Everyone is jumping on the bandwagon to capitalize on this summer's release of the forthcoming Batman feature film, The Dark Knight. Fox will release a new special edition DVD of the 1966 Batman feature film that starred Adam West and Burt Ward, as well as an all-star cast of villains. A previous special DVD edition has been on the market for years, but the new release will have an abundance of exclusive extras. It's clear the studios are trying to provide incentives for consumers to adapt to the Blu-ray system by releasing editions such as this exclusively in that format. Additionally, there will be a limited edition release of this title that includes a Batmobile replica. No box art has been finalized, but here is the official press release that Cinema Retro just received from Fox:
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
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
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
· 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
