Burbank, Calif. February 24, 2009 – BATMAN is back sharper than ever on March 10 when Warner Home Video releases BATMAN: The Motion Picture Anthology 1989-1997 in Blu-ray™ Hi-Def. The first four Warner Bros. Batman films, which grossed more than $1 billion worldwide, started the film franchise 20 years ago on its road to becoming a global phenomenon and ultimately one of the top ten most successful film franchises in motion picture history.
BATMAN: The Motion Picture Anthology 1989-1997 features more than 18 hours of bonus content including documentaries from directors Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher, deleted scenes and music videos. In addition there will be a digital copy of Batman: The Movie which allows consumers a single non-transferable download of the full-length film to their iPod or PC.
Available as a collection only, BATMAN: The Motion Picture Anthology 1989-1997 Blu-ray™ Hi-Def will sell for $129.95 SRP. BATMAN: The Motion Picture Anthology 1989-1997 is currently available in DVD for $79.92 SRP.
About the BATMAN Films
In 1989, director Tim Burton (Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street) introduced a new cinematic version of one of the most complex and intriguing characters in popular culture. With his modern film vision ofBATMAN, Burton cast off the 1960s camp depiction of the DARK KNIGHT and launched one of the most successful comic book film series ever. Starring Michael Keaton as Batman and Academy Award®-winner Jack Nicholson as THE JOKER, BATMAN was the top grossing movie of 1989 with a box-office total of more than $250 million. Burton and Keaton returned for the second installment, BATMAN RETURNS, joined by co-stars Michelle Pfeiffer as CATWOMAN and Danny DeVito as THE PENGUIN.
In 1995, Burton passed the reins to Joel Schumacher (The Number 23,The Phantom of the Opera) who injected the franchise with his unique style and included even more star power and action. Schumacher’sBATMAN FOREVER and BATMAN & ROBIN features Val Kilmer and George Clooney, respectively, as the CAPED CRUSADER and included all-star casts with Jim Carrey, Nicole Kidman, Drew Barrymore, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tommy Lee Jones and Uma Thurman.
BATMAN (1989)
Tim Burton’s direction and Michael Keaton’s performance combine perfectly in this first film to capture the sinister atmosphere of GOTHAMCITY and the brooding nature of Batman. Jack Nicholson almost steals the movie as the maniacal villain, THE JOKER and Kim Basinger is VICKI VALE, the beautiful and resourceful photojournalist desired by both men. Featuring songs by Prince and a score by Danny Elfman, BATMAN won the 1990 Oscar® for Best Art Direction/Set Decoration.
Special Features:
- Behind the Story
o Commentary by director Tim Burton
o On the set with Bob Kane
o Legends of the DARK KNIGHT: The History of BATMAN – The BATMAN Comic Book Saga as reinvented and reinterpreted over nearly seven decades
o Shadows of the Bat: The Cinematic Saga of the DARK KNIGHT Parts 1-3:
§ The Road to GOTHAM
§ The Gathering Storm
§ The Legend Reborn
o Beyond BATMAN (Documentary Gallery):
§ Visualizing GOTHAM: The production design of BATMAN
§ Building the BATMOBILE
§ Those Wonderful Toys: The Props and Gadgets of BATMAN
§ Designing the BAT-SUIT
§ From Jack to THE JOKER
§ Nocturnal Overtures: The Music of BATMAN
- Music Videos – Three Music Videos by Prince
o Batdance
o Partyman
o Scandalous
- Extras
o BATMAN: The Heroes (Profile Galleries)
§ BATMAN
§ VICKI VALE
§ ALEXANDER KNOX
§ COMMISSIONER GORDON
§ HARVEY DENT
o Batman: The Villains (Profile Galleries)
§ THE JOKER
§ BOB THE GOON
· BATMAN: The Complete ROBIN Storyboard Sequence
· Trailer
o Theatrical trailer
BATMAN RETURNS (1992)
Having defeated THE JOKER, BATMAN now faces THE PENGUIN – a warped and deformed individual intent on being accepted into Gotham society. The plot is further complicated by Selina Kyle, a wronged secretary who transforms into the slinky, mysterious CATWOMAN. Michael Keaton reprises his role as BATMAN; Danny DeVito stars asTHE PENGUIN and Michelle Pfeiffer is the new face of CATWOMAN in this second installment of the series, directed by Tim Burton.
