On October 18 Warner Home Video (WHV) debuts Batman: The Motion Picture Anthology 1989-1997, brand new two-disc Special Editions of the first four Batman movies, and makes them available both individually and as a special edition gift set. The new Two-Disc Special Edition DVDs of Batman, Batman Returns, Batman Forever and Batman & Robin feature all-new digital transfers and more than 18 hours of never-seen bonus features, including director commentaries by Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher, cast and crew interviews, new documentaries, making-of featurettes and nine music videos from Prince, Seal, and the Smashing Pumpkins. Batman: The Motion Picture Anthology 1989-1997 will sell for $79.92 SRP, with individual titles priced at $26.99 SRP.
“Ever since Warner Home Video pioneered the 2-Disc DVD Special Edition, we’ve been flooded with requests from consumers (of all ages) and retailers for the four blockbuster Batman features to get that deluxe treatment,” said George Feltenstein, WHV’s Senior Vice President Classic Catalog. “To do this, we had to make certain we could gather the impressive talents from these films to help us create spectacular presentations for their enormous fan base. I feel certain what we’ve prepared will be one of the big DVD events of the 4th quarter.”
The four Warner Bros. Batman films have grossed more than $1 billion worldwide, making Batman one of the top five most successful franchises in motion picture history. To date, combined DVD & VHS sales total nearly $650 million with more than 50 million DVD & VHS units sold. This new collection of Two-Disc Special Edition DVDs is sure to appeal to the legions of Batman fans and collectors alike.
About the Batman Films
In 1989, director Tim Burton (“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “Big Fish”) breathed new life into one of the most complex and intriguing characters in popular culture. With his modern vision of Batman, 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 Phantom of the Opera,” “Phone Booth”) who injected the franchise with his unique style and included even more star power and action. Schumacher’s Batman 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.
DVD Details
Batman (1989)
Tim Burton’s direction and Michael Keaton’s performance combine perfectly in this first film to capture the sinister atmosphere of Gotham City and the brooding nature of Batman. Jack Nicholson almost steals the movie as the maniacal 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 1989 Oscar® for Best Art Direction/Set Decoration.
DVD Special Features Include:
-The Road to Gotham City
-The Gathering Storm
-The Legend Reborn
-Visualizing Gotham: The Production Design of Batman
-Building the Batmobile
-Those Wonderful Toys: The Props and Gadgets of Batman
-Designing the Batsuit
-From Jack to the Joker
-Nocturnal Overtures: The Music of Batman
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 as The Penguin and Michelle Pfeiffer is the new face of Catwoman in this second installment of Warner Bros.’ Batman series directed by Tim Burton.
DVD Special Features Include:
-Part 4: The Dark Side of the Knight
-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
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.
DVD Special Features Include:
-Part 5: Reinventing a Hero
-Out of the Shadows: The Production Design of Batman Forever
-The Many Faces of Gotham City
-Knight Moves: The Stunts of Batman Forever
-Imaging Forever: The Visual Effects of Batman Forever
-Scoring Forever: The Music of Batman Forever
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 and Mr. 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).
DVD Special Features Include:
-Part 6: Batman Unbound
-Bigger, Bolder, Brighter: The Production Design of Batman & Robin
-Maximum Overdrive: The Vehicles of Batman & Robin
-Dressed to Thrill: The Costumes of Batman & Robin
-Frozen Freaks and Femme Fatales: The Makeup of Batman & Robin
-Freeze Frame: The Visual Effects of Batman & Robin
-The End is the Beginning is the End by the Smashing Pumpkins
-Foolish Games by Jewel
-Gotham City by R. Kelly
-Look into My Eyes by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
Source: Warner Home Video
