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TCFHE Press Release: BATMAN: The Movie Special Edition (Blu-ray)

post #1 of 54
3/25/08 at 10:55am
Thread Starter 
HOLY HIGH DEFINITION BATMAN!

BATMAN: THE MOVIE
SPECIAL EDITION BLU-RAY DISC

The 1966 Caped-Crusading Classic Starring Adam West Dashes Onto Blu-Ray Disc July 1 From Fox Home Entertainment

Dynamic Disc Features New, Exclusive High Definition Extras, Plus A BD Industry First,
Nelson Riddle’s Cool Jazz Score Presented As An Isolated Music Track In Lossless Audio

Also Available, A Limited, Special Edition Blu-ray Disc Packaged With A Scale Batmobile

CENTURY CITY, Calif. – Citizens of Gotham City shall fear not when the heroic Caped Crusader and his crime-fighting chum, Boy Wonder, stop dastardly villains from de-hydrating the planet in the original full-length bat-film, BATMAN: THE MOVIE SPECIAL EDITION, arriving on high definition Blu-Ray Disc for the first time July 1st from Fox Home Entertainment. Starring Adam West (Batman) and Burt Ward (Robin), this 1966 spin-off of the popular “Batman” television series features all four of the hero’s most diabolical and cunning adversaries: the clown prince of crime, The Joker (Cesar Romero); the count of criminal conundrums, The Riddler (Frank Gorshin); the pompous waddling master of fowl play, The Penguin (Burgess Meredith); and the fiendish feline, The Catwoman (Lee Meriwether). Directed by Leslie H. Martinson (PT 109, Rescue from Gilligan’s Island), who later won a Golden Gryphon for his efforts, the colorful and over-the-top film featured a groovy and swank score by Academy Award® winner* Nelson Riddle.

Brimming with brand new and exclusive high definition bat-features, the Blu-ray Disc includes “Batman: A Dynamic Legacy,” a tribute to the caped crusader and look at Gotham’s evil villains in “Gotham City’s Most Wanted”; a 360 degree navigational tour of the Batmobile; and an isolated score in 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio (Lossless), an industry first for Blu-Ray Disc that allows viewers to listen to the score only. The Special Edition also includes interviews and commentary by actors West, Ward, and screenwriter Lorenzo Semple, Jr., featurettes, trivia track, galleries and trailers.

The BATMAN: THE MOVIE SPECIAL EDITION Blu-Ray Disc will be available for the suggested retail price of $39.98 U.S. / $49.98 Canada. Prebook is June 4th. Additionally, 5,000 lucky fans can take home a limited, special edition Blu-Ray packaged with a 1/18th scale Batmobile from Hot Wheels® for the suggested retail price of $59.98 U.S.

DVD Special Features:
The Batman: The Movie Special Edition Blu-Ray Disc is presented in widescreen with English 5.1 DTS HD Lossless Audio, English and French Mono and includes English, French and Spanish subtitles. Bonus features include:

· Commentary by actors Adam West and Burt Ward
· Commentary by screenwriter Lorenzo Semple, Jr.
· Isolated Score Track 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio (Lossless)
· All-new high-definition featurettes:
o Batman: A Dynamic Legacy
o Caped Crusaders: A Heroes Tribute
o Gotham City’s Most Wanted
· 2001 35th Anniversary Piece Featuring Interviews with Adam West and Burt Ward
· The Batmobile Revealed with George Barris
· The Batmobile Interactive Tour – A 360 Degree Navigational Tour
· BATMAN on Location: Mapping the Movie
· Holy Pop-Up Trivia Track, Batman!
· Original Teaser and Theatrical Trailers
· Galleries:
o From the Vaults of Adam West
o Interactive Pressbook
o Posters
o Production Stills
o Behind the Scenes
o Premiere

Synopsis
The four greatest super-criminals of The United Underworld - The Catwoman, The Joker, The Riddler and The Penguin – combine forces to dispose of Batman and Robin as they launch their fantastic plot to control the entire world. Can the dynamic duo stop The United Underworld before it’s too late?


