“Being There 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition” Peter Sellers’ Quirky Comedy Classic Debuts February 3 On DVD And Blu-ray Hi-Def From Warner Home Video

(October 13, 2008 – Burbank, CA) – On February 3, Warner Home Video celebrates the 30th Anniversary of “Being There” -- director Hal Ashby (“Coming Home,” “Shampoo”) and writer Jerzy Kosinski’s tour-de-force satirical fable that takes on politics, celebrity and the media – with a 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition. Starring Peter Sellers (“Pink Panther” franchise), Melvyn Douglas, Shirley MacLaine and Jack Warden, the witty and quirky black comedy was nominated for two Academy Awards® (for Sellers and Douglas) and won one for Douglas as Best Supporting Actor. “Being There 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition” will be available on both Blu-ray Hi-Def ($28.99 SRP) and Standard DVD ($19.96 SRP). Order due date is December 30. The Blu-ray Hi-Def version of “Being There 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition” boasts special bonus content including 10 minutes of never-before-seen additional footage consisting of deleted scenes, a gag takes, and an alternate ending. Both versions, restored and remastered with 5.1 Dolby Digital audio, include a revealing new retrospective featurette with Melvyn Douglas’ actress-granddaughter Ileana Douglas. “I’m very proud to have participated in this beautiful new DVD version of ‘Being There,’” said Ms. Douglas. “My grandfather and Peter Sellers had a very warm and special relationship that started years before the movie and is definitely reflected throughout in their scenes together,” she continued. In the featurette, Ms. Douglas, who visited the set as a young girl, speaks revealingly about the movie, her bond with her grandfather and his encouragement and support in her choice to become an actress. In fact, the elder Douglas bequeathed his Oscar® statuette to her. “We are taking every opportunity to differentiate Blu-ray Hi-Def from standard DVD,” said Jeff Baker, WHV Executive VP and General Manager for Theatrical Catalog. “Providing these 10 ‘golden’ minutes on Blu-ray Hi-Def should provide the consumer stimulus to step up to the hi-def version.” Synopsis After “Being There” was published, author Jerzy Kosinski got a telegram from its lead character, Chance the Gardener: “Available in my garden or outside of it.” Kosinski dialed the accompanying telephone number and Peter Sellers answered. Sellers indeed got the part and gave an indelible performance (scoring National Board of Review and Golden Globe® Best Actor Awards and an Academy Award® nomination) in this modern comedy classic. Isolated all his life in a Washington, DC, townhouse, Chance knows only what he’s seen on TV. Cast into the world, he stumbles into the inner circle of political power brokers (including Melvyn Douglas in his second Oscar®-winning role) eager for “sage wisdom.” As Chance might say, you’ll like to watch. Special Features: • Featurette: “Memories from Being There with Illeana Douglas”
• Theatrical trailer Additional Special Features Exclusive to Blu-ray Hi-Def: • Additional scenes
• Alternate ending
• Gag take Note: All enhanced content listed above is subject to change. With operations in 90 international territories, Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, 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.