Special Features:
· Behind the Story
o Commentary by Tim Burton – Sit with director Tim Burton and explore this dark sequel
o THE BAT, THE CAT and THE PENGUIN – Cast and crew recall the making of this equally spectacular sequel
o Shadows of the Bat Pt. 4: Dark Side of the Knight – Hear from the cast and crew to learn how this sequel came to be
o BATMAN: The Heroes
§ BATMAN
§ ALFRED
o BATMAN: The Villains
§ THE PENGUIN
§ CATWOMAN
§ MAX SHRECK
o Beyond BATMAN
§ GOTHAM CITY Revisited: The Production Design of BATMAN Returns
§ Sleek, Sexy and Sinister: The Costumes of BATMAN Returns
§ Making-up THE PENGUIN
§ Assembling the Arctic Army
§ Bats, Mattes and Dark Nights: The Visual Effects of BATMAN
§ Inside the Elfman Studio: The Music of BATMAN Returns
o Music Videos
§ Face to Face Music Video by Souixsie and the Banshees
o Trailers
§ Theatrical trailer
BATMAN FOREVER (1995)
The Dark Knight of Gotham City returns to confront two more villains –TWO-FACE and THE RIDDLER in BATMAN FOREVER directed by Joel Schumacher and co-produced by Tim Burton. Trusty superhero sidekick, ROBIN, also makes his first appearance in this film. Val Kilmer (BATMAN), Tommy Lee Jones (TWO-FACE), Jim Carrey (THE RIDDLER), Nicole Kidman (DR. CHASE MERIDIAN) and Chris O’Donnell (ROBIN) star.
Special Features:
- Behind the Story
o Commentary by director Joel Schumacher
o RIDDLER ME THIS: Why is BATMAN Forever? – How a new director and cast created a new vision of Gotham’s classic good and bad guys
o Shadows of the Bat: The Cinematic Saga of the DARK KNIGHT Part 5: Reinventing a Hero – The BATMAN Franchise is reenergized with a new look and new characters , bringing fun to the set and success at the box office
o Beyond BATMAN (Documentary Gallery)
§ Out of the Shadows: The production design of Batman Forever – Barbara Ling explains how each location in famed Gotham City was modernized and customized to each character
o The Many faces of GOTHAM CITY – See how the costumes and make-up of Batman Forever contributes to the new and edgy look.
o Knight Moves: The Stunts of Batman Forever – Go behind the scenes with stuntman Keith Campbell, as he demonstrates how some of the most difficult stunts are set-up and executed
o Imaging Forever: The Visual Effects of Batman Forever – A look back at the special effects of the movie, at the beginning of the Digital Age of movie-making
o Scoring Forever: The Music of Batman Forever – Sit in on a scoring session of Batman Forever and listen to composer Elliot Goldenthal as he discusses the sound chosen for the movie.
· Additional Footage
o Escape from ARKHAM ASYLUM
o TWO-FACE’s hate
o Beauty and the BATMAN
o Dick’s pain
o Bruce’s dilemma
o The secret of the BATCAVE
o Does it ever end?
· Music Video
o Kiss from a Rose Music Video by Seal
- Extras
o Batman: The Heroes – Brief character analyses of the characters of BATMAN heroes by the filmmakers, cast and fans
§ BATMAN
§ ROBIN
§ DR. CHASE MERIDIAN
o BATMAN: The Villains – Brief character analyses of the characters of BATMAN villains by the filmmakers, cast and fans
§ THE RIDDLER
§ TWO-FACE
· Trailer
o Theatrical trailer
BATMAN & ROBIN (1997)
George Clooney is BATMAN, facing his deadliest threats yet: the cold-hearted MR. FREEZE (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and venomous POISON IVY (Uma Thurman). This time, BATMAN also has to protect his crime fighting comrades ROBIN (Chris O’Donnell) and BATGIRL (Alicia Silverstone), whose youthful eagerness frequently puts them in harm’s way. Outstanding special effects include a wild sky-surfing sequence andMR. FREEZE’s outrageous arsenal of ice-blasting weapons. Joel Schumacher directs from a screenplay by Academy Award-winner Akiva Goldsman (Cinderella Man, A Beautiful Mind).
Special Features:
- Behind the Story
o Commentary by director Joel Schumacher
o Shadows of the Bat: The Cinematic Saga of the Dark Knight Part 6: BATMAN
Unbound – Cast and crew discuss the casting, controversies, and
fan anticipation and reaction to the fourth installment of theBATMAN
Franchise.
o Beyond BATMAN Documentary Gallery
§ Bigger, Bolder, Brighter: The production design ofBATMAN and ROBIN – Take a look behind the scenes of the biggest character environments
and the unique new inventions
§ Maximum Overdrive: The Vehicles of BATMAN and ROBIN – Highlights
on the redesign of the Batmobile, ROBIN’s motorcycle, and the Mr. Freeze machine
§ Dressed to Thrill: The Costumes of BATMAN and ROBIN – The design
and manufacturing of the hot and heavy, and certain anatomically correct
costumes is discussed by the costume crew
§ Frozen Freaks and Femme Fatales: The Makeup of BATMAN and ROBIN – Check out all of the details that go into the special effects make-up and
hair as the crew transforms the actors into their characters
§ Freeze Frame: The Visual Effects of BATMAN and ROBIN – With more
technology available than previously seen in BATMANmovies, filmmakers pushed the envelope in using visual effects
· Additional footage
o Deleted Scene: ALFRED’s Lost Love
· Music Videos
o The End is the Beginning is the End by the Smashing Pumpkins
o Look into My Eyes by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
o Gotham City by R. Kelly
o Foolish Games by Jewel