BATMAN: THE MOVIE SPECIAL EDITION BLU-RAY DISC
Street Date: July 1, 2008
Pre-book Date: June 4, 2008
DVD Price: $39.98 U.S. / $49.98 Canada
Limited Edition
Batmobile: $59.98 U.S.
Catalog #: 2252370
Total Running Time: 105 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Closed Captioned: Yes
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post #2 of 54
3/25/08 at 12:00pm

Re: TCFHE Press Release: BATMAN: The Movie Special Edition (Blu-ray)

I seem to remember that it wasn't long before this title was $5.50 at Target after it was initially released on DVD, so a $39.98/59.98 list price is almost as campy as the movie itself.
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post #3 of 54
3/25/08 at 12:09pm

Re: TCFHE Press Release: BATMAN: The Movie Special Edition (Blu-ray)

gee this is first on their plate???
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post #4 of 54
3/25/08 at 12:16pm

Re: TCFHE Press Release: BATMAN: The Movie Special Edition (Blu-ray)

post removed
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post #5 of 54
3/25/08 at 12:17pm

Re: TCFHE Press Release: BATMAN: The Movie Special Edition (Blu-ray)

It's a little pricey but this is Fox so its not unexpected. Very happy to see the extras are in HD.
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post #6 of 54
3/25/08 at 1:30pm

Re: TCFHE Press Release: BATMAN: The Movie Special Edition (Blu-ray)

And my used or not at all policy on Fox Blu-Ray releases continues! Keep up the good work, gents! Plenty of reasonably priced catalog titles from Disney, Sony, Lionsgate, and Warner will just have to tide me over.
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post #7 of 54
3/25/08 at 2:02pm

Re: TCFHE Press Release: BATMAN: The Movie Special Edition (Blu-ray)

This one is a bargain bin regular on DVD. Pass.

I'd much rather see the series on DVD than this.
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post #8 of 54
3/25/08 at 4:53pm

Re: TCFHE Press Release: BATMAN: The Movie Special Edition (Blu-ray)

Yeah, $39.98 is high, but that's the MSRP, so it'll undoubtedly be cheaper than that if you know where to look (hint: NOT Best Buy). I've gotta say, that's an impressive array of supplements, and the lossless DTS HD Master 5.1 isolated music track should be sweeeeeeet.
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post #9 of 54
3/25/08 at 6:55pm

Re: TCFHE Press Release: BATMAN: The Movie Special Edition (Blu-ray)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Craig Beam
Yeah, $39.98 is high, but that's the MSRP, so it'll undoubtedly be cheaper than that if you know where to look (hint: NOT Best Buy). I've gotta say, that's an impressive array of supplements, and the lossless DTS HD Master 5.1 isolated music track should be sweeeeeeet.

Yes but a $39.98 MSRP means that at best it will be $29. Anything over $25 and for the most part I'll wait for a BOGO sale.

Doug
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post #10 of 54
3/25/08 at 7:09pm

Re: TCFHE Press Release: BATMAN: The Movie Special Edition (Blu-ray)

I might spring for the limited edition. The price is not too bad considering it's a BD and a 1:18 scale 1966 Batmobile (die-cast vehicles can be pricey)......besides, it can go with a couple of other 1:18 scale Batmobiles I have ( one from the 1989 film and another from Batman Begins).
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post #11 of 54
3/25/08 at 7:11pm

Re: TCFHE Press Release: BATMAN: The Movie Special Edition (Blu-ray)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Joseph J.D
I might spring for the limited edition. The price is not too bad considering it's a BD and a 1:18 scale 1966 Batmobile (die-cast vehicles can be pricey)......besides, it can go with a couple of other 1:18 scale Batmobiles I have ( one from the 1989 film and another from Batman Begins).

Now that is surely tempting. I saw the original Batmobile at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale a few months ago. I was in kid heaven!

Doug
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post #12 of 54
3/25/08 at 7:20pm

Re: TCFHE Press Release: BATMAN: The Movie Special Edition (Blu-ray)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick Graham
And my used or not at all policy on Fox Blu-Ray releases continues! Keep up the good work, gents! Plenty of reasonably priced catalog titles from Disney, Sony, Lionsgate, and Warner will just have to tide me over.

