Warner Home Video Announces New Moratoriums For 2009
(August 6, 2009 – Burbank, CA) - Warner Home Video has announced a moratorium initiative that will see North American sales on three best-selling titles frozen for the last four months of the year. The moratorium begins September 4 and includes Video-on-Demand, Electronic Sell Through and all digital delivery. The titles will then be re-introduced at various dates throughout 2010 in new editions celebrating a confluence of events: anniversaries, stunning remasterings, and spectacular new Blu-ray debuts.
The titles include:
• “Caddyshack” (anticipating the first Blu-ray release for its 30th anniversary)
“Caddyshack” did for golf what “Animal House” did for college fraternities and “Police Academy” did for law enforcement. Starring Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield and Ted Knight, with Harold Ramis directing, the movie was included in the AFI’s lists of top comedies and sports films, and has sold more than 3 million videos, to date.
• “The Exorcist” (anticipating the first Blu-ray release and Special Edition DVD)
The film that reinvented the horror genre, “The Exorcist” delivered a cultural earthquake that is still felt today, shocking and enthralling audiences. Directed by William Friedkin and written by William Peter Blatty (from his best-selling novel), “The Exorcist” won two Academy Awards® with another 8 nominations and inspired an entire franchise of sequels and prequels.
• “Doctor Zhivago” (anticipating the first Blu-ray release for its 45th anniversary)
David Lean’s landmark film, winner of five Academy Awards, represents epic moviemaking at its best and is one of the top ten U.S. grossing films of all time (#8, adjusted for inflation). With its gripping story, brilliant cinematography, magnificent locations, one of the most memorable music scores in history and stellar cast, “Doctor Zhivago” appeals to movie lovers of all ages. (“Doctor Zhivago” is currently on moratorium.)
Stated Jeff Baker, WHV’s Executive VP and General Manager, Theatrical Catalog: “As the saying goes, ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder.’ We know film fans will be eagerly awaiting the return in 2010 of these iconic films. And we’re going to make it worth the wait, with beautiful remastered prints, recovered previously lost footage, and exciting new bonus content all with the latest Blu-ray technology.”
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.
About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment's home video, digital distribution, interactive entertainment/videogames, direct-to-DVD production, technical operations and anti-piracy businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. WBHEG is responsible for the global distribution of content through DVD, electronic sell-through and VOD, and delivery of theatrical content to wireless and online channels, and is also a significant worldwide publisher for both internal and third party videogame titles. # # #