**Review of Mary Poppins 45th Anniversary Edition (DVD)**
**Overview**
*Mary Poppins* (1964) remains one of Walt Disneys most beloved classics a timeless blend of live-action, animation, music, and magic. Starring Julie Andrews in her Oscar-winning role alongside Dick Van Dyke, the film continues to charm audiences with its imagination, heart, and unforgettable songs. The 45th Anniversary Edition DVD celebrates this enduring masterpiece with a beautifully restored presentation and a rich collection of extras that pay tribute to its cinematic legacy.
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### **Film Summary**
Set in Edwardian London, *Mary Poppins* tells the story of the Banks family, whose lives change forever when the practically perfect nanny Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews) arrives on their doorstep. Using a mix of discipline, magic, and song, she helps bring warmth and joy back into the household while teaching important lessons about family and love.
Julie Andrews delivers a radiant, witty, and unforgettable performance, while Dick Van Dykes cheerful energy and musical prowess as Bert add humor and heart. Together, they lead a cast of memorable characters through whimsical adventures from jumping into chalk paintings to dancing with chimney sweeps. The Sherman Brothers iconic soundtrack, featuring songs like *A Spoonful of Sugar* and *Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious*, remains one of the most beloved in film history.
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### **Picture & Sound Quality**
The 45th Anniversary Edition DVD offers an impressive digital restoration. Colors are vibrant and rich, giving new life to the films combination of live-action and animated sequences. The image is sharp for a standard-definition release, with a noticeable improvement in clarity and contrast compared to earlier DVD editions.
The Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track enhances the experience, providing clear dialogue, strong musical balance, and crisp orchestral sound. The remastered soundtrack ensures that every lyric and instrument shines through beautifully.
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### **Special Features**
This anniversary edition stands out for its extensive and lovingly produced extras, which provide both entertainment and insight into Disneys filmmaking magic:
* **The Magic of Mary Poppins Featurette:** A retrospective documentary exploring the films creation, featuring interviews with cast members, historians, and the Sherman Brothers.
* **Audio Commentary:** Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, and Richard Sherman offer reflections on the production, sharing memories and behind-the-scenes anecdotes.
* **Deleted Song: Chimpanzoo:** A restored musical number that was cut from the final film, presented with historical context.
* **Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious: The Making of Mary Poppins** A feature-length making-of documentary originally produced for earlier releases, included here in full.
* **Animated Short: The Cat That Looked at a King** A delightful short film inspired by P.L. Travers stories, featuring Julie Andrews returning as Mary Poppins.
* **Music & Song Selection:** Allows viewers to jump directly to musical moments from the film.
* **Galleries & Trailers:** Concept art, production photos, and original promotional material.
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### **Final Verdict**
The *Mary Poppins