If that isnt the truth! I will be happy with my DVD until this thing goes on sale. Lets see...i paid 27 for a 5 disc Blade Runner (ok, 3 discs were blu), and yet FOX expects that to be the best price, on a single disc, that most of us can find. Minus a sale of course.
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post #13 of 54
3/25/08 at 7:26pm

Re: TCFHE Press Release: BATMAN: The Movie Special Edition (Blu-ray)

Since we're on the topic of the Batmobile... has the extra "The Batmobile Revealed with George Barris" been shown before? I have this nagging memory in the back of my head telling me I've seen it before.
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post #14 of 54
3/25/08 at 7:29pm

Re: TCFHE Press Release: BATMAN: The Movie Special Edition (Blu-ray)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris S
Since we're on the topic of the Batmobile... has the extra "The Batmobile Revealed with George Barris" been shown before? I have this nagging memory in the back of my head telling me I've seen it before.

I think its on the original disc.
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post #15 of 54
3/26/08 at 3:49am

Re: TCFHE Press Release: BATMAN: The Movie Special Edition (Blu-ray)

I'm going for the limited edition. This was one of my favorite movies as a kid, and I still have a soft spot for it, and all of the hype and memorabilia surrounding it.
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post #16 of 54
3/26/08 at 7:00am

Re: TCFHE Press Release: BATMAN: The Movie Special Edition (Blu-ray)

Just got a Panny BD30 and am now able to enjoy DTS-HD MA lossless (what a difference it makes for Hairspray!) so Fox titles have a sort of renewed interest for me.

Quote:
And my used or not at all policy on Fox Blu-Ray releases continues! Keep up the good work, gents! Plenty of reasonably priced catalog titles from Disney, Sony, Lionsgate, and Warner will just have to tide me over.

Agreed. I go to B.B. to see what's available and what peeks my interest on the shelf... then if it's an overpriced FOX title I go back and search for it used at Amazon.com to purchase!
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post #17 of 54
3/26/08 at 11:55am

Re: TCFHE Press Release: BATMAN: The Movie Special Edition (Blu-ray)

Count me in as someone who thinks this should look darn good in high def, provided Fox does the transfer right. From what I recall, there's a huge palette of color to take advantage of the (then) new color televisions. Hopefully, this one is going to pop right off the screen.
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post #18 of 54
3/26/08 at 12:38pm

Re: TCFHE Press Release: BATMAN: The Movie Special Edition (Blu-ray)

I have to admit that I haven´t seen this Batman-film. Is it any good? Since it seems to be loaded with extras, it probably could be one option for blind buy..
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post #19 of 54
3/26/08 at 12:51pm

Re: TCFHE Press Release: BATMAN: The Movie Special Edition (Blu-ray)

Don't get too excited about the quality of the isolated score. It seems this was prepared for Fox in MONO (like the FSM CD of a few years ago) and encoded with usual DVD compression so the 5.1 (DTS etc) mix MAY be a mis-print. It's being looked into apparently...
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post #20 of 54
3/26/08 at 12:52pm

Re: TCFHE Press Release: BATMAN: The Movie Special Edition (Blu-ray)

Quote:
I have to admit that I haven´t seen this Batman-film.
Ever see the TV show? Ever see the third season of Lost in Space? Ever see any "campy" TV show? Then you've seen the movie.
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post #21 of 54
3/26/08 at 1:18pm

Re: TCFHE Press Release: BATMAN: The Movie Special Edition (Blu-ray)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jari K
I have to admit that I haven´t seen this Batman-film. Is it any good? Since it seems to be loaded with extras, it probably could be one option for blind buy..

Batman: The Movie is not something I would recommend anyone blind-buy. 60s camp is very much a love it or hate it kind of thing, in my opinion. If you haven't seen any of the material RobertR mentions, your best bet would be to buy or rent the bargain bin SD DVD first.
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post #22 of 54
3/26/08 at 1:27pm

Re: TCFHE Press Release: BATMAN: The Movie Special Edition (Blu-ray)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul Arnette
Batman: The Movie is not something I would recommend anyone blind-buy. 60s camp is very much a love it or hate it kind of thing, in my opinion. If you haven't seen any of the material RobertR mentions, your best bet would be to buy or rent the bargain bin SD DVD first.

