WHV Press Release: Casablanca Ultimate Collector's Edition (DVD/Blu-ray)

“Yes, indeed, the Warners here have a picture which makes the spine tingle and the heart take a leap… the result is a highly entertaining and even inspiring film.”
- The New York Times, Bosley Crowther

CASABLANCA
ULTIMATE COLLECTOR’S EDITION
For the Ultimate Holiday Gift
On Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD
December 2 from Warner Home Video

Burbank, Calif., August 18, 2008 – The legendary Casablanca -- which critic Leonard Maltin calls “the best Hollywood movie of all time,” starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman and winner of three Academy Awards® including Best Picture -- returns in a stunning new Ultimate Collector’s Edition (UCE) on December 2 from Warner Home Video, just in time for the holidays. Casablanca Ultimate Collector’s Edition will also be available in Blu-ray™ Hi-Def for the first time ever.

Casablanca has remained a beloved favorite for almost seven decades, and was voted the screen’s greatest love story and the #3 film of all time by the American Film Institute (AFI). This classic wartime romance also took Oscars® for Michael Curtiz (Directing); Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein and Howard Koch (Writing - Screenplay) and the studio (Outstanding Motion Picture).

The luxurious Casablanca Ultimate Collector’s Edition looks like another beginning of a beautiful friendship. The premium giftset is elegantly boxed in an intricate laser-cut Moroccan design and will include such collectibles as replicas of actual props (Victor Laszlo’s “Letter of Transit”) as well as a number of Warner studio documents (an executive’s letter commanding a new PR image for Bogart from gangster to romantic lead; a note from producer Hal Wallis re-titling the film to Casablanca; and a memo from Wallis to Jack Warner strongly urging casting Bogart over George Raft). The DVD set will also contain a branded passport holder, luggage tag, photo book and a mail-in offer for a reproduction of the original movie poster. Additionally, with more than seven hours of bonus features (see below) along with a documentary on Jack Warner, no matter how often one has seen the unforgettable classic, there’s sure to be something to enrich the experience.

Casablanca Ultimate Collector’s Edition will retail on DVD for $59.98 SRP, the Casablanca Ultimate Collector’s Edition Blu-ray™ Hi-Def for $64.99 SRP. The previously released Two-Disc Special Edition will also be available with new packaging and will sell for $26.99 SRP.

About the Film
Casablanca: easy to enter, but much harder to leave, especially if you're wanted by the Nazis. Such a man is Resistance leader Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid), whose only hope is Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), a cynical American who sticks his neck out for no one - especially Victor's wife Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman), the ex-lover who broke his heart. Ilsa offers herself in exchange for Laszlo's transport out of the country and bitter Rick must decide what counts more - personal happiness or countless lives hanging in the balance.

Blu-ray™ Hi-Def Enhanced Content (in standard definition)

Disc 1
Behind the Story
Introduction by Lauren Bacall
Commentary by film critic Roger Ebert
Commentary by film historian/author Rudy Behlmer
1988 TCM special: Bacall on Bogart [Laurel Bacall’s candid and moving reminiscences about her husband’s life and career]
You Must Remember This: A Tribute to Casablanca [Bacall hosts this spellbinding backstage tour]
As Time Goes By: The Children Remember [Stephen Bogart and Pia Lindstrom remember their parents, Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman]
Production history gallery
Additional Footage
Deleted scenes
Outtakes
Who Holds Tomorrow? Premiere episode from the 1955 Warner Bros. Presents series, starring Charles McGraw
1995 WB Cartoon: Carrotblanca

Audio
Scoring Stage Sessions
Knock on Wood Alternate Version, Wilson with Piano
As Time Goes By Part One Alternate Take, Wilson with Piano
As Time Goes By Part One Film Version, Wilson with Piano
Rick Sees Ilsa Instrumental Medley
As Time Goes By Part Two Alternate Take, Wilson with Piano
As Time Goes By Part Two Film Version, Wilson with Piano
At La Belle Aurore Instrumental Medley
Dat’s What Noah Done Outtake, Wilson with Piano
April 26,1943 Screen Guild Players Radio Broadcast
Trailers
Theatrical trailer
1992 re-release trailer

Disc 2
1993 documentary: Jack L. Warner: The Last Mogul

CASABLANCA ULTIMATE COLLECTOR’S EDITION
Catalog # 1000039793
$59.98 SRP


CASABLANCA BLU-RAY™ HI-DEF ULTIMATE COLLECTOR’S EDITION
$64.99 SRP

Subtitles: English, Français
Run Time: 102 minutes (Feature only)

CASABLANCA TWO-DISC SPECIAL EDITION
$26.99 SRP

Note: All enhanced content listed above is subject to change.

Re: WHV Press Release: Casablanca Ultimate Collector's Edition (DVD/Blu-ray)

Re: WHV Press Release: Casablanca Ultimate Collector's Edition (DVD/Blu-ray)

Is it reasonable to assume that the picture quality on the Blu-ray disc will be every bit as good as on the HD-DVD that Robert Harris admired so much?

