WHV Press Release: Papillon (Blu-ray)

The Greatest Escape Of All Time Makes Its Long-Awaited

Blu-ray™ Debut On May 24 from Warner Home Video

PAPILLON

Including a 32-Page Collectible Blu-ray Book

Burbank, Calif. January 24, 2011 – It's the greatest escape! Golden Globe®-nominee Steve McQueen (Papillon, 1974) and Academy Award®-winner Dustin Hoffman (Rain Man, 1988; Kramer vs. Kramer, 1979) team for the spectacular true-life adventure of the man who defied “inescapable” Devil's Island. Presented by Warner Home Video, Papillon (1973) arrives on Blu-ray Disc™ for the very first time with a collectible 32-page Blu-ray Book featuring fascinating film information, archival photos, and an examination of the controversy surrounding the film. Orders are due April 19 (SRP $34.99).  

Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner (Patton, Planet of the Apes), and based on a bestselling book, Papillon is a true story about French ex-convict Henri Charriére – a petty criminal who is unjustly convicted of murder, and his constant struggle to escape to freedom from the brutal French penal system in Guiana's infamous Devil's Island. The film is considered to be one Steve McQueen’s more compelling performances, a nuanced portrayal of a tortured and tormented soul, representing a departure from his usual “cool guy” roles. Papillon is a thrilling film that also gives combined hope and courage, making for very compelling entertainment.  

ABOUT THE FILM

“One of the greatest behind-bars movies ever.”

- Clark Collis, Empire Magazine

They called him “Papillon,” meaning butterfly. If only he had wings to go with the name. Unable to fly, Henri Charriére virtually willed himself free. He persisted until he did the impossible: escape Devil’s Island. Shot in Spain and Jamaica, Schaffner’s film version of Papillon united two stars at key career junctures. After a decade of fine work in The Great Escape, The Sand Pebbles and Bullitt, Steve McQueen found in Charriére another ideal tough-guy role. Coming off The Graduate, Midnight Cowboyand Little Big Man, Dustin Hoffman again distinguished himself as Dega, Charriére’s scruffy friend.

Special Features:

Vintage Featurette: The Magnificent Rebel.

Note: All enhanced content is subject to change.

CONSUMER DEMAND FOR BLU-RAY CONTINUES TO SURGE

According to DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group, with input from all major motion picture studios, leading consumer electronics manufacturers, IT companies and tracking sources, Blu-ray software sales rose 68 percent in 2010 to $1.8 billion.

Blu-ray Disc playback devices – including set-top box and game consoles – sold through more than 28.5 million units since launch. Some six million devices sold in the fourth quarter alone, bringing total units sold to 11.25 million in calendar 2010, according to numbers compiled by the DEG with input from retail tracking sources.

The DEG estimates that more than 91 million HDTV sets have sold to consumers bringing the number of HDTV households to nearly 56 million. The DEG further estimates that nearly 39 percent of these households have more than one set.

Blu-ray Disc offers resolution six times higher than standard definition DVDs, as well as extraordinarily vibrant contrast and color and beautifully crisp sound. The format also provides a higher level of interactivity, with instant access to extra features via a seamless menu bar where viewers can enjoy features without leaving or interrupting the film.

For more information: http://warnerblu.warnerbros.com/.

Papillon (1973)

Blu-ray Disc™

MPAA Rating: PG

Runtime: 151 minutes

Language: English

Street Date: May 24, 2011

Order Due Date: April 19, 2011

Cat/UPC: 1000181476 / 883929172764

$34.99 SRP

About Warner Home Video

With operations in 90 international territories, Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, a division of the Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video's film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Home Video and New Line Home Entertainment.

Oh my goodness.  Nearly fell out of my chair this

morning when this press release arrived.

I have been talking about this film over the past

few weeks and the fact that I would love to see a

Blu-ray release.

Warner made an exceptional choice of giving this

film the digibook Blu-ray treatment.  Bravo!

Will post the cover art as soon as we receive it.

Oh yeah.

Next to The Great Escape and Little Big Man, it's my favorite McQueen and Hoffman movie

For those, like myself, who felt the initial offering price was too

high, Papillon has just dropped down to below $20

Just bought it!