SPHE Press Release: The Natural (Blu-ray)

“Redford, who played baseball at the University of Colorado, gives an appropriately iconic performance”

-TV Guide

JUST IN TIME FOR MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL,

SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT (SPHE)

CELEBRATES A BASEBALL FILM CLASSIC

THE NATURAL

Robert Redford, Robert Duvall Glenn Close and Kim Basinger Star;

Includes SPHE’s Groundbreaking movieIQ+Sync Features

Available on Blu-ray Disc™ April 6

 CULVER CITY, CALIF. (March 17, 2010) -- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will launch the Oscar®-nominated baseball classic THE NATURAL April 6^th on high definition Blu-ray in its original theatrical version.

One of the all-time greatest sports movies – and arguably THE most influential baseball film – THE NATURAL, nominated for four Academy Awards® (Best Supporting Actress, Glenn Close; Best Art Direction; Best Cinematography; Best Music, Original Score, Randy Newman) and a Golden Globe Award, is a moving and inspirational piece of cinema and is the perfect opportunity for fathers to introduce their sons to America’s pastime as baseball celebrates its 140^th anniversary! 

THE NATURAL delivers a magical story about life, good vs. evil, fathers and sons and a baseball player overcoming the odds. The award-winning cast--Robert Redford, Robert Duvall, Glenn Close, Kim Basinger--beautiful cinematography and moving musical score all align to make this movie a sports cinema classic.

The Blu-ray™ of THE NATURAL incorporates a host of special features including a three-part behind-the-scenes look at the “Making of…” and MovieIQ+sync gives you the full movieIQ experience on your computer or iPhone by linking to your Blu-ray disc. Once connected, movieIQ+sync will display all of the great information movieIQ offers on your computer screen or iPhone instead of onscreen, all while staying synchronized to the movie! 

A Tri-Star Pictures film, THE NATURAL will be available on Blu-ray Disc for $24.95.

SYNOPSIS:  THE NATURAL

Nothing was going to stop Roy Hobbs from fulfilling his boyhood dream of baseball superstardom. Robert Redford stars in this inspiring fable that begins when 14-year-old Hobbs (Redford) fashions a powerful bat from a fallen oak tree. He soon impresses major league scouts with his ability, fixing his extraordinary talent in the mind of sportswriter Max Mercy (Robert Duvall), who eventually becomes instrumental in Hobb's career. But a meeting with a mysterious woman shatters his dream. Years pass and an older Hobbs reappears as a rookie from The New York Knights. Overcoming physical pain and defying those who have a stake in seeing the Knights lose, Hobbs, with his boyhood bat, has his chance to lead the Knights to the pennant and to finally fulfill his dream.

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE:`

●When Lightning Strikes:  Creating The Natural

  Pre-Game:  A Novelist Steps Up To The Plate

  The Line-Up:  Assembling The Moviemaking Team

  Let's Play Ball:  Filming The Show

●Clubhouse Conversations

●A Natural Gunned Down:  The Stalking of Eddie Waitkus

●Knights in Shining Armor:  The Mythology of The Natural

●Extra Innings

●Heart of The Natural

The Natural has a running time of approximately 138 minutes. The film is rated PG.  Artwork and digital clips are available for download at www.sphepublicity.com.  Visit Sony Home Entertainment Pictures on the Web at www.SonyPictures.com.

Academy Award^®" and "Oscar^®" are the registered trademarks and service marks of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Blu-ray Disc