Well, I love American TV-stuff from the 50s-60s and camp is just fine for me. I usually rent only films that I don´t want to own and IF the film is released on SD DVD and Blu-ray, I always choose Blu-ray..

Well, we´ll see..
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post #23 of 54
3/27/08 at 9:27pm

Re: TCFHE Press Release: BATMAN: The Movie Special Edition (Blu-ray)

I'm surprised by some of the reaction for this disc. Yeah, it's a bargain bin movie. But this movie should rock in HD -- I remember popping in the regular DVD and being astounded at how well the colors were remastered. I think this movie will really translate well to Blu-Ray. The movie isn't great, there were a ton of better episodes, but it will definitely look good. And say what you will about Julie Newmar, but Lee Meriweather is infinitely hotter... although sexy, Eartha Kitt wins hands down.

Now if only they would release the show on DVD so I can retire my poor bootlegs. I've been a huge comic fan since I was 10 or so, and while the 60's show was before my time, I have fond memories and really like watching them. I don't think about them as "the comic" I just watch them as fun. It is what it is.

Doug
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post #24 of 54
3/28/08 at 6:25am

Re: TCFHE Press Release: BATMAN: The Movie Special Edition (Blu-ray)

I put the SD version in my PS3 the other night and watched it upconverted. It did look astoundingly good (so sharp you could see the wrinkles in the sky backdrop for the studio water tank shots), but the movie is so poor (gussied up with lots of Bat-vehicles, but the plot is meager and the humor missing) that I'm afraid this version will have to do for me.

I bought it originally just because the TV series wasn't available, and this had all the familiar actors and sets from the show to bring back fond memories.
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post #25 of 54
3/28/08 at 6:57am

Re: TCFHE Press Release: BATMAN: The Movie Special Edition (Blu-ray)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Doug Miller
I'm surprised by some of the reaction for this disc. Yeah, it's a bargain bin movie.

And when you get right down to it that is my biggest issue with this disc in terms of price. Here you have a really fantastic set of supplements, I won't argue with that, but you've paired them with a mediocre movie and already conditioned your customers to view it that way to a certain extent by giving it a bargain basement price when released on SD DVD. Meanwhile, argueably more worthy, and certainly more popular, titles like Predator get stuck with a comparatively bare-bones release. I'll buy this title when it reaches a price-point I can live, which, for me, is $20 or less.

I'm glad to see Fox is taking a turn for the better in terms of extras with Batman: The Movie and The Sand Pebbles, but there are still many things that perplex me about their decision making.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Doug Miller
And say what you will about Julie Newmar, but Lee Meriweather is infinitely hotter... although sexy, Eartha Kitt wins hands down.

Oh, no you didn't. See, right here I know we have irreconcilable differences:

Julie Newmar > Lee Meriwether > Eartha Kit

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post #26 of 54
3/30/08 at 4:40pm

Re: TCFHE Press Release: BATMAN: The Movie Special Edition (Blu-ray)

Does the $60 edition at least come with a tank of gas for the Batmobile?
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post #27 of 54
3/30/08 at 5:03pm

Re: TCFHE Press Release: BATMAN: The Movie Special Edition (Blu-ray)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric F
Does the $60 edition at least come with a tank of gas for the Batmobile?
Nah. The thing used "atomic batteries".
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post #28 of 54
4/2/08 at 10:58am

Re: TCFHE Press Release: BATMAN: The Movie Special Edition (Blu-ray)

Cover art up at tvshowsondvd.com

Batman DVD news: Box Art for Batman: The Movie (1966) on Blu-ray Disc | TVShowsOnDVD.com

I like it.
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post #29 of 54
4/2/08 at 11:39am

Re: TCFHE Press Release: BATMAN: The Movie Special Edition (Blu-ray)

Nope, not a fan. It doesn't hold true to the spirit of the film inside. Oh well, we buy the discs to watch the movies, not look at cover art.
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post #30 of 54
4/2/08 at 11:55am

Re: TCFHE Press Release: BATMAN: The Movie Special Edition (Blu-ray)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jason_V
Nope, not a fan. It doesn't hold true to the spirit of the film inside. Oh well, we buy the discs to watch the movies, not look at cover art.
Have to agree about the cover art.
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