WHV Press Release: Natural Born Killers (Blu-ray)

Ronald Epstein · 04-14-2008, 11:09 AM

“Seeing this movie once is not enough. The first time is for the visceral experience, the second time is for the meaning.” Roger Ebert, Chicago Tribune

Natural Born Killers
Debuts on Blu-ray™ Hi Def June 10
Oliver Stone’s Cult Film includes Bonus 42-Page Book

Burbank, Calif., April 14, 2008 – Natural Born Killers, one of the most controversial motion pictures of the ‘90s -- will be released on Blu-ray™ Hi-Def by Warner Home Video June 10 with bonus 42-page book that includes never-before-available photos, plus director Oliver Stone’s all-new, thought-provoking essay on the film, made expressly for this release.

Starring Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis as husband/wife serial killers involved in a cross country killing spree, Natural Born Killers is a powerful, gut-grabbing look at how violence and crime are sensationalized and glamorized in the media. As Mickey and Mallory cut their swath of terror, they are regarded more like celebrities than fugitives. Oliver Stone is one of American cinema's most prolific innovators and the recipient of three Academy Awards®. Among his memorable films are Platoon, Wall Street, Born on the Fourth of July, JFK, The Doors, Nixon, Any Given Sunday, Alexander and his most recent, the moving drama World Trade Center.

Blu-ray™ Hi-Def Special Features
Commentary with Oliver Stone
Deleted Scenes
Alternate Ending
Charlie Rose interview with Oliver Stone
Theatrical Trailer
Exclusive packaging with 42-page book featuring rare photos and press materials plus Oliver Stone’s all-new thought-provoking essay on the film

NATURAL BORN KILLERS
BLU-RAY HI-DEF
Street Date: June 10
Pricing: $34.99 SRP
Feature Running Time: 118 minutes -- Rated: R

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

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Paul Arnette · 04-14-2008, 11:17 AM

One can only assume from the 118 minute running time that this is not the director's cut. What a shame.

EnricoE · 04-14-2008, 11:22 AM

i think warner no longer has the rights for d.c. of nbk and that's why we wont see it.

Michael Reuben · 04-14-2008, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Arnette

One can only assume from the 118 minute running time that this is not the director's cut.

Also from the "R" rating. In any case, I believe Warner relinquished the rights to the director's cut so that Stone could release it himself.

M.

Paul Arnette · 04-14-2008, 11:26 AM

Enrico, Michael,

Thanks for the additional information, I was not aware of that. I've actually never seen this film, believe it or not. It should make an interesting companion piece to Bonnie and Clyde.

JulianK · 04-14-2008, 12:58 PM

No DC, no sale!

Jari K · 04-14-2008, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulianK

No DC, no sale!

I probably have to agree..

Stephen_J_H · 04-14-2008, 03:24 PM

Warner never did have the rights to the DC of NBK. NBK was produced by Regency Pictures (owned by Arnon Milchan) and distributed by WB to theatres and on video. When Oliver Stone expressed a desire to release a DC, Warner wanted no part of it and left Regency free to shop around the DC to other distributors. It was eventually released by Vidmark (later Trimark) on video and DVD and most recently was released by Lionsgate on DVD. Whether or not the DC shows up on BD is entirely in the hands of of Regency and Lionsgate (so long as Lionsgate's licence has not expired).

Michael Reuben · 04-14-2008, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen_J_H

Warner never did have the rights to the DC of NBK. NBK was produced by Regency Pictures (owned by Arnon Milchan) and distributed by WB to theatres and on video. When Oliver Stone expressed a desire to release a DC, Warner wanted no part of it and left Regency free to shop around the DC to other distributors.

It's more complicated than that, but it's been so long that I'd have to spend a fair amount of time with the LD box set to recall all the detail. I do recall that Warner was prepared, at one point, to release the DC (this was pre-DVD), but pulled back when the film became too much of a hot potato. Stone refers to this in either the commentary or one of the supplements on the LD (not all of which were ported over to the Trimark DVD).

M.

Jeff Adkins · 04-14-2008, 04:21 PM

My recollection from reading the book "Killer Instinct" was that Warner backed down from releasing the DC of the film. Stone's contract required that it be released on video if an "R" couldn't be achieved for the theatrical release. Therefore Warner agreed to license it to Vidmark in the U.S for home video. I don't know how long this license was for.

I'm pretty sure Warner still owns the rights, it's just a matter of how long the license is with Trimark. Warner has released the uncut version on DVD in other regions under the "Warner Home Video" label, so maybe it'll be released overseas.

If I have anything incorrect here, feel free to correct me. It's been many years since I read the book.

Jeff Adkins · 04-14-2008, 04:34 PM

Looks like I was wrong. Warner didn't release the DC overseas on DVD. I thought for sure the UK and Dutch editions were put out by Warner, but that is incorrect.

Surely, someone will put it out overseas if Lions Gate doesn't get around to it. The DC DVD is currently OOP, so I wonder if the license is still in effect?