Re: WHV Press Release: Casablanca Ultimate Collector's Edition (DVD/Blu-ray)

Is it me, or is $65 too much to spend on one movie on Blu-Ray? I expected a normal $20-$30 price, like with the HD-DVD. The elaborate packaging and such means nothing to me, and it doesn't seem a "movie-only" version is going to to be released on Blu-Ray. When titles like BLADE RUNNER come to DVD with 5 discs and cost $30, it becomes apparent when other titles are released with retail prices set too high.

This one is a pass for me. If there was a $29.99 or $34.99 2-disc Blu-Ray version without all the swag, I'd go for it.

Re: WHV Press Release: Casablanca Ultimate Collector's Edition (DVD/Blu-ray)

No one is going to pay the MSRP.

Re: WHV Press Release: Casablanca Ultimate Collector's Edition (DVD/Blu-ray)

...but it would be worth it since the movie is "Casablanca". Do not tell the folks at Warner marketing though.

Regards,

Re: WHV Press Release: Casablanca Ultimate Collector's Edition (DVD/Blu-ray)

If you use the August 25% off code from Warner Home Video, you can order the BR release from their website for $37.43

Re: WHV Press Release: Casablanca Ultimate Collector's Edition (DVD/Blu-ray)

Where can I get the code? Thanks.

Re: WHV Press Release: Casablanca Ultimate Collector's Edition (DVD/Blu-ray)

Even saving 25% and getting the disc for $37 is FAR more than I payed for the HD-DVD (when I had it). Sure, there is a bonus documentary, but I don't think I'm alone in thinking this is overpriced in comparison to similar titles. Just my opinion - and I have space concerns and these large boxes take up too much shelf real estate space.

Re: WHV Press Release: Casablanca Ultimate Collector's Edition (DVD/Blu-ray)

Since there are no BR titles that come only in a box with prop replicas, there isn't anything to compare it to though. If you want the box and the stuff that comes in it, it's not a bad deal at around $40. I just want the discs so I'm waiting until they release the movie without the box, etc.

Re: WHV Press Release: Casablanca Ultimate Collector's Edition (DVD/Blu-ray)

.
Code is AUBM8

Good until the end of August

I am surprised Warner is not giving a choice between the gift package and a standard package like they did last year with Forbidden Planet. Hope this is not a trend when the Wizard of Oz and Gone With The Wind come out in Blu-ray in 2009.

Re: WHV Press Release: Casablanca Ultimate Collector's Edition (DVD/Blu-ray)

Pricey, but at least it's worth it. The price would be somewhat "normal premium" level if you took out what the poster, passport cover, and luggage tag would cost separately. They do need to release a regular version, but I'll bite on the UCD BluRay regardless.

Re: WHV Press Release: Casablanca Ultimate Collector's Edition (DVD/Blu-ray)

doesn't look like enough to interest me. the only thing moderately interesting is the '93 documentary but I'll just stick w/ the 2 disc collector's edition I already have.

Re: WHV Press Release: Casablanca Ultimate Collector's Edition (DVD/Blu-ray)

I bought it from WHV for $34.97 because I'm a sucker for these type of releases.

Re: WHV Press Release: Casablanca Ultimate Collector's Edition (DVD/Blu-ray)

As its Warner, its pretty reasonable to assume it will be identical.

Re: WHV Press Release: Casablanca Ultimate Collector's Edition (DVD/Blu-ray)

They're not even prop replicas though - a passport holder and a luggage tag with "Casablanca" written on are nothing more than useless tchotchkes are far as I'm concerned. Collectors are not actually going to USE these items - they'll just sit in the box.

FWIW I didn't understand who the hell would want a Tony Montana "Scarface" money clip either!

Re: WHV Press Release: Casablanca Ultimate Collector's Edition (DVD/Blu-ray)

Thank you.

I think I'll buy the Blu-ray disc. I've already got the excellent SD package but Casablanca is a very special movie and Robert Harris's comments about the HD quality really made me enthusiastic.

Re: WHV Press Release: Casablanca Ultimate Collector's Edition (DVD/Blu-ray)

There was some controversy when I used the word 'junk' to describe them in the HD thread so I thought 'prop replica' was nicer.

Re: WHV Press Release: Casablanca Ultimate Collector's Edition (DVD/Blu-ray)

LOL!

Re: WHV Press Release: Casablanca Ultimate Collector's Edition (DVD/Blu-ray)

Warner will release a Blu-ray "2 Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition" and a single Blu-ray disc of "Casablanca" here in Germany one month prior to the US disc on 11/07/2008.

Re: WHV Press Release: Casablanca Ultimate Collector's Edition (DVD/Blu-ray)

Except for the third disc, what are the content differences between the 2 disc set already out there and this new set? Oh, and sorry for being a Philistine, but I'm not into BR yet?

PatH