Why Are Wallace & Gromit Re-Releases So Interesting?

I love Wallace & Gromit so much that I own multiple VHS and DVD re-releases of all their short films. In this video, I talk about all the different collections I own and what makes them stand out.

VHS footage courtesy of the Internet Archive
Original shorts uploaded by heathinvader
Incredible Adventures VHS uploaded by DiddyKnuckey

Three Amazing Adventures (Fox) menu footage courtesy of TheTrainDriver97

0:00 - Intro
2:10 - Wallace & Gromit VHS box set
4:04 - The Incredible Adventures of Wallace & Gromit
7:50 - Wallace & Gromit in Three Amazing Adventures (DreamWorks)
10:09 - Wallace & Gromit in Three Amazing Adventures (20th Century Fox)
12:27 - Wallace & Gromit: The Complete Collection
15:37 - Outro

#Wallace&Gromit #MarcLovallo #Aardman

[stilljamming]

The reason for the difference is the first releases used versions of the shorts sped up to the NTSC speed, while the slower versions are what they were supposed to look / sound like, when originally released in the UK, Europe and Australia (just changing up the frame count and altering how the image is drawn on screen).

[alwayssleepy]

10:20 this opened up a core memory, that was the dvd that I remember renting at my local video store for Wallace and Gromit shorts. I use to watch the behind the scenes on repeat and it was so fascinating to watch.

I’m really happy that I got to experience the original three shorts with that dvd collection as a kid since it felt like they put so much effort into adding special features from the previous release and how creative the menus are with the newspaper design.

Not sure the newer blu ray collection has that same quality as that dvd but I’ve been in a Aaradman mood since dawn of the nugget came out, I might check it out.

[BJWanlund]

I’m so happy to see another American Wallace & Gromit fan!! I swear I thought I was the only one who knew about this duo. My favorite one is tied between Close Shave and Wrong Trousers and I think it would depend upon the day and how I was feeling as far as which one I would choose, if I was forced to choose just one. Fascinating stuff! Happy birthday! (And you share a general birthday time with me as well!)

[MediaNutso]

I own the Blu-ray of the complete collection, and I can tell you right now, they're all on one disc, and thankfully, they play in the correct order.
Update: I found out the shorts had a laserdisc release in 1997, and that was the first time they were presented in the proper NTSC format.

[RetroSanrioCentre]

Fun fact: The TV station over here in the UK called "Gold" show the Wallace and Gromit films every year and until recent years, still aired the original print of "The Wrong Trousers" with all the original music in tact! In fact, watching the christmas broadcast in 2018 was the first time I had ever heard the original version.

[laurena]

As a Canadian who grew up with these shorts while attending daycare with a lovely Scottish lady who immersed me in Wallace and Gromit, I totally understand the attachment to them. Those VHS releases hold a special place in my heart. <3 And maybe they led with The Wrong Trousers in their first DVD release because it was actually the first of the Wallace and Gromit shorts to actually win the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 1994? (Close Shave winning in 1995). I remember especially the scene of Gromit laying down the train tracks rapid-fire to escape from Feather McGraw being particularly impressive for the time, especially for where stop-motion was at. It might have been the most critically praised up to that point.

[billycallanan]

For me, Wallace and Gromit are an absolute Christmas staple, every time around Christmas watching the telly and BBC broadcasting the short films and curse of the ware-rabbit as well. They always show Creature comforts as well which I absolutely love.

[Pufstnutbrainofficial]

I’ve always had a fascination for differences between two versions! I really loved the video!

[RetroGaming-gpef]

As a Canadian I grew up with these 3 shorts, the VHS versions I’ve watched for 20 years.

[NebLleb]

I've always had a fondness for old animation (1930s - 2000s/early 2010s), and Wallace and Gromit (specifically the fourth entry, Curse of the Were-Rabbit) laid the seeds for me getting that fondness. Back then, the films were hilarious with a signature artstyle, but I remember spending as much time watching the BTS special features on the DVDs as I did watching these shorts and learning the process behind making them. Now that I'm an adult and want to buy the Blu-Ray featuring all the films (barring my personal favourite Were-Rabbit due to length and licensing), I have an even greater fondness for old animation as it took a lot of work to make animated projects like the short Wallace and Gromit films. Films like Akira and The Nightmare Before Christmas made me an old animation fan, but Wallace and Gromit (and Shaun) set me on the path to that point.

PS. YES, The Shaun the Sheep duology counts as Wallace and Gromit films due to starring a character from one of the shorts.

[selder_]

God the nostalgia at seeing those different VHS boxes, similar to with the Trumpton trilogy ones

[edenanimates]

The new film is coming out so good timing

[GeneralHewett]

Finally a video discussing this subject

[CelebWrestling]

I have so many dvd releases of wallace and gromit as I’m from the UK I got loads of releases for like birthday and Christmas, even if it was the same releases I still was happy to own them

[RetroSanrioCentre]

I actually have an original BBC broadcast of the Christmas Cardomatic episode of cracking contraptions. Found it on a tape from christmas 2002.

[tylerfish]

I grew up with the Dreamworks release which doesn't work anymore, but I'm getting a new one tomorrow.

[lukedrotos]

The reason The Wrong Trousers was ordered first in the VHS set and the Incredible Adventures VHS is because The Wrong Trousers was the first short to be released in the states on video.

[adamkaunfer]

Shout! Studios recently re-released the four shorts on DVD and Blu-ray. The DVD is Walmart-exclusive. All are on one disc. No bonus features other than Cracking Contraptions though.

[nicks]

Fact: the version of the wrong trousers that I’ve had since 1997 has the “for he’s a jolly good fellow” edit…. Theres some cross-over editing that started happing some times before they rereleased it all on the “the incredible adventures of”

[rebeccah]

fascinating stuff!
edit: i think wrong trousers will forever be my favourite short. the comedy is just perfect and has aged like a fine wine