually be distributed by Miramax) and compiled a very sloppy, edited version of the film (with the inclusion of three song sequences and inclusion of dialogue spoken by the two main characters who remained speechless in the original film). The film received poor reviews and had poor reception at the box office. The film was panned off as an "Aladdin" rip-off, even though all the characters in Disney's "Aladdin" are pretty much exact look-alikes of the characters in "The Thief and the Cobbler".
What we are asking is for the current owners of this film, Disney, to either sell the rights to another company who will help Williams finish what he intended for the film, or you personally finance to help get a completed version of this film out there. We ask that the song sequences be removed and the dialogue by the main two characters be removed. We ask for the removed footage (the suffering King, the throne sequence, the Witch, the Thief getting caught stealing and being sentenced to have his hands cut off, and any other unfinished work print footage) to be put back in the film and completed.
Richard Williams' "The Thief and the Cobbler" is a mastermind vision of animation. It is regretful that because of those who have the most influence in the industry that the original concept of this film has not seen the light of day other than in a bootlegged work print version.
By signing this petition, you are agreeing that you are a supporter of Richard Williams and his vision, and that you will purchase the film on DVD if it is ever released in its completed format.
What we are asking is for the current owners of this film, Disney, to either sell the rights to another company who will help Williams finish what he intended for the film, or you personally finance to help get a completed version of this film out there. We ask that the song sequences be removed and the dialogue by the main two characters be removed. We ask for the removed footage (the suffering King, the throne sequence, the Witch, the Thief getting caught stealing and being sentenced to have his hands cut off, and any other unfinished work print footage) to be put back in the film and completed.
Richard Williams' "The Thief and the Cobbler" is a mastermind vision of animation. It is regretful that because of those who have the most influence in the industry that the original concept of this film has not seen the light of day other than in a bootlegged work print version.
By signing this petition, you are agreeing that you are a supporter of Richard Williams and his vision, and that you will purchase the film on DVD if it is ever released in its completed format.
840 Signatures
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ruby w
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Ronnie A
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Kaiet Estrada G
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Josй Manuel Romero M
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Raul Martinez G
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- I'm very interested to watch in DVD the Richard Williams version. Without manipulations, please.
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Daniel V
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Keith G
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Jose Manuel Diaz R
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Mandy I
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- I watched the real, original version when the main characters stayed silent and there were no sappy song sequences when I was six years old and I've always loved it! Until now, I truly regret that I'd lost my only CD copy of it. Please bring back the 'uncensored', un-Disney-edited version!
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juan jose z
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ernst stavros b
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Antonio M
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- Great movie, and I second everything which has been said here and on other websites regarding this subject (e.g. amazon.com reviews)
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Corey M
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- This show must go on, I truly hate the Abrabian Knight version as a kid. After being exposed to the original workprint of Dick's version it has moved me in an omni-directional way animation-wise. I will pay a fortune to see the completed version of The Thief and The Cobbler. Heck, it be nice to see it in theaters if possibly. God hope the project sees the day of light.
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Johan T
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Michael
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- I am incredibly anxious to see this. After reading poor reviews, I would not like to waste my time with the current DVD release
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Gaby
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Alexander P
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Kristi
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- I would love very much to see Richard Williams' masterpiece finished they way he intended
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Abby R
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Janice D
- Comments
- The Thief and the Cobbler is a stunning work of animation which left me speechless as a child. It's a travesty that it has been so ravaged in the past and I would buy a DVD version of the Thief and the Cobbler if sanctioned by its original creators.
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Aaron
- Comments
- This needs to be done
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Heather C
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- Please, release the work of art that was meant to be.
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Rob H
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Lisa C
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- I love this movie. such brilliant animation, it needs to be preservred and shared!
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James M
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- Let Richard Williams complete HIS work
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Simon
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- I've seen the Recobbled version and would like to see a proper transfer
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Al W
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- Come on! Do right by Richard Williams. You guys complain about piracy all the time and yet you do stuff like this. Unbelievable!
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Abbie M
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- OMG I love this movie...even if the one I watched wasn't complete. Hey, did anyone ever nothice that Tack went from whitey Mcgee to really tan just suddenly? wat's up with that?
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Abbie M
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- OMG I love this movie...even if the one I watched wasn't complete. Hey, did anyone ever nothice that Tack went from whitey Mcgee to really tan just suddenly? wat's up with that?
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scott
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thomas h
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Tom T
- Comments
- John Lasseter, please do something about this!
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Eric O
- Comments
- Please release this great piece of art
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Alejandro C
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- It'll be amazing to have this film released as it was intended by R. Williams.
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carlos m
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- This film has history behind it. Great Animation Work for the world to see. It has no use, but to be seen. For young animators to learn from
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Henry H
- Comments
- Artistic Vision over Corporate Greed any day!
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Roz N
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Heather B
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Leslie H
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Mark t
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Jennifer H
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Suzanne H
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Elizabeth D
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Sasha P
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Clea S
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piero m
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Joey S
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Kristina Van Bergen D
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Brandee Lee H
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Hank
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